Commission selects innovative environmental projects for funding
The European Commission has selected 109 new environmental demonstration projects for co-funding under the LIFE-Environment programme. The projects are aimed at increasing knowledge and thus facilitating the development and implementation of EU environmental legislation in the EU and candidate countries. This year's selected projects represent a total investment of around 213 million euro, 69 million of which will be provided by the LIFE-Environment programme. Among the selected projects, the sustainable management of water resources is a dominant theme, with projects covering wastewater treatment, groundwater protection and river basin management. Other projects relate to the integration of environmental considerations into land-use development, planning and urban management, recycling and re-using waste, mitigating the environmental impact of economic activity and the development of an integrated product policy, which includes eco-design and eco-labelling. Over half of the 109 projects selected will involve public authorities or institutions. Private bodies, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-governmental organisation will also be involved.