Five countries to receive €86 million for environmental resilience

The European Commission has announced €86 million in funding for new Strategic Integrated Projects aimed at fire and flood protection, water quality improvement, and greenhouse gas reduction.

According to the Commission, the funds are being allocated through the LIFE Programme and will support projects in Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Slovenia and Iceland.

The projects were selected under the 2023 calls for proposals and are intended to help national and local governments meet EU climate and environmental targets.

Project details by country and funding breakdown

In Denmark, the LIFE ACT project will involve 27 municipalities working together to lower municipal CO₂ emissions by 75 percent and improve climate resilience along 2,900 km of coastline by 2050.

The total project cost is €28.4 million, with €17 million provided by the EU.

In Estonia, €29.9 million has been awarded to the LIFE SIP WET-EST project, which focuses on improving water quality in the Western Estonian river basin through pollution control and ecosystem restoration.

The EU will provide €17.9 million of the total project budget.

Poland’s funding of €21.9 million, including €13.1 million from the EU, will support regional recycling targets in the Pomorskie Voivodeship.

A coalition of 31 partners, including local government and academic institutions, is aiming to raise recycling to 65 percent and reduce landfill waste to 10 percent by 2035.

Slovenia and Iceland to enhance drought and water management

Slovenia’s LIFE4ADAPT project will receive €26.5 million, including €14.2 million in EU support.

The project will fund the country’s Climate Service Centre and Climate Portal, with a focus on education and risk management to address recurring droughts, forest fires and floods.

In Iceland, the LIFE ICEWATER initiative will bring together municipalities, researchers and public agencies to reduce pressure on water resources and support sustainable use.

The total project cost is €39.6 million, with the EU contributing €23.8 million.

Additional EU funding and LIFE programme context

The Commission also adopted the LIFE Programme work plan for 2025 to 2027, which outlines €2.3 billion in planned funding to support a circular economy, zero pollution, clean energy and biodiversity.

The LIFE Programme is the only dedicated EU funding scheme for climate, environmental and energy objectives and has supported over 6,000 projects since 1992.

Funding for the current Strategic Integrated Projects is part of the wider €5.43 billion LIFE budget set under the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.

EU prepares next round of LIFE calls for 2025

The Commission has announced that the next round of LIFE Programme calls for proposals will open on 24 April 2025.

According to the Commission, virtual information sessions will be held from 13 to 15 May 2025 to assist applicants.

Water resilience was highlighted as a priority in a recent call for evidence, which the Commission said identified widespread degradation and poor water management across the EU.

CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, will continue managing the LIFE Programme and facilitating project implementation.

EU funding backs fire and flood protection projects in Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Slovenia and Iceland: Summary

The European Commission has awarded €86 million under the LIFE Programme for environmental projects in Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Slovenia and Iceland.

The funding will support water quality improvements, emission reductions and climate resilience.

Denmark’s project aims to reduce CO₂ by 75 percent and protect 2,900 km of coastline.

Estonia will improve the Western Estonian river basin.

Poland will target 65 percent recycling and cut landfill waste to 10 percent by 2035.

Slovenia will strengthen drought, fire and flood management.

Iceland will enhance sustainable water use.

The Commission also approved the 2025–2027 LIFE Programme plan with a €2.3 billion budget.

New calls for proposals will launch on 24 April 2025.

CINEA will host virtual sessions in May 2025 to support applicants.