The circular economy and quality of life sub-programme holds €1.345 billion for 2021–2027. It funds waste management, resource efficiency, water and air quality, noise reduction and chemical safety, and the co-financing rate here is 60%.
- Budget
- €1.345bn
- Rate
- 60%
- Field
- Environment
- Applicant
- Often a municipality or utility
This sub-programme covers the part of EU environmental policy that touches people and the economy: waste, resources, water, air, noise, chemicals.
By the profile of its applicants it is the closest to municipalities and utilities. The typical funded project is not a scientific development but the switch of a specific town or plant to a different technology with a measurable result.
Main areas
Circular economy and waste: waste prevention, separate collection, re-use, material recovery.
Water: water quality, reuse of treated water, implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
Air: cutting the emissions with the greatest health impact, particulate matter in particular.
Chemicals and noise: substitution of hazardous substances, reduction of urban noise exposure.
What makes an application strong
Two things. First, a measurable effect: how many tonnes of waste will be kept out of landfill, by how much a pollutant concentration will fall, for how many people. Second, replicability: LIFE funds a model others can repeat, so a project with no plan for spreading the result reads as a one-off equipment purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Can a municipal utility apply?
Yes. Eligible LIFE beneficiaries are legal entities of any form, including public authorities, municipal utilities, non-governmental organisations and businesses.
Is equipment purchase funded?
Yes, where the equipment is needed to demonstrate the solution. But a project that amounts to a purchase does not pass: LIFE pays for a model and its spread, not for fitting out.
Official materials
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2021/783 establishing the LIFE Programme eur-lex.europa.eu · checked 29.08.2026
- LIFE Programme – CINEA cinea.ec.europa.eu · checked 29.08.2026
Data current as of 29.08.2026. Verify the terms with the donor’s official portal before applying.
Updated 29.08.2026 · Reviewed by: GetGrant editorial team
