Get a Life(+)

Few would dispute the fact that the more the attempts at winning a jackpot, the greater the chances of success. Malta's chances to tap as many funds under the Life+ Programme as possible is based on the same premise. A number of high quality proposals need to be submitted to maximise the chances to tap such funds.

Environment protection is high on the European Union's agenda for sustainable development. The importance given to the environment is reflected in the funds allocated for its preservation through the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Agriculture and Rural Development Fund, among others.

Life+ is the financial instrument that specifically supports the development and implementation of environment policy and legislation, particularly those that ensue from the Sixth Environment Action Programme.

Projects funded under Life+ must give added value, should target best practice and innovation or raise awareness on European environment objectives. Environmental monitoring is also one of the eligibility criteria.

Introduced in 1992, Life has been implemented in three phases, each of a four-year duration. During these three phases, the programme concentrated on three main thematic components: nature, the environment and third countries. Over the years, Malta secured financial support for some eight projects under the Life-Third Countries. The projects included pilot air quality monitoring, integrated coastal zone management, maritime environmental risk management systems and, more recently, a soil information system for the Maltese islands as well as the setting up of the first coastal nature reserve.

The current Life will terminate in December, to be replaced by Life+. The drafting of a new regulation started in the last quarter of 2004 and negotiations between the Council, the Commission and all the member states have been going on since. Last December, a partial political agreement was reached on all aspects of this new regulation at the Environment Council.

From Malta's perspective, a landmark political achievement was registered when Malta's budget allocation was increased by about €1 million on the basis of Malta's high population density.

Days before the Council meeting of December 2, 2005, the Commission would not apply the "population density" criteria to Malta, arguing that such an arithmetical calculation would distort the results where small island states are concerned. Notwithstanding, Malta, through its representatives, most notably Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino, stood its ground until it convinced the Commission to revise its position. Funds allocated under Life+ increased from €1.29 to €2.079 million annually for the programming period 2007-2013.

Furthermore, Malta's high population density may be a potential bargaining tool in securing financial assistance.

Life+ will focus on nature and biodiversity. More specifically, it will focus on the conservation of wild birds, natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. This component also supports further the development and implementation of the Natura 2000 network, including coastal and marine habitats and species.

Life+ will also focus on environment policy and governance. This component shall include priority areas like climate change, the environment, health and quality of life, natural resources and waste.

Finally, the third priority area under Life+ will focus on information and communication. As opposed to the current Life, where projects are selected on a competitive basis, Life+ will take a programming approach, that is, each member state will be asked to submit to the Commission a draft national annual works programme for the periods 2007- 2010 and 2011-2013. These programmes will form the basis of further negotiations.

Based on these programmes, the Commission shall draw up a first Multi-Annual Strategic Programme for the periods mentioned. These programmes shall define the principal objectives, priority areas of action, type of measures and expected results the Commission will be focusing upon.

The Life+ regulation provides also for the setting up of national agencies to implement the programme. National agencies shall invite project applications for the implementation of measures set out in the national annual works programme.

They shall ensure that the projects meet the programme criteria, giving priority to those that make the greatest contribution towards the achievement of objectives.

Under Life+, beneficiaries include public and private bodies and non-governmental organisations. To be eligible, NGOs need to be independent, non-profit making and pursue activities in at least three European countries, either on their own or in the form of an association.

Life+ comes into effect on January 1, 2007. Now is the time to set all the necessary work related to the formulation of the programmes in motion. Now is the time to think and act to make sure we reap the maximum benefit from the Life+ project.

Dr Ciantar is director of environment policy and initiatives at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment.