The 2013 LIFE+ call for proposals is opening soon!

LIFE+ is the European Union's direct funding programme
for the Environment providing funding opportunities for the conservation of
protected habitats and species, the halt of loss in biodiversity and the
implementation of environmental policy through demonstrative, innovative and
information projects. Environment protection is of crucial importance to the
European Union and LIFE+ is there to provide complementary support to other
funding instruments aimed at protecting our environment.

LIFE+ is subdivided into three distinct strands, thus
a vast array of projects can be implemented. These strands are:

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity, co-finances best
practice or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the
Birds and Habitats Directives. In addition it
also co-finance innovative or demonstration projects that contribute to
the implementation of the objectives of Commission Communication (COM (2011)
244 final) "Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity
strategy to 2020";

LIFE+ Environmental Policy & Governance
specifically aims at contributing to the implementation, updating and
development of EU environmental policy and legislation, the development of
innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments, the
knowledge base as regards environment policy and legislation, and the
monitoring of environmental pressures. This strand covers such projects in the
remit of nature and biodiversity, climate change, water, air, soil, urban
environment, noise, chemicals, environment and health, waste and natural
resources, forests, innovation and strategic approaches as well as the
integration of environment into other policies, thereby contributing to
sustainable development; and

LIFE+ Information & Communication co-finances
information campaigns related to all the environmental aspects mentioned above.
Such proposed projects must seek to raise awareness on environmental issues so
as to achieve a positive change in people's attitude towards the environment.

This fund has a total budget of around €2.143 billion
for the period 2007-2013, with more than €2.6 million as Malta's indicative
national allocation. LIFE+ is open to all bodies that are registered in the EU;
therefore applications could be submitted from the public as well as the private
sector as well as universities, research institutes and environmental NGOs
within the 27 EU Member States. Applications can be submitted by a single
beneficiary or a partnership including a coordinating beneficiary and
one/several associated beneficiaries.

The new application package including applications and
all the related documentation and guidelines, will be available from the
official website being
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm  around mid-February on the launching of the
call.  Furthermore, one can also find a
database listing all the projects that have been funded under LIFE/LIFE+
together with a brief description of the projects as well as links to their
websites on:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm

It is important to note that once again, this year,
the application format is completely electronic, thus one should access the
e-proposal following this link. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eproposalWeb/ .It
is important to note that the call for proposals shall be opening around
mid-February 2013 closing around in the last week of June 2013 after which date
the applicant can no longer access the proposal on the web portal.

An information session in collaboration with MEUSAC
shall be organised on the 1st March 2013, as per invitation attached. If
interested, kindly forward your registration form to Mr Brian Pace who is in
copy. For further information you may wish to set an appointment with the
undersigned where we can discuss project ideas and this funding instrument in
more detail.