The aim of this study is to support the preparation of the Commission’s ex-post evaluation of the LIFE programme 2014-2020, which will be published in the form of a Staff Working Document.
As required under Article 27(2)(b) of the LIFE 2014-2020 Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013, as an ex-post independent and external evaluation report, the support study will therefore evaluate the implementation of activities funded under the LIFE programme 2013-2020. The outcome of this study (findings, conclusions and recommendations) will serve to inform future policy developments of the LIFE Programme and its synergies with wider EU policy landscape.

LIFE (‘L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement’, in English ‘Programme for Environment and Climate Action)’ is the key EU funding instrument dedicated to environment and climate.
The LIFE programme 2014-2020 was conceived to contribute to sustainable development, to the achievement of the objectives and targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and to support the implementation of the 7th Environmental Action Programme and other relevant EU environment and climate strategies and plans. The general objectives of the LIFE Programme 2014-2020 were to be met through two sub-programmes:

• The sub-programme for Environment which covered three priority areas: (i) environment and resource efficiency; (ii) nature and biodiversity; and (iii) environmental governance and information.
• The sub-programme for Climate Action which covered three priority areas: (i) climate change mitigation; (ii) climate change adaptation; and (iii) climate governance and information.

As part of the consortium, t33’s work for this evaluation focuses on the evaluation of the EU added value criteria of the LIFE programme 2014-2020, as well as the financial instruments implemented (NCFF and PF4EE).

The project is led by VVA, in consortium with RPA, CSIL, t33, and Living Prospects.