Posted on March, 13 2025

WWF calls to significantly increase funding for nature and biodiversity under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) by introducing a new dedicated nature restoration fund and more biodiversity mainstreaming. This should be combined with and built on the LIFE programme that has been a cornerstone for biodiversity action for the past three decades. The position paper outlines why the LIFE programme remains crucial and what could be done to enhance its impact.

LIFE helps strengthen the EU´s resilience and preparedness in the face of climate change impacts. Nature conservation and restoration projects under LIFE contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss and to maintaining healthy ecosystems on which societies and economies fundamentally depend. In particular nature restoration projects often provide significant co-benefits to other EU policy goals such as climate adaptation and mitigation. 

LIFE has proven particularly successful in fostering partnerships, dialogue and collaboration between various stakeholders such as farmers, fishers and conservationists. It is a catalyst for innovation and best practices and incentivises on-the ground solutions, tailored to local and regional contexts. 

It is a highly effective and efficient tool to facilitate the implementation of the EU`s environmental and climate legislation. Many Member States depend on it to comply with EU legislation. 

For the next MFF, WWF recommends to maintain and strengthen the LIFE programme by:

• Putting a stronger focus on nature-based solutions and biodiversity protection mainstreaming across the different sub-programmes, which remain relevant in the future.
• Enhancing accessibility of funding for stakeholders.
• Enhancing civil society participation in the development and implementation of EU policies by providing operating grants for non-profit making entities.
• Putting in place a dedicated nature restoration fund to scale up innovation and best practices from LIFE and to support the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law. Broader nature protection measures that support the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy should be eligible for funding as well.