LIFE program (from the French acronym "L'instrument financier pour l'environnement") was created in May 1992 in order to help in the application, updating, and development of Community policy in the field of environment and environmental regulations, particularly in the field of the environment integration with other policies, as well as its sustainable development in the Community.

Defined since its creation as the "diamond point" in the Community environmental policy, it is the instrument used by the European Union to contribute to environmental projects in the Member States. Since 2007 it has taken the name LIFE+.

Projects financed by LIFE+ must comply with the following general requirements:

• to respect priorities laid down by the Community and help in the achievement of the above mentioned goals;
• to be submitted by trustworthy promoters from both the technical and financial point of view;
• to be feasible in both technical and economic terms, realistic as for timeliness, and grant a good cost-benefit ratio.

Covering the period 2007-2013, LIFE+ will provide some e1.7 billion for projects linked to nature conservation, environmental technology and the communication of environmental matters.

LIFE+ has three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance, and LIFE+ Information and Communication.

The European Commission organises annual calls for proposals for projects and, with the help of external experts, will select, revise and monitor the projects and be responsible for making the appropriate payments. Member States forward project proposals to the Commission, may set national priorities and may prepare comments on proposals, in particular in relation to national annual priorities.

Link: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm