The
LIFE (L'Instrument Financier pour L'Environnement) Programme
was launched in 1992 to provide funding to European Union
countries to encourage sustainable development and assist
in the implementation of the European Commission's environmental
policies.
In
the UK there are two types of LIFE Project: LIFE Environment
and LIFE Nature. The Wet Woods Restoration Project is being
co-funded by LIFE Nature, which aims to facilitate the implementation
of the EC Birds and Habitats Directives. LIFE Nature funding
is specifically targeted for work on sites designated under
these Directives, namely Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) respectively.
As well as practical nature conservation work, the LIFE Nature
Programme lays emphasis on the sharing of experience between
projects, the development of networks of projects covering
similar habitats or species, the involvement of partners in
different Member States, the monitoring and evaluation of
projects and the dissemination of their results.
Much more information on LIFE Nature funding can be found
on the European Commission's website.
