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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to support and catalyze the full implementation of existing nature restoration and biodiversity strategies and plans. These plans must be adopted at international, national, regional, or multi-regional levels and intrinsically linked to EU nature and biodiversity policy or legislation. The grant specifically targets entities involved in nature and biodiversity policy and implementation, likely including public authorities, non-governmental organizations, and other key stakeholders capable of leading strategic actions. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, focusing exclusively on environment and nature conservation. Geographically, it covers EU Member States and their regions, particularly those with established Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) or similar nature and biodiversity plans. Key filtering criteria for initial screening include a strong alignment with nature/biodiversity goals, the capacity to implement large-scale strategic plans, and the ability to mobilize additional funding and diverse stakeholders for long-term impact. This grant is part of the recurring LIFE Programme, with this specific call issued in 2025.

Financial Structure

Funding Overview

Total Budget: The total budget allocated for the LIFE-2025-STRAT-NAT-SNAP-two-stage call in 2025 is €72,000,000.
Grant Amounts per Project: The minimum and maximum grant amounts that can be requested per individual project are not specified in the provided grant materials.
Currency: All financial figures are in Euro (EUR).

Co-financing and Cost Structure

Matching Fund Requirements: While specific percentages are not provided, projects are explicitly expected to mobilize and coordinate additional finance from various sources (other Union, national, or private funding) for the implementation of complementary measures or actions outside the SNAP project scope. This highlights a strong expectation for leveraging diverse funding streams.
Ineligible Co-funding Source: A critical limitation is that co-funding within the SNAP project itself may NOT come from other Union funding sources. This means applicants must secure co-funding for the SNAP project from national, regional, private, or international non-EU sources.
Eligible/Ineligible Costs: Details regarding specific eligible and ineligible cost categories are not provided in the materials; applicants would need to refer to the full call document (section 10, 'Legal and financial set-up of the grants') for this information.

Financial Management and Reporting

Financial Assessment: Applicants will undergo an assessment of their financial and operational capacity (as described in section 7 of the call document). This indicates that organizations must demonstrate sound financial health and the ability to manage significant project budgets.
Audit Requirements: While not explicitly detailed, EU grants typically come with audit requirements to ensure proper use of funds.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Eligibility

Organization Type: Not explicitly defined as SME or NGO, but based on the grant's purpose, eligible entities likely include public authorities (referred to as 'competent authorities'), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutions, and other organizations recognized as 'stakeholders' capable of contributing to strategic nature conservation and restoration plans.
Geographic Location: Applicants must be located in EU Member States or their regions where a Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) or other relevant nature and biodiversity plans are available and targeted by the project.
Partnership/Consortium: Consortium is strongly implied or required. Projects must 'actively involve the main stakeholders necessary for the implementation' of the targeted plan or strategy. This involvement is expected to be achieved by including them 'as associated beneficiaries' or through their 'active participation'.
Organizational Maturity/Project Stage: Projects must be based on existing, adopted nature and biodiversity plans/strategies (e.g., Prioritised Action Frameworks, National restoration plans, or other international/national/regional/multiregional plans). The grant supports strategic actions designed to catalyze the full implementation of these predefined plans, rather than funding the entire implementation within the project's lifetime.

Financial Eligibility

Co-financing Rules: Projects are expected to mobilize and coordinate additional finance from other Union, national, or private funding sources for complementary measures or actions outside the SNAP. However, it's crucial to note that co-funding within the SNAP project itself may NOT come from other Union funding sources.

Technical and Capacity Requirements

Capacity Building: Projects should facilitate the building of strategic capacities among competent authorities and stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of project results and enable them to function as co-deliverers of the targeted plan/strategy after the project ends.

Application Process

Application Deadlines and Process

Submission Deadlines: This grant utilizes a two-stage application process:
- First Stage (Concept Note/Proposal Submission): The deadline is September 4, 2025, at 00:00:00 UTC.
- Second Stage (Full Proposal Submission): For successful first-stage applicants, the deadline is March 5, 2026, at 00:00:00 UTC.
Application Procedure: The entire process, including submission, is handled electronically through the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal.

