The Commission has recently published a proposal for a new LIFE Programme for the next period (2021-2027). The LIFE programme is the only EU fund exclusively dedicated to the environment and climate action that co-finances small-scale projects with high EU added value. The new proposal for a regulation was based on the result of an Impact Assessment that examined policy options and changes that would increase the catalytic effect of the Programme.

Trinomics, together with Ricardo (lead) assisted the Commission in conducting this impact assessment (the project page can be found here), which led the Commission to propose to increase funding by almost 60% for LIFE, with a budget of €5.45 billion for post-2020 period. The main features of the new Programme proposal are the greater focus on clean energy and nature and biodiversity projects, the continued support to the transition to a circular economy, and its simpler and more flexible design.