Overseas Countries
and Territories Association
Overseas Countries
and Territories Association
LIFE is a European financial instrument dedicated to environmental and climate objectives. It is particularly focused on nature and biodiversity. The BEST Initiative (voluntary scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories) is an action created exclusively for ORs and OCTs, which will continue to exist under the LIFE umbrella.
The eligibility of OCTs has been fully granted as of the new financing period 2021-2027, although entities from the OCTs are recommended to focus on Nature and Biodiversity projects. The BEST Initiative will continue financing projects from the ORs and OCTs.
The new regulation of the programme is still under review; In general, the following areas will be covered:
The first calls are expected in late spring 2021. This page will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.
Following the success of the BEST initiative, full eligibility of the OCTs to the LIFE programme was a long-term claim. The biodiversity of the islands, as well as their vulnerability to climate change, makes the LIFE programme a great financing source for relevant projects in the OCTs.
The programme is managed at central level by the European Commission.
Information on ongoing and upcoming calls: Funding & Tender portal.
