The LIFE Programme: Why we shouldn’t let it die

An Open Message to the European Environmental and Funding Community

Nº 34 27 de julio de 2025 por Evelio Jimeno Ruiz

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Change.org campaign to Save the LIFE Programme

Last week, I learned from my esteemed former colleague Xabier Sevillano (via EFE Verde) that the LIFE Programme is at serious risk of being discontinued.

According to recent reports, the European Commission’s next budget no longer includes the LIFE Programme—one of the EU’s most iconic instruments for environmental and climate action. This article is both an explanation of why this matters, and an invitation to act.

We have launched a petition on Change.org to ask the Commission to reconsider this decision:

Normally, I address this kind of content to a Spanish-speaking audience, where I’ve worked for many years in the field of public funding. But this time, the situation requires a broader European voice. I kindly ask you to share this article and, most importantly, the petition—especially if you believe that programmes like LIFE should continue to exist.

This initiative is not about visibility or personal leadership. If others—institutions, influencers, environmental advocates—decide to take the lead, I will be glad to follow and support them. The goal is collective:
Let’s give LIFE a chance to continue.

What is the LIFE Programme?

LIFE is one of the European Union’s most emblematic funding programmes, supporting environmental and climate action projects since 1992.
It focuses on biodiversity, climate change mitigation, nature protection, circular economy, and clean energy transition.
Unlike pure R&D programmes, LIFE funds demonstration and pilot projects—initiatives that show, test, and validate solutions on the ground.
It has been key in protecting endangered species and habitats, promoting innovation in waste and water management, and helping both public administrations and companies learn by doing.

A legendary Programme at risk of disappearing

According to recent reports, the European Commission’s next budget no longer includes the LIFE Programme.
After more than 30 years of existence, this could be the end of LIFE as we know it.
The news has surprised many professionals in the sector who have contributed to LIFE projects for decades, promoting nature conservation and sustainable solutions.

Programmes are born and sometimes they die -and that’s OK (but not always)

Innovation requires change. As the former CEO of Danone once said:
«Every time we launch a new product, we need to ‘kill’ an existing one – even if it’s profitable – because supermarket shelves are not infinite.»
The same happens with public funding: new priorities emerge, new programmes appear, and others disappear. That’s part of the system.

But why shouldn’t we kill LIFE?

LIFE is not just «another programme». It’s unique in its combination of biodiversity protection, environmental action, and real-world demonstration projects.
Killing LIFE is not like replacing a yogurt in the supermarket.
When you eliminate a programme like LIFE, you lose:
- Efficiency: It takes years for public administrations, consultants, NGOs, and companies to learn how to navigate new funding schemes. LIFE already works.
- Trust: LIFE is well-known and respected across Europe. Replacing it creates uncertainty.
- Community: LIFE has created a pan-European network of environmental and climate innovation actors. This ecosystem will not automatically migrate to other programmes.

Why this matters (even if you’ve never worked with LIFE)

Protecting nature and addressing climate change require stable, long-term frameworks.
Constantly changing programmes might look modern, but sometimes they add more complexity than solutions.
If we only fund trendy new schemes, we risk losing the continuity needed for systemic impact.

A Call for Action: help us keep LIFE Alive

We are launching a petition on Change.org to ask the European Commission to reconsider this decision.

Our goal is to collect at least 10,000 signatures across Europe, and for that, we need your help:
- Share this message in your networks.
- Translate it into your local language and spread the word in your country.
- If you know of other initiatives or petitions on this topic, let’s join forces. This is not about being the leader of a campaign; it’s about contributing to a shared cause.

7. Let’s try a social experiment

Can a small community of professionals and citizens influence European decisions?
Let’s find out.
We may succeed, or not. But silence is a worse option.

If you love LIFE, help us keep it alive.

#KeepLIFEalive

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