• The LIFE Programme – which turned 30 in 2022 – is the European Union's funding instrument for green projects that benefit the climate and the environment.
• In this new 2022 edition, Spain will receive 47 million euros for 25 new projects.

The European Commission (EC) has just approved – through the LIFE program – more than 380 million euros in funding for 168 new projects across Europe, of which 47 million euros are for 25 Spanish projects .

Projects from almost all European Union (EU) countries will benefit from the LIFE Programme based on four themes:

• Nature and biodiversity
• Circular economy and quality of life
• Mitigation and adaptation to climate change
• Transition to cleaner energy

The LIFE Programme is the EU's funding instrument for the environment and climate action, established in 1992. In its 30 years of existence, it has co-financed more than 5,500 projects across Europe. For the 2021-2027 period, the European Commission has increased LIFE Programme funding by almost 60%, reaching €5.4 billion.

Spanish projects

LIFE Programme projects are designed to help the EU achieve climate neutrality by 2050. In Spain's specific case, the 25 approved projects are:

A) In the area of “Nature and Biodiversity” :

1. Improving river habitats and species in the Cantabrian Sea(LIFE KANTAURIBAI) : the project aims to improve the conservation status of species and habitats in 15 Natura 2000 sites in Spain and France.

B) Environment and resource efficiency:

2. An eco-efficient system for the treatment and reuse of wastewater(BIODAPH2O) : for the use of wastewater in agriculture, which avoids the discharge of pollutants.
3. Promote reward-for-use recycling schemes(CENTS4PACK) : will design reward schemes for citizens to separate waste to meet recycling targets.
4. Recovery of polyphenols from olive oil waste(CYCLOPS) : for conversion into valuable products for oil and wine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.  
5. A closed-loop system for reusing water from textile finishing(LIFE ANHYDRO) : This project will develop a water regeneration and reuse solution in textile processes that is expected to reduce water consumption by 92% and wastewater generation by 98%.
6. Preventing Evaporation Losses in Agricultural Reservoirs(LIFE H2OLOCK) : The project suppresses algae growth in reservoirs without using algaecides and produces renewable energy for irrigation systems.
7. A circular seawater desalination process that produces renewable energy(LIFE INDESAL) : The project will develop a seawater desalination process to produce desalinated water.
8. A biorefinery to produce high-value products from fishery discards and by-products(LIFE REFISH) : This project will create a biorefinery to convert fishery discards into value-added products.
9. Reuse of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries in hybrid renewable energy plants (LIFE ReLiGHT ): its The objective is the reuse of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles on a large scale.
10. Using Technology to Optimize Agricultural Processes(LIFE Als) : to improve crop knowledge and adjust management practices and agricultural machinery to achieve savings in the use of pesticides, fertilizers, water, and diesel.
11. Removing Contaminants of Emerging Concern from Water(PRISTINE) : The project aims to demonstrate that more than 80% of contaminants can be removed from wastewater and drinking water at a cost 30% lower than current technologies.
12. Development of a water recovery train for crop irrigation(WARRIOR) : a project for irrigation and water stress management.
13. Reuse of a toxic waste stream from the paper and pulp industry(ZEBRA LIFE) : This project will allow paper mills to reuse their waste as a natural antioxidant.

C) Adaptation to climate change

14. Climate-Resilient Agroforestry in Northwest Iberia(LIFE SILFORE) : The plan is to develop silvopastoral systems, a method that combines forestry and livestock grazing, to reduce the risk of fires.
15. Precision soil monitoring for water savings on farms(HYDROSTICK) : allows soil monitoring to save water and fertilizers.

D) Climate change mitigation

16. Certification of sustainable cereal production(LIFE Innocereal EU) : for the production of cereals with low carbon emissions.
17. Biofuel to replace the burning of rice straw(LIFE REPTES) : The project will develop a new circular model to recover rice straw and sewage sludge to produce renewable gas biofuels.
18. Climate mitigation through land management in mining areas(LIFE CARBON2MINE) : to optimize the carbon sink effect in mining areas in Asturias.
19. Promoting sustainable forestry(LIFE TOKEN CO2) : to calculate the absorption of carbon dioxide by forests.
20. Climate governance and information “Adapting beaches to climate change”(LIFE AdaptCalaMillor) : to adapt urban beaches to climate change (sea level rise, etc.).

E) Clean energy transition

21. Construction Skills in the Spanish Construction Sector(Construye 2030) : a project that will accelerate the cost-effective renovation of existing buildings and promote the use of smart technologies in buildings.
22. Developing technical assistance to boost energy communities across Europe(LIFE BECKON) : The project aims to foster the creation of “energy communities” across Europe by developing support mechanisms for public authorities, developers, and Local Action Groups.
23. Supporting the Energy Transition in Tourist Islands(GENERA) : to assist public authorities on tourist islands in the transition to a decarbonized and sustainable economy.
24. Bringing Local Actors Together for Regional Energy Communities(JALON) : To stimulate community-based energy projects led by European citizens, especially in rural regions . This will be demonstrated through a large-scale regional energy community bringing together 87 rural villages in Spain. This will involve 5,000 citizens, 40 local authorities, and 75 businesses and aims to mobilize €13 million to invest in photovoltaic energy installations. Promoting the project's results should help foster replication across the EU.
25. Supporting the sustainability of European energy communities(COMANAGE) : for the creation of a governance framework for energy communities.