PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The LIFE programme introduced action grants for capacity-building projects for the 2014-2017 funding period. These are projects designed to build Member States' capacity to participate more effectively in the LIFE Programme. Specifically, these projects propose interventions that will help them submit successful applications for funding for projects under the sub-programmes for Environment and Climate Action. Member States that meet the criteria may each receive funding of up to €1 million for one capacity-building project. Only national level public bodies responsible for implementing LIFE in the EU may apply for capacity-building projects.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE CAP HUN project aimed to develop awareness-raising and project management activities for LIFE projects in Hungary. Specifically, the project aimed to:
- Increase knowledge about the LIFE Programme and its opportunities;
- Generate better LIFE proposals in line with national strategies;
- Help stakeholders improve their skills and expertise in designing more innovative and successful LIFE projects;
- Encourage stakeholder co-operation and exchange of experience;
- Encourage the submission of Hungarian LIFE Integrated Projects and the use of financial instruments;
- Establish LIFE support teams to provide information, training and project management support for all LIFE thematic areas;
- Develop the capacity of LIFE experts, for example, on climate policy (within the Ministry for Innovation and Technology) and environment protection and nature conservation (Ministry of Agriculture), through study trips, trainings/workshops and other activities (at MFK Magyar Fejlesztési Központ Nonprofit Kft);
- Establish a new LIFE Climate Team (LCT), under the existing Department for Climate Policy, with four full-time Regional Contact Points able to fulfil helpdesk duties and share best practice experience from other Member States; and
- Establish a national LIFE project database.
RESULTS
Overall, the quality and quantity of Hungarian LIFE proposals has improved significantly during the three years of the LIFE CAP HUN project. 67 Hungarian-coordinated proposals (55 traditional and 12 Integrated Project) were submitted under the three calls (2016-2018), which is close to 280% of the number of proposals submitted in the 2010-2012 period (24), and nearly twice the number (36) originally targeted by the LIFE CAP HUN project.
A total of 1 141 participants attended thematic training sessions, and 333 applications of LIFE projects consulted the helpdesks set up by the project.
Six successful Hungarian LIFE project proposals occurred under the calls for 2016 and 2017. Two of these were LIFE Integrated Projects.
At national level, the ‘Second National Climate Change Strategy’ (NCCS2) - adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