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LIFE - sub-programme “Clean Energy Transition”
Parent program | LIFE – Programme for the Environment and Climate Action |
Link to the program | cinea.ec.europa.eu |
Content of program
short description | Building on the success of the Intelligent Energy Europe (2003-2013) and Horizon 2020 Energy Efficiency (2014-2020) programmes, the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme continues to support the delivery of EU policies in the field of sustainable energy, in particular, the European Green Deal, the Energy Union (2030 energy and climate targets) and the European Union’s 2050 long-term decarbonisation strategy. |
program objectives | The specific objectives of the sub-programme "Clean Energy Transition" are the following:
This sub-programme will fund the activities responding to the specific topics defined in the annual calls for proposals which are based on the list of priority topics. Other activities related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, which do not address the specific requirements of the calls defined under this sub-programme can be submitted to the calls under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation sub-programme. The sub-programme will aim at facilitating the transition toward an energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, climate-neutral and -resilient economy by funding coordination and support actions across Europe. These actions aim at breaking market barriers that hamper the socio-economic transition to sustainable energy, typically engaging multiple small and medium-size stakeholders, multiple actors including local and regional public authorities and non-profit organisations, and involving consumers. The sub-programme will contribute to the implementation of the energy-related actions of the European Green Deal, including the ‘Renovation wave’ initiative for the building sector and will give due consideration to territories not connected to the European grids such as the EU outermost regions. It will contribute to the Just Transition objectives by accompanying the territories and the groups of citizens negatively affected by the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, by building capacity of actors and fostering clean energy investments, mainly in energy efficiency and locally available, sustainable, renewable energy sources. Activities related to technology development will not be included. A significant part of this budget will be used to finance Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) under OAs grants for the four year period, whereas the possibility to finance SAPs is only foreseen as from 2023. read more |
Expected effects and impacts | The programme will cover the following areas of intervention:
Increasing coherence of energy transition governance at different levels by enhancing multi-stakeholder dialogue and building the capacity of public authorities to deliver under the national energy and climate plans and/or other plans and strategies (e.g. just transition plans, long-term renovation strategies, strategies for the electrification of the transport system). Supporting the development and effective implementation of clean energy policies, including the relevant Union legislation on products and energy consumers, in the EU and third countries. Supporting actions that put into practice the enabling provisions included in the European legislation on clean energy.
Providing support for the decarbonisation of the buildings, industry and tertiary sectors, by fostering market uptake of innovative solutions, including digitalization and circular design in line with the climate neutrality target. Accelerating the clean energy transition by enabling the development of new added-value services and innovative business models. The roll-out of technologies and innovative solutions needs to be accompanied by measures addressing market barriers including support to the development and deployment of new skills and frameworks (labels, certificates, technological and non-technological standards, e.g. for interoperability, etc.).
To upscale investments in sustainable energy, different capital flows need to be made available by addressing both supply and demand of finance, and by using public funds effectively. Supply side activities include: data collection, methodology and evidence-based risk management; harmonisation of definition and measuring of sustainable investments; development of innovative financing mechanisms, products, services and practices; standardisation and aggregation of projects and investments; simplification of the process for investors; capacity building and dialogue. Activities should contribute to EU policy and legislation in the field of sustainable finance.
Build capacity of local public authorities and private investors, notably community collective investors. Facilitate dialogue with the financial sector to deliver sustainable energy investments, including tailored actions contributing to a fair society and to a just energy transition in EU regions most dependent on fossil fuels or carbon intensive processes. Promote public procurement of energy and resource efficient works, supplies and services. Support tailored approaches for local actors to develop investment concepts, implement organisational innovations and aggregate projects. Improve market conditions and develop new integrated services offers for sustainable energy in buildings, transport, ports, and SMEs.
Support citizens in taking an active role in the clean energy transition, including targeted support for collective actions, community and citizen-led initiatives and development of new energy services and social innovations. Strengthen collaboration between local authorities and citizen-led initiatives. Support actions that contribute to alleviate energy poverty. Foster energy literacy and sustainable energy behaviour of citizens, in particular younger generations. read more |
Regions / countries for funding | Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT), EU Member States Moldova (Moldova), Iceland (Ísland), North Macedonia (Северна Македонија), Ukraine (Україна) |
eligible entities Partners |
Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), International organization, Research Institution incl. University, Education and training institution, Other, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs) |
Mandatory partnership | No |
Project Partnership | In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
Natural persons are NOT eligible (with the exception of self-employed persons, i.e. sole traders, where the company does not have legal personality separate from that of the natural person). International organisations are not eligible. The rules on eligible countries do not apply to them. EU bodies (with the exception of the European Commission Joint Research Centre) can NOT be part of the consortium. Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees for the protection of the EU financial interests equivalent to that offered by legal persons. Countries currently negotiating association agreements — Beneficiaries from countries with ongoing negotiations (see above) may participate in the call and can sign grants if the negotiations are concluded before grant signature (with retroactive effect, if provided in the agreement). |
Additional information
Topics | Administration & Governance, Institutional Capacity & Cooperation, Disaster Prevention, Resilience, Risk Management, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy |
Relevance for EU Macro-Region | EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region |
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) | |
Program documents | LIFE Multiannual Work Programme 2021-2024 - DE (904kB) Verordnung (EU) 2021/783 zur Einrichtung des Programms für die Umwelt- und Klimapolitik (LIFE) (884kB) LIFE Multiannual Work Programme 2021-2024 - EN (953kB) Regulation 2021/783 establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) (904kB) |
Contact | European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) - LIFE Website LIFE Programme NCPs Website |
Open calls
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Addressing building related interventions for vulnerable districts
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Alleviating household energy poverty and vulnerability in Europe
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Alleviating household energy poverty in Europe
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
BUILD UP Skills – Strategies and training interventions enabling a decarbonised building stock
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
BUILD UP Skills – Upskilling and reskilling interventions enabling a decarbonised building stock and energy system integration
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
BUILD UP Skills – Upskilling and reskilling interventions for building decarbonisation
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Boosting heat pump deployment through alternative models and skilled installers
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Clean energy transition plans and strategies in municipalities and regions
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Crowding in private finance
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Crowding in private finance
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Developing support mechanisms for Energy Communities
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Developing support mechanisms for energy communities
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
District heating and cooling: Enabling modernisation and fuel switch through support for investment plans and skills development
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Energy Performance of Buildings - Creating the conditions to make renovation faster, deeper, smarter, service- and data-driven
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Energy Performance of Buildings - Making renovation faster, deeper, smarter, service- and data-driven
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Energy performance and Smart Readiness of buildings – making the instruments work
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
European Energy Communities Facility
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Facilitation structures for the renovation of public buildings
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Innovative financing schemes for sustainable energy investments
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Integrated Home Renovation Services
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Integrated services for clean energy transition in buildings and businesses
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Integration of low-grade renewable energy or waste heat in high temperature district heating
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
LIFE Clean Energy Transition – Standard Action Project
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Mainstreaming sustainable energy investments in the financial sector
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Making the "Energy efficiency first" principle more operational
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Maximising use of and valorising EPREL data through innovative applications
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
National Finance Roundtables for sustainable energy investments
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
New ecodesign and energy labelling compliance support facility for suppliers and retailers
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
One-Stop-Shops - Integrated services for clean energy transition in buildings and businesses
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Project Development Assistance for sustainable energy investments
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Project Development Assistance for sustainable energy investments
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Project Development Assistance for sustainable energy investments
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Real world energy consumption of energy-related products
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Setting up facilitation structures to accelerate the renovation wave in the public sector
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Supporting district heating and cooling
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Supporting the clean energy transition of European businesses
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Supporting the clean energy transition of European businesses
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Supporting the clean energy transition of the business sector
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Supporting the roll-out of high-quality heat pump installations
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024
Technical support to clean energy transition plans and strategies in municipalities and regions
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Technical support to clean energy transition plans and strategies in municipalities and regions
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Towards a zero-emission building stock: strengthening the enabling framework for deep renovation
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Towards an effective implementation of key legislation in the field of sustainable energy
17.05.2022 - 16.11.2022
Towards an effective implementation of key legislation in the field of sustainable energy
11.05.2023 - 16.11.2023
Towards an effective implementation of key legislation in the field of sustainable energy
18.04.2024 - 19.09.2024