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The European Commission has opened the 2026 LIFE Programme calls, making €601.5 million available to support projects in environment, climate action and clean energy transition. With key deadlines in September 2026, organisations have a limited window to position projects and secure funding under one of the EU’s most compelling programmes.
The LIFE Programme remains a strategic instrument for organisations seeking to scale innovative solutions, demonstrate environmental impact and align with EU regulatory priorities.
Overview of the life programme
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s primary instrument for funding environmental and climate action and plays a central role in delivering the European Green Deal. It supports initiatives aimed at tackling biodiversity loss, accelerating the transition to a circular economy, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Compared to other EU funding instruments, LIFE is particularly suited for first-of-a-kind, pilot or demonstrator projects, as well as initiatives addressing regulatory, market or behavioural barriers.
Proposal preparation
The LIFE Programme provides a strong opportunity for organisations developing innovative environmental and climate solutions, particularly where projects align closely with EU policy priorities and demonstrate measurable impact.
However, participation requires careful preparation. Proposals must clearly articulate their contribution to EU objectives, present robust impact indicators, and demonstrate the potential for replication. In addition, selecting the appropriate funding instrument and structuring an effective consortium are critical to success.
Structure and scope of funding
The 2026 calls are structured across four sub-programmes, each targeting specific EU priorities and supported by dedicated budgets:
1. Nature and Biodiversity (~ €173.5M)
This strand focuses on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection and implementation of EU nature legislation (e.g. Natura 2000). It includes both standard projects and larger Strategic Nature Projects supporting national biodiversity frameworks.
2. Circular Economy and Quality of Life (~ €85.5M)
Projects under this pillar aim to accelerate the transition to a resource-efficient and pollution-free economy, covering areas such as waste recovery, water management, air quality, soil protection and chemical safety.
3. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (~€60M)
This sub-programme supports initiatives reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience. Typical projects include low-carbon technologies, sustainable land use, and adaptation to extreme climate events, with additional funding for Strategic Integrated Projects implementing national climate strategies.
4. Clean Energy Transition (~€85.5M)
This pillar focuses on market uptake rather than infrastructure investments, supporting actions that remove barriers to energy transition. Key 2026 topics include:
- Development of local heating and cooling plans
- Accelerating building renovation markets
- Supporting industrial energy transition
- Digitalisation of energy systems
- One-stop-shops for building renovation and urban affordability solutions
Funding in this area is typically provided through Coordination and Support Actions, targeting capacity building, financing frameworks and stakeholder engagement.
Across all strands, EU co-financing generally ranges from 60% to 70%, with higher rates (up to 95%) for specific project types or beneficiaries. Eligible costs typically include personnel, subcontracting, equipment and other direct project-related expenses.
Types of supported actions
The LIFE Programme offers several funding instruments depending on project scope and maturity. The most relevant are:
- Standard Action Projects (SAPs): the most common funding scheme, supporting pilot and demonstration projects across all sub-programmes (largest share of budget)
- Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNaPs): larger, multi-annual projects implementing national or regional strategies with significant budgets
- Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs), focusing on enabling frameworks and market development
- Technical Assistance, supporting the preparation of large-scale strategic projects
Eligibility and participation
The programme is open to a wide range of applicants, including public and private legal entities established in the EU, organisations from associated countries, and international organisations. Projects are often submitted by consortia, particularly where large-scale or cross-sectoral impact is targeted, although this is not required for all types of projects (e.g. Standard Action Projects can have a sole beneficiary).
Key deadlines and timeline
The 2026 call follows a structured timeline:
- 3 September 2026: Concept note deadline for Strategic Integrated and Strategic Nature Projects
- 16 September 2026: Clean Energy Transition deadline
- 22 September 2026: Standard Action Projects and Technical Assistance deadline
Given the level of competition, early preparation is essential, particularly for consortium-building and alignment with call priorities.
How EY can support
Navigating the LIFE Programme can be complex, particularly when selecting the appropriate funding scheme, interpreting topic requirements and building a competitive proposal.
EY supports organisations throughout the process, including:
- Strategic fit assessment and call targeting
- Project structuring and consortium development
- Preparation of high-impact proposals aligned with evaluation criteria
With deadlines approaching in September 2026, organisations should act now to secure their position and maximise their chances of success.