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Launched in 1992, LIFE (The Financial Instrument for the Environment) is one of the spearheads of Community environment policy.
LIFE co-finances environmental initiatives in the European Union and certain third countries bordering on the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea and in Central and East European accession candidate countries that have decided to participate in LIFE.
LIFE has been implemented in phases: 400 million euros were allocated for the first phase (1992-1995), approximately 450 millions Euro were allocated for the second phase (1996-1999), the current phase "LIFEIII" (2000-2004) has a budget of 640 million Euro. LIFE III was extended (2005-2006) with a budget of 317 million Euro. The current LIFE III Programme and its extension finished at the end of 2006 and will be succeeded by a new instrument LIFE +.
In the framework of sustainable development, LIFE should contribute to the implementation, development and enhancement of the Community environmental policy and legislation as well as the integration of the environment into other EU policies. LIFE should also lead new solutions facing EU environmental problems being explored.
LIFE is the instrument, which should work towards the implementation of Community policy, defined by the Sixth Action Programme for the Environment based on a practical approach. LIFE is divided into three thematic components (LIFE-Nature, LIFE-Environment and LIFE-Third Countries).
The specific objective of LIFE-Environment is to contribute to the development of innovative techniques and methods by co-financing demonstration projects.
For more information about LIFE, visit the homepage www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life | 
