FUNDING

This section gives an overview of the most common EU funding programmes. It must be noted that from 2007, a modified scheme and new programmes replace the previous EU funding structure and several Community programmes. The new funding scheme consists of five Budgetary Headings representing the EU’s main objectives:

The different funding opportunities, referring to the five Budgetary headings above, are presented as follows.

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)

The Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7) is the European Union’s main instrument for funding research in Europe. FP7, which applies to the years 2007-2013, is the natural successor to the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), and is the result of years of consultation with the scientific community, research and policy making institutions, and other interested parties.
The FP7 is structured in 4 programmes:

  1. Cooperation
  2. Ideas
  3. People
  4. Capacities
Each programme is divided into several thematic areas and activities, as shown in the following scheme:

To check the recently published calls within the different programmes, click here.

Which types of participants can apply?

Participation in FP7 is open to a wide range of organisations and individuals:

The above list is only indicative, not exhaustive.
Different participation rules apply, depending on the research initiative in question.

From which countries?

As a general principle, FP7 is open to participation from any country in the world.

'Work Programmes' and 'Calls for Proposals'

The concrete plans for implementing the Specific Programmes (see above) are announced by the European Commission in annual 'Work Programmes'. These work programmes include the schedule of 'Calls for Proposals', commonly known just as 'Calls', to be published during the year. Each Call usually covers specific research areas, and you may have to wait until the publication of a Call, that covers your exact area of interest.

How will I know when a Call for Proposals is issued?

All Calls are announced in the EU's Official Journal (which is the official source of EU documents). The annual work programmes and the full texts of the Calls are published on the FP7 section of CORDIS, the web site dedicated to EU-supported research. CORDIS is continuously updated with the latest information on Calls for proposals, as well as other information and services related to Community research. CORDIS will help you find information - and plan your proposal.

Though the funding chances cover a wide range of options, those more directly connected to the environmental field are contained in the programme “Cooperation” (the core of FP7 and its largest component) and in particular the following themes:

Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Biotechnology that will fund:

Environment (including climate change) that will fund:

Climate change, pollution and risks
  • Pressures on the environment and climate
  • Environment and health
  • Natural hazards
Sustainable Management of Resources
  • Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources and biodiversity
  • Management of marine environment
Environmental Technologies
  • Environmental technologies for observation, simulation, prevention, mitigation, adaptation, remediation and restoration of the natural and man-made environment
  • Protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, including human habitat improved damage assessment on cultural heritage
  • Technology assessment, verification and testing
Earth observation and assessment tools
  • Earth and ocean observation systems and monitoring methods for the environment and sustainable development
  • Forecasting methods and assessment tools for sustainable development taking into account differing scales of observation

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LIFE+

LIFE+, the new Financial Instrument for the Environment, has entered into force with the publication of the Regulation in the Official Journal L149 of 9 June 2007.
The LIFE+ programme comprises three components:

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity

The Nature & Biodiversity component continues and extends the former LIFE-Nature programme. It will co-finance best practice or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. In addition it will co-finance innovative or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the objectives of Commission Communication (COM (2006) 216 final) "Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond". At least 50% of the LIFE+ budget for project co-financing must be dedicated to LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity projects. Read more.

LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance

The Environment Policy & Governance component continues and extends the former LIFE-Environment strand. It will co-finance projects that contribute to the implementation of Community environmental policy, 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 (including the long-term monitoring of forests and environmental interactions). Read more.

LIFE+ Information & Communication

This new component will co-finance projects that implement communication and awareness raising campaigns on environmental, nature protection or biodiversity conservation issues, as well as projects related to forest fire prevention (awareness raising, special training). Read more.

Call for proposals for LIFE+

LIFE+ Call for proposals are available here.

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INTERREG IVC

The interregional cooperation programme – INTERREG IVC – was officially approved by the European Commission on 11th September 2007 in Brussels and officially launched at the EU Interregional Cooperation Forum to be held on 20 & 21 September 2007 in Lisbon. It is the first of the territorial cooperation programmes to have received approbation. The IVC project is also main vehicle of the networking part of the Regions for economic change initiative.

The programme has a budget of 321 million euro, financed from the European Regional Development fund (ERDF), and provides funding for all regions of the 27 EU Member States plus Switzerland and Norway (regional and local public authorities) to exchange and transfer knowledge and good practice. Two main priorities are targeted: ‘Innovation and Knowledge economy’ and ‘Environment and Risk prevention’. These priorities reflect the strategy of the European Union to encourage growth and jobs in line with the Lisbon and Gothenburg Strategy.

Launched in 2007, the programme will run until 2013.

INTERREG IVC aims, by means of interregional cooperation, to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic modernization and increased competitiveness of Europe, by:

INTERREG IVC follows on from the INTERREG IIIC Programme that ran from 2002-2007. You can download here a presentation showing the main characteristics of the INTERREG IVC Programme, and the differences from INTERREG IIIC.

FIRST CALL FOR PROPOSALS OPEN FOR INTERREG IVC PROGRAMME

The first INTERREG IVC call for proposals was launched on 21st September 2007 and will close on 15th January 2008. It covers the two thematic priorities of the programme: ‘Innovation and knowledge economy’ and ‘Environment and risk prevention’. No specific budget allocation has been set for this first call which is also open to the two types of interventions: "Regional Initiative Projects" and "Capitalisation Projects".

The official text of the 1st call for proposal is available here.

The Application Pack is available for download on this website. Potential applicants should read the Programme Manual carefully before contacting the Secretariat.

Concerning the Regions for Economic Change initiative and the Fast Track networks, further information can be found:

All requests for information should be sent by email to info@interreg4c.net. The secretariat regrets that it is not in a position to take telephone requests at the moment. Individual consultations will be organized over the coming months - more information will be available soon on this website.

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Other opportunities


European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Established in 1975, it aims at:

For the period 2007-2013, the regional programmes for innovative actions will be not be co-financed by structural funds as was the case during last programming period.

Who can apply?

ERDF is aimed at economic regeneration projects promoted by the public sector. This involves: Government departments

  • regional development agencies (RDAs)
  • local authorities
  • further and higher education establishments
  • other public bodies
  • voluntary sector organisations This by no means excludes the private sector, which promotes and helps to fund high quality projects that meet ERDF objectives.

    You can read more about European Regional Development Fund here.

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    European Social Funds (ESF)

    Established in 1958, it aims at helping the expansion of the employment, the promotion of the rate of employment, equal opportunities and supporting the investment in the human resources and in trainings. The new ESF for the period 2007-2013 has four keys areas for action:

    • increasing adaptability of workers and enterprises;
    • enhancing access to employment and particiaption in the labour market;
    • reinforcing social inclusion buy combating discrimination and facilitating access to the labour market for disadvantaged people;
    • promoting partnership for reform in the fields of employment and inclusion.

    Who can apply?

    Any legally constituted organisation (any organisation formed with a legal document such as an agreement or memorandum of association). Organisations will also need to receive some financial support from a public authority. Individuals cannot apply for ESF money.

    You can read more about European Social Fund here.

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    European Agricultural Rural Development Fund (EARDF)

    The European Agricultural Rural Development Fund (EARDF) finances all measures concering rural development.
    This rural development policy consists four axis whereof the first three are objectives and the fourth one is a proposed overall approach:

    • Axis 1: imprivement of the competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry sector through support for restructuring and innvation;
    • Axis 2: improvement of the environment and the countryside through better forms of land management and the conservation of natural resources;
    • Axis 3: improvement of the quality of life in rural areas and promotion of the diversification of the rural economy;
    • Axis 4: the Leader approach may be applied in a wider scale to the three other axis if Member states wish so. This approach has been in use since 1989 and contributes to innovation, employment and growth in rural areas by promoting a local development strategy through a bottom up approach and publc-private partnership.

    You can read more about European Agricultural Rural Development Fund here.

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    European Fund For Fisheries (EFF)

    The European Fund for Fisheries will serve for restructuring of the fisheries sector and the development coastal area dependent of fishing. The fund will focus on a limited number of key areas.

    You can read more about European Fund for Fisheries here.

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    Funding summary

    Click here to view some tables which report a schematic analysis of the Objectives and scope of assistance of the proposed EU funding instruments (from: EU Funding for Environment - A handbook for the 2007–13 programming period, WWF).