The European commission has approved funding of €282.6 million for more than 200 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the EU's environment fund.
Organisations in the 28 member states submitted 1,468 applications, of which 225 were selected for co-funding through the programme’s three components: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication. The UK will receive €49.7 million for 11 projects. Five of them come under the policy and governance stream, including Scotland’s LIFE SMART Waste project, which will develop innovative ways of understanding, tackling and reducing waste crime. The remaining six projects, covered by the nature and biodiversity funds, include LIFE Waders for Real, which seeks to reverse the decline of breeding waders in the Avon Valley.