On 21 April 2026, the European Commission officially published the new LIFE Calls for 2026. With this launch, the LIFE Programme once again offers opportunities for organisations investing in and working on themes such as nature restoration, climate adaptation, the circular economy and the energy transition. A total budget of € 601.5 million is available for these types of projects.

What is the LIFE Programme?

The LIFE Programme is the European Union’s funding instrument for projects in the fields of environment, climate and nature. LIFE focuses on innovative and demonstration projects with strong impact and scalability potential across Europe. Organisations from both the public and private sectors can participate, often in international consortia. In most cases, LIFE funding covers 60% of eligible costs, with a minimum of € 1 million.

Opportunities within LIFE 2026

The new LIFE Calls address key societal challenges, including:

• biodiversity restoration and nature conservation
• climate mitigation and adaptation
• circular economy and pollution reduction
• acceleration of the clean energy transition

Projects that contribute to European policy objectives and deliver tangible impact have a strong chance of securing funding.

Deadlines LIFE 2026

The current call includes two deadlines:

• 16 September 2026: for projects within Clean Energy Transition
• 22 September 2026: for projects within Nature & Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Quality of Life, and Climate Mitigation & Adaptation

Hezelburcht’s Experience with LIFE Projects

Hezelburcht has extensive experience in successfully supporting LIFE applications. Over the years, we have assisted numerous organisations in developing, structuring and submitting their LIFE project proposals. These projects range from innovative nature restoration initiatives to large-scale climate and circular solutions, such as:

The LIFE RE&UCE project, where our specialists supported the consortium in applying for LIFE funding for a smarter way to manage waste from the paper industry. A new technique is used to extract a valuable raw material from this sludge, which is reused in paper, paint and plastic, amongst other things.

We also supported the Urban Adapt project of the Municipality of Rotterdam in applying for LIFE funding to make the city more sustainable and climate-resilient. This was achieved by working together with businesses and residents to green urban areas and improve water retention.

Another example is the Freshman project by Dunea. Here, our specialists supported the collaboration in the LIFE funding trajectory aimed at securing future drinking water supply. This involved researching how fresh drinking water can be extracted and filtered from various sources in the dunes of Scheveningen.

Our involvement goes beyond the application phase. We also support the identification of suitable funding opportunities, consortium building, and the administrative requirements involved. This ensures we remain engaged throughout the entire funding process. Thanks to this integrated approach, we increase both the success rate and the impact of your LIFE project.

LIFE support in 2026? 

Are you considering a LIFE application in 2026? Given the complexity and competitiveness of the programme, timely and strategic preparation is essential. Hezelburcht is happy to support you in exploring the opportunities for your project.

Would you like to schedule a introduction? consultation? Please contact us at info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or fill in the contact form.

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