The letter expresses widespread concerns over the proposal to scrap the 33-year-long LIFE Programme in the next long-term EU budget (the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034). LIFE, the only EU funding instrument dedicated exclusively to nature and climate, would be absorbed into two broader funds, with no earmarked financing [1]. At the same time, the Commission has proposed removing the existing 10% budget-wide spending target for biodiversity, prompting questions about the future prioritisation of nature-related funding within the EU budget. 

The signatories urge the European institutions to maintain LIFE as a stand-alone funding programme, with a dedicated and predictable budget in the 2028-2034 period. This is another powerful plea to those leading the budget negotiations, after Environment Ministers voiced concerns about the lack of a dedicated instrument for biodiversity, such as LIFE, during the Environment Council on 21 October.  

“Preserving LIFE as it currently exists would be in line with the demands of European citizens expressed at the Conference on the Future of Europe and the recent Citizens' Panel on the Multiannual Financial Framework, which specifically called for strengthened action on nature, biodiversity, pollution reduction, sustainable food, and clean energy,” reads the letter.  

The letter first gathered broad support from Italian stakeholders but quickly gained Europe-wide traction, as LIFE remains key funding source for local and regional entities leading pioneering projects on climate action, environmental protection, and clean energy transition. Up to date, LIFE has funded over 6,000 projects supporting nature restoration, climate adaptation, and community resilience.  

Beate Aikens, Senior Advocacy Officer at WWF European Policy Office, says: “Ending the LIFE programme and dropping the 10% biodiversity spending target in the next long-term EU budget is a profoundly damaging choice. It guts the EU’s ability to protect and restore nature at the very moment when Europeans are facing escalating heatwaves, floods and wildfires. More than 800 signatories have made it clear: Europe cannot sideline nature in the next EU budget and dedicated funding for nature is essential to protect Europe’s future.” 

As the Council reviews the Commission’s proposals for the next long-term EU budget and Parliament sets its course, calls to continue LIFE as a standalone programme with a dedicated budget are gaining momentum. The coming weeks will test whether EU institutions are prepared to address the concerns raised by a broad range of stakeholders across Europe.  

Notes to editors: 

[1] The Commission proposed to discontinue LIFE and split it into two broader funding mechanisms: the EU Facility within national spending plans and the European Competitiveness Fund. On top of that, the Commission proposes to drop the current budget-wide 10% spending allocation for biodiversity, further weakening the EU’s commitment to funding nature.