The European Commission has approved funding for 202 new projects under the LIFE+ program, the European Union's environment fund. The projects represent a total investment of some EUR517 million, of which the EU will provide EUR268 million.

The projects cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, environmental policy, climate change and information and communication on environmental issues.

"These latest LIFE+ projects continue a trend, started two decades ago, for innovative and best-practice actions furthering nature conservation, improving the environment and tackling climate change," said Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.

The Commission received 1,078 applications from the 27 EU Member States in response to its latest call for proposals, which closed in July 2011.

Of these, 202 were selected for co-funding through the program's three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance and LIFE+ Information and Communication.

Nature & Biodiversity projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats.

Environment Policy & Governance projects are pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments.

Information and Communication projects disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues and provide training and awareness-raising for the prevention of forest fires.

LIFE+ has a total budget of EUR2.143 billion for the period 2007-2013. The Commission launches one call for project proposals per year.

Since 1992, the program has co-financed some 3506 projects, contributing approximately EUR2.5 billion to the protection of the environment.