For 30 years, the European Union has been supporting the implementation of environmental protection projects as part of the LIFE program (L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement). This environmental fund is supported by the EU budget and offers a long-term financing perspective for numerous environmental and climate protection projects. Among other things, the program serves to implement joint environmental protection measures, such as the establishment of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas.
From 2012 to 2019, the first project to reintroduce the Northern Bald Ibis in the Apls (LIFE+12-BIO_AT_000143) was supported by the LIFE fund. Currently, the LIFE program has a budget of around 5.43 billion in EU funds, and the funding of over 120 environmental and climate protection projects has already been approved. This includes the second LIFE project “LIFE20 Northern Bald Ibis” (LIFE20 NAT/AT/000049) which has a duration of seven years (2022-2028).
