Strategic Nature Projects

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the complete implementation of targeted plans and strategies for nature and biodiversity conservation. It focuses on driving forward commitments, mobilizing resources, and taking strategic actions to ensure the long-term protection of natural habitats, species, and ecosystems. The opportunity is designed to help realize national and regional plans, including those related to habitat restoration, biodiversity strategies, pollinator initiatives, and invasive species management. Projects should contribute directly to the effective execution of these plans within countries linked to the European Union's nature and biodiversity policies.

• Projects must support the full implementation of specific nature and biodiversity plans or strategies.
• Eligible plans include Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) for habitat and species conservation.
• Projects can also implement national restoration plans focused on nature restoration.
• Other admissible strategies are those adopted by official nature and biodiversity authorities at international, national, regional, or multiregional levels, directly tied to EU nature or biodiversity policy.
• The plan or strategy must have clear, measurable actions or targets, defined timelines, and a budget.
• Projects must follow application format and page limit requirements.

Examples:

• A regional project to restore and connect protected natural habitats as outlined in a national Prioritised Action Framework.
• A multi-country initiative to combat invasive species based on a jointly adopted biodiversity strategy.
• A national pollinator recovery program implementing actions from a government-endorsed pollinator initiative with specific targets and funding.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 72,000,000€
• Maximum value per project: 30,000,000€
• Minimum value per project: 10,000,000€

• Who can apply: Legal entities (public or private) based in EU Member States, overseas territories, EEA countries, or other LIFE-associated countries. The coordinator must also be based in an eligible country.

• Consortium structure: A consortium is expected—usually at least two independent beneficiaries. Stakeholders and authorities involved in the implementation of the targeted strategy should participate .

• Strategy alignment: Projects must implement formal nature/biodiversity plans such as:

  • Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) under the Habitats Directive

  • National restoration plans under Regulation (EU) 2024/1991

  • Other approved biodiversity strategies (e.g. pollinator initiatives, IAS regulation)
    These strategies must include measurable actions, timelines, and budgets 

• Objectives & impact:

  • Facilitate and catalyse full implementation over time

  • Build institutional capacity, mobilise additional funding, embed biodiversity priorities into policies

  • Include concrete conservation or restoration actions where other EU sources can’t fund them