06. 05.10:
Call: LIFE+
The 2010 Call for Proposals for the LIFE+ programme was launched on 5 May. The programme comprises three components.
1) Nature & Biodiversity:
Innovative best practice or demonstration projects on the protection, conservation, restoration, monitoring and facilitating the functioning of natural systems or habitats, wild flora and fauna, with the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity or that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives.
2) Environment Policy & Governance:
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, or environmental monitoring. Applications dealing with sustainable management and use of natural resources and waste (including the environmental performances of products, sustainable production and consumption patterns, waste prevention, recovery and recycling) are particularly encouraged although applications are welcomed across all the following themes:
* Climate Change
* Water quality
* Air quality
* Soil (sustainable use)
* Urban environment
* Noise
* Chemicals and pesticides
* Environment and health
* Forests
* Innovation (green technologies)
* Strategic approaches (e.g. improving SMEs’ environmental performance).
3) Information & Communication:
Awareness-raising campaigns and events on environmental, nature protection and, in particular, biodiversity conservation issues, as well as projects related to forest fire prevention.
The maximum co-financing rate will be 50% or 75% for projects focusing on priority Birds and Habitats Directives species/habitats. It is envisaged that successful projects will get underway in autumn 2011. No national priorities have been set for potential Irish projects. Ireland's national information day on the call is scheduled for 3 June. Contact LifeIE@mwhglobal.com for further details.
To date, just two Irish projects, both arising from the 2007 call, have been adjudged to be of sufficient quality to make use of the annual amount (this year an indicative EUR3.83 million) ring-fenced for projects from Ireland. Mulkear Life is led by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board who, along with the Office of Public Works, National Parks & Wildlife Service, and the County Councils of Limerick, North Tipperary and South Tipperary, are engaged in the restoration of the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for Sea lamprey, Atlantic salmon and European otter. Meanwhile the Central Fisheries Board's CAISIE project is tackling the control of aquatic invasive species and restoration of natural communities in Lough Corrib, the Grand Canal and the Barrow.
Deadline: 1 September (submissions to the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government)
