Funding

The Commission (co-)finances projects and other initiatives for the implementation of the European Union policies and legislation throughout the European Union and further afield. The EU has committed to use 10% of its budget for biodiversity by 2026-2027.

The activities of the Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) are financed mainly through the LIFE programme, the European Union’s programme supporting circular economy and quality of life, biodiversity and nature protection throughout the EU and the EU Overseas Countries and Territories. In addition, DG ENV implements pilot projects and/or preparatory actions as required by the Budgetary Authority. They aim at testing new environmental policy initiatives and/or preparing the ground for the adoption of future measures.

Funding opportunities

Work programmes

Last work programmes mentioning the expected calls for proposals and the tenders:

2025-27 work programme for the implementation of the LIFE programme (Commission implementing Decision C(2025)955)
2024 work programme for a preparatory action in the field of environment (Commission Decision C(2024)3161)
2021-24 work programme for the implementation of the LIFE programme (Commission implementing Decisions C(2021)4997, C(2023)939) and C(2024)4547
2023 work programme for pilot projects in the field of environment (Commission Decision C(2023)4009)
2022 work programme for pilot projects and a preparatory action in the field of environment (Commission decision C(2022)3522)
2021 work programme for pilot project and preparatory action in the field of environment (Commission decision C(2021)1856)

Find Your EU Funding Programme for the Environment

The Vademecum on funding and financing for the environment has just been published. A “Must Read” with practical references for project promoters, authorities in charge of the implementation of projects in the Member States and other stakeholders. The Vademecum has been created to assess opportunities and prepare funding and financing strategies that address the environmental objectives of the European Green Deal (EGD).

Read the guide

EU funding programmes

Find here a list of the funding programmes implemented through the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, divided by heading and cluster.

Grants

The bulk of the grants is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). In specific cases, grants are also managed by DG ENV. The calls for proposals are published on the LIFE call for proposals webpage.

The list of Grants published between 2013-2020 can be found here.

Calls for Other Grants

DG Environment supports also other grants. See below the specific Calls:

Call for proposals – reference ENV/2023/CFP/BCNF : Pilot project – Biodiversity-climate nexus fund

Calls for tenders

Apply here for open calls for tenders for services, issued by the Directorate-General for Environment.

Calls for expression of interest

Opportunities for stakeholders, including experts and businesses, to put themselves forward before a call for tender.

Nature Credits

In July 2025 the European Commission published a Roadmap towards Nature Credits, which sets out a path to increasing private investment in nature-positive actions. Nature credits are emerging as a potentially valuable way to complement public funding with private investment, rewarding farmers, foresters, fishers, landowners and local communities who restore and protect natural ecosystems.

Feedback on the roadmap can be submitted until 30 September 2025 here: Have your say.

Applications to join the expert group on nature credits may be submitted until 10 September 2025.

The EU is supporting pilot projects under the Green Assist programme to test the feasibility of nature credit models, including on wetlands in France and on forests in Estonia, as well as an exploratory project contributing to an international partnership with Peru. These projects explore governance models, monitoring methods, and financing strategies to develop robust methodologies.