LIFE 2026 — Strategic Projects (Integrated + Nature)

LIFE-2026-STRAT funds Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNaPs) under the LIFE programme — the largest single grants the LIFE programme offers, managed by CINEA. The 2026 call has a total estimated budget of €163 million across three topics: Strategic Nature Projects (€75 million, 3–5 projects of €10–30 million), Strategic Integrated Projects for Environment (€58 million, 3–4 projects of €10–30 million), and Strategic Integrated Projects for Climate Action (€30 million, 2–3 projects of €10–25 million). Project duration is 60–120 months. The call is two-stage: concept note due 3 September 2026, full proposal due 4 March 2027. SIPs and SNaPs aim at the full implementation of named national, regional or urban plans and strategies under EU environmental and climate legislation — they catalyse a process and mobilise supplementary funding from other instruments, rather than executing every action in the plan. A unique consortium requirement applies: the authority responsible for the targeted plan must participate in the consortium, in principle as coordinator. Co-financing rate is 60% of eligible costs.