The LIFE Programme is one of the European Union's key funding instruments in the fields of environmental protection and climate action. It has been running since 1992 and supports practical projects aimed at conserving nature and biodiversity, developing the circular economy, reducing pollution, strengthening climate resilience, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and moving towards clean energy. The LIFE Programme budget for 2021-2027 exceeds EUR 5.4 billion, and since its launch the programme has co-financed around 6,500 projects.
Participation in the LIFE Programme is of particular importance for Ukraine. In 2022 Ukraine joined LIFE, which opened the possibility for Ukrainian organisations to take part in the programme's calls as applicants or as partners in international consortia. This creates additional opportunities to attract EU funding in the fields of environmental protection, climate, ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource management and the clean energy transition.
At the same time, Ukrainian organisations already have practical experience of participating in LIFE projects. Since 2016, 30 winning projects with Ukrainian involvement have been supported, engaging more than 60 Ukrainian organisations. The total EU contribution to projects with Ukrainian participation amounts to around EUR 7.75 million.
In 2026, LIFE Calls open new opportunities for organisations working in the fields of environment, climate, energy, circular economy, nature conservation management, innovation and sustainable development.
LIFE Calls 2026 cover four sub-programmes: Nature and Biodiversity; Circular Economy and Quality of Life; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; and Clean Energy Transition. Each has its own thematic focus, project types and requirements for applicants.
- The Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme can be relevant for projects aimed at conserving species and natural habitats, restoring ecosystems, developing nature conservation management, supporting protected areas and implementing nature-based solutions.
- The Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme covers initiatives in resource efficiency, waste management, reuse of resources, water, air and soil quality, pollution reduction and the implementation of practical solutions for the transition to a circular economy.
- The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programme supports projects aimed at reducing emissions, adapting communities and territories to the consequences of climate change, managing climate risks and developing climate policy.
- The Clean Energy Transition sub-programme focuses on supporting energy efficiency, the development of clean and renewable energy, energy communities, decarbonisation of buildings, industry and business, as well as attracting investment into sustainable energy solutions.
LIFE supports not merely local activities, but solutions with measurable impact, sustainability and the potential for wider application.
This is an important emphasis for potential applicants. The LIFE Programme does not limit participation to large national initiatives: a project may be implemented in a specific territory, community, institution or protected area. However, even a local idea must demonstrate which problem it solves, what changes it will bring about, how the results will be used after the funding ends and whether this experience can be useful for other territories, communities or organisations.
Participation in LIFE Calls 2026 may be relevant for a wide range of Ukrainian organisations:
- higher education institutions and research organisations;
- state authorities and local self-government bodies;
- national nature parks and other protected-area institutions;
- civil society organisations;
- businesses (SMEs);
- professional associations and other institutions working in the fields of environment, climate, energy, circular economy or sustainable development.
For Ukrainian organisations in 2026, various types of LIFE calls may be relevant: standard action projects (SAP), strategic nature projects (SNaP), strategic integrated projects (SIP), technical assistance (TA), operating grants for NGOs (OG), policy and legislative priority projects (PLP), as well as coordination and support actions (CSA) in the field of the clean energy transition (CET).
The key deadlines of LIFE Calls 2026 fall in September 2026. For strategic nature and integrated projects, the deadline for submitting concept notes is 3 September 2026; for framework partnership agreements for NGO operating grants, 8 September 2026; for the Clean Energy Transition calls, 16 September 2026; and for most standard action projects, technical assistance, policy and legislative priority projects and specific operating grants for NGOs, 22 September 2026.
Before starting to prepare an application, it is important to analyse carefully the conditions of the specific call, to determine how the project idea fits the topic, and to assess the consortium requirements, the level of co-financing, the expected results and the project's potential for long-term impact. For LIFE, what matters is not only the description of the problem, but also the demonstration of a practical solution and of the possibility of implementing, disseminating, replicating or scaling it up after the project ends.
In view of this, it is important for Ukrainian organisations to have systematic information and advisory support at the stage of choosing a call, building a partnership and developing a project idea. This is why the LIFE25-CAP-UA-InCL-U-DE project is building a support system for Ukrainian organisations interested in participating in the LIFE Programme. The project team works on disseminating information about funding opportunities and on delivering information events, consultations and training activities that will help potential applicants better navigate the requirements of the LIFE Programme and prepare high-quality project ideas.
LIFE Calls 2026 is an opportunity for Ukrainian organisations to join European solutions in the fields of environmental protection, climate, circular economy and clean energy. At the same time, successful participation in the programme requires a clear understanding of its priorities, a sufficient scale of the idea, partnership, measurable results and readiness to work towards long-term impact.