The European Commission invests over €358 million in 132 new LIFE projects for environment and climate action

The European Commission has approved funding of over €358 million for 132 new environment and climate action projects across the European Union under the LIFE programme. The funds cover more than half of the total project budget, estimated at over €536 million, with the remainder coming from national, regional and local authorities, as well as business and non-governmental organisations.

LIFE is a key instrument in the EU's transition to a clean, circular and sustainable economy, supporting nature protection, climate change adaptation and innovation in green energy. The new funding will support initiatives in four main directions:

• €147 million for nature and biodiversity;
• €76 million for circular economy and quality of life;
• EUR 58 million for climate resilience and mitigation;
• €77 million for clean energy and energy efficiency.

Bulgaria with active participation in LIFE programme in 2025

According to the latest data from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), Bulgarian organizations are actively participating in the project proposals submitted under the calls for applications in 2025.

In the thematic area Clean Energy Transition (LIFE-2025-CET), Bulgaria demonstrated active participation with 76 applicant organisations, including 9 project coordinators. The total value of the proposals is over EUR 16.5 million, with a requested contribution from the European Union of just over EUR 15.6 million.

In the thematic area of Nature and Biodiversity (LIFE-2025-SAP-NAT), Bulgaria is represented by 18 participants (including 5 coordinators) and a total budget of over EUR 19.2 million, with a requested EU contribution of EUR 12.3 million.

Under the thematic area Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation to a Changing Climate (LIFE-2025-SAP-CLIMA), the country is represented by 18 participants, including 9 coordinators, with a total budget of over €13.4 million and requested EU funding of €8 million.

The Bulgarian participation in the thematic area "Circular Economy and Quality of Life" (LIFE-2025-SAP-ENV) includes 17 participants, including 3 project coordinators. The total budget of the contribution amounts to more than EUR 13.6 million, with the requested co-financing from the European Union amounting to EUR 8.1 million.

As regards projects addressing ad hoc legislative and political priorities (LIFE-2025-PLP), our country participates with 20 project proposals with a total budget of over EUR 1.8 million and requested EU funding of EUR 1.6 million.

You can read more information at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2623