The Commission presented a report accompanying the
mid-term evaluation of the LIFE programme 2014-2020, the EUs
funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The
mid-term evaluation covers the programmes first two years
(2014-2015) and is largely based on the external study by an
independent consultant.
This evaluation comes at an early stage of the
programmes implementation: most projects have yet to start
and few projects have finished. This is why the evaluation has
focused mainly on: the processes put in place to reach its
objectives, the ongoing activities (such as contracts/projects
already financed) and, where relevant, their anticipated
results.
The evidence collected so far shows that LIFE
programme is:
- the only programme with environment and climate action
upfront;
- a flexible instrument, which finances projects
of different sizes and attracts small, medium and large
enterprises, universities, research centres, national and local
authorities, civil society as well as various NGOs;
- appreciated for its quick reaction to changing
political and societal needs;
- known for the relevance and quality of its
activities, which answer local needs and are visible and
appreciated across the EU by stakeholders and the general
public;
- expected to provide value for money and so far
can demonstrate a direct and measurable impact, e.g. on reducing
emissions and energy consumption or on protecting biodiversity by
improving species conservation status;
- extremely appreciated for its EU added value
because it ensures that EU environmental and climate legislation
and policies are applied in a consistent manner across the EU. It
represents an EU level platform for sharing best practice and
demonstration activities;
- well positioned to provide a contribution to the
economy by incentivising EU industry to further develop green
technology capabilities, which form one of EUs competitive
advantages and supporting long-term economic viability and
stability by promoting sustainable development;
- well managed as
demonstrated by its very low error rate. This means that funds are
used according to the financial rules while delivering measurable
results with a substantial impact on the ground. This is ensured by
the monitoring system, which allows timely management
decisions.
Recommendations: the
evaluation also highlights some recommendations for
improvement:
- the need to focus on existing and new
priorities: the circular economy,
delivery of the 2030 climate and energy framework especially by
encouraging innovation, the implementation of the Paris Agreement,
the possible review of the EU adaptation strategy, the achievement
of the objectives of the Nature Directives, the implementation of
the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, within available financial resources.
These priorities will be addressed through fine-tuning the
financing per priority area;
- the scope and demand for simplification of LIFE
procedures for grants remain, in particular for the submission
of proposals and reporting;
- the communication strategy needs a more active and
responsive approach to better target audiences and deliver key
messages that are objective-specific and
target-specific;
- increase project replicability and
transferability by targeting
obstacles preventing activities continuing after the project ends
(such as lack of financial resources and capacity/human resources
for investment planning) thereby developing a pipeline of projects
for investment from other Union and private sector
sources;
- the national contact points need a stronger
role.
These LIFE mid-term evaluation findings will guide the
preparation of the next MAWP 20182020 and the post-2020
MFF.