Appreciating LIFE
The Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC) and the Malta Business Bureau, which represents the FOI, the Chamber of Commerce and MHRA, organised a well attended half-day seminar entitled 'Appreciating LIFE - a guide to EU funding for environment-related...
The Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC) and the Malta Business Bureau, which represents the FOI, the Chamber of Commerce and MHRA, organised a well attended half-day seminar entitled 'Appreciating LIFE - a guide to EU funding for environment-related projects', on June 16.
First launched in 1992, LIFE (the financial instrument for the environment) is one of the leading financial spearheads of the EU's environment policy. The LIFE programme foresees the possibility of financing special projects aimed at supporting the development of new environment-related initiatives, as well as the implementation, enhancement and technological updating of existing ones.
The LIFE programme consists of three thematic components: LIFE Nature, LIFE Environment and LIFE-Third countries. LIFE co-finances environmental initiatives in the EU and certain third countries bordering on the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea, and candidate countries that are eligible for participation in the LIFE programme.
Projects submitted for LIFE co-funding should respond to specific needs. Thus, LIFE-Environment Demonstration projects should target land-use development and planning, water management, the reduction of the environmental impact of productive economic activities, waste management initiatives and the reduction of the environment impact of products through an integrated product policy.
Preparatory project themes for 2005 and 2006 are focused on climate change (including greenhouse gas emission trading) and alternative clean technologies.
In his opening address, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment George Pullicino explained that Malta can now benefit from all strands of the LIFE programme.
Emanuel Borg, the LIFE III Projects national co-ordinator at the MRAE provided a comprehensive overview of the LIFE programme.
Jose Luis Munoz Bonet, advisor to the director general of the Valencia Region Representation office in Brussels, focused on the success of the Valencia Region in tapping funding under LIFE and other EU programmes. Mr Munoz Bonet, who is responsible for the drafting of project submissions under the LIFE programme and other EU funds, stated that in 2004, 40 per cent of all LIFE-Environment funding obtained by successful Spanish bidders was awarded to Valencia-based operators.
Orland Bonavia of Nature Trust (Malta) then outlined the Dwejra Life Project, which is being carried out with the assistance of funding tapped successfully under the LIFE programme.