Required Documentation To apply, you will need to prepare and submit a range of specific documents, including but not limited to: * The specific Application Form for this call, available within the Submission System. * A Detailed Budget Table for the proposed project. * Participant Information details for all involved entities. * Maps and Description of Sites relevant to the project activities. * Description of Species and Habitats pertinent to the project's conservation efforts. * An Implementation Overview for the targeted plan, strategy, or action plan. * A Complementary Funding Plan and a Complementary Funding Declaration, detailing how additional non-EU Union funding will be mobilized. Project Implementation and Reporting

Grant Duration: Projects are implemented based on a revolving programming mechanism structured in phases. Each phase is expected to last at least 3 years, though shorter durations might be justified in specific cases.
Reporting Obligations: Successful applicants will be subject to ongoing reporting requirements regarding their project's progress, as outlined in the Funding & Tenders Portal guidelines and the Model Grant Agreement.

Application Assistance Applicants can seek support through several channels: * Consulting the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on the LIFE website. * Contacting their National Contact Point (NCP), who can provide tailored guidance. * Reaching out to the IT Helpdesk for technical issues related to the submission system. * Utilizing the Online Manual, a step-by-step guide for processes within the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Evaluation Criteria

Key Scoring Factors

Impact: This is a crucial award criterion. Applicants must clearly define, calculate, explain, and demonstrate how they will achieve the expected impacts. The primary expected impact is a substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy, along with the establishment of mechanisms to ensure its full implementation after the project concludes. Long-term sustainability of project results and actions is highly valued.
Strategic Approach: Proposals must demonstrate how they will implement strategic actions that catalyze a process to mobilize supplementary commitments and funding, ultimately leading to the full implementation of the targeted plan or strategy.
Stakeholder Involvement: The active and meaningful involvement of main stakeholders (potentially as associated beneficiaries) in both the design and implementation phases of the project is a significant factor.
Capacity Building: Projects will be evaluated on their ability to build strategic capacities among competent authorities and stakeholders, enabling them to effectively deliver on the targeted plan/strategy in the long term.
Relevance and Alignment: The project's alignment with and contribution to EU nature and biodiversity policy and legislation (e.g., Habitats Directive, Nature Restoration Regulation, Biodiversity Strategy) is paramount.
Adaptive Approach: Given the complexity of Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs), the design of an adaptive implementation mechanism is expected, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness during the project's phases.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Environmental and Biodiversity Legislation: Projects must strictly adhere to relevant EU nature and/or biodiversity policy or legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Council Directive 92/43/EEC (the 'Habitats Directive'), Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 on nature restoration, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, Pollinators Initiative, and the Invasive Alien Species Regulation.
Financial and Legal Frameworks: Compliance with the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 and the LIFE Regulation 2021/783 is mandatory, dictating the financial and legal setup of the grants.
Data Protection: Adherence to the Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement and broader EU data protection and privacy regulations is required.

Unique Aspects and Strategic Considerations

Revolving Programming Mechanism: A distinctive feature of this grant is its implementation via a revolving programming mechanism, structured in successive phases (e.g., Phase 1, Phase 2). Each phase typically lasts at least 3 years, emphasizing a long-term, adaptive approach to complex strategic initiatives.
Catalytic Role: The grant prioritizes projects that catalyze the full implementation of strategic plans, meaning they initiate and facilitate a broader process, rather than necessarily completing all aspects of the plan within the project's direct scope or lifetime. This includes mobilizing supplementary commitments and funding from diverse sources.
Policy Influence: Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs) are expected to go beyond direct conservation actions by potentially working to change rules for other funds or adapting policies/actions that might otherwise hinder the success of the targeted plan/strategy. This highlights a focus on systemic change and overcoming barriers.
Risk Management: The grant acknowledges the inherent complexity of SNAPs and therefore expects an adaptive approach in the design of the implementing mechanism, allowing for flexibility in response to evolving circumstances.
Cross-Cutting Themes: The core focus is on biodiversity, nature restoration, and environmental sustainability, with a strong emphasis on aligning with and contributing to overarching EU environmental goals.

Grant Details