Source: European Parliament
The EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE[1]) provides, amongst others, financial support for the functioning of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), supporting civil society’s participation in policy making, in line with the LIFE Regulation[2] and the EU Financial Regulation[3].
LIFE operating grants are awarded following a competitive procedure. Applicants submit proposals that include their work programme of activities in policy areas indicated in the LIFE Regulation.
This work programme is annexed to their grant agreement. The Commission does not prescribe the specific activities to be carried out by the NGOs in their work programme , nor does it instruct them to support specific positions . According to these grant agreements, any opinions expressed, and activities carried out remain the sole responsibility of the NGOs.
The Commission agrees that work programmes involving specifically detailed activities directed at EU institutions and some of their representatives, even if they do not breach the legal framework, may entail a reputational risk for the EU.
To mitigate this risk, the Commission issued guidance[4] for both existing grant agreements and future calls, addressed to all Commission services and applicable to all spending programmes. The guidance clarifies which activities should not be mandated as a requirement or condition for Union financing.
The Commission does not intend to revise the European Green Deal[5] or to review and/or withdraw the legislation concerned . Green Deal legislation has been subject to public consultation, in line with Better Regulation principles[6].
Environmental organisations and other stakeholders had the opportunity to present their opinion and positions. In addition, the Commission publishes information on meetings held with interest representatives on its transparency websites.
- [1] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
- [2] Regulation (EU) 2021/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013.
- [3] Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj
- [4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/guidance-funding-dev-impl-monit-enforce-of-eu-law_en.pdf
- [5] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
- [6] https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/better-regulation_en