Brussels time
LIFE is the EU’s funding programme dedicated to the environment and climate action.
This call aims to provide local and regional authorities with the necessary capacity, skills and organisational structures to deliver and implement plans and strategies for the clean energy transition.
Local and regional authorities (LRAs) are a decisive lever for achieving the EU Green Deal objectives, such as the 2030 climate and energy targets as set out in the European Climate Law and the relevant ‘Fit for 55’ legislative revisions, in particular the recast of the Energy Efficiency(EE) and the Renewable Energy(RES) Directives, as well as the climate neutrality objective by 2050. In this context, many municipalities and other public bodies have already committed to such ambitious targets, for instance through the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy initiative. LRAs also have a very relevant role to play in phasing out EU dependence on fossil fuel imports, within the framework of the REPowerEU Plan, and are well-placed to accelerate the implementation of respective/specific initiatives such as the preparation and implementation of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and their updates; the Renovation Wave and mobilisation of investment in clean energy; the Just Transition Mechanism; the preparation of local Heating and Cooling Plans in municipalities; the speed-up of RES permitting processes and the implementation of the EU solar strategy, among others.
In view of this, LRAs need to commit to and effectively plan and implement the clean energy transition in their territories at an unprecedented level of ambition and pace, tailored to the specific geographical, societal or political context. Local and regional planning should focus on measures in the short, medium and longer term that accelerate the clean energy transition in a just manner, ensuring full alignment with relevant EU and national energy and climate legislation, and contributing to the goals that are set in the specific National Energy and Climate Plans.
Proposals should address one or both of the following areas/aspects:
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) and be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
Proposals must be submitted by at least 3 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries.
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1.75 million would allow the specific objectives to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Brussels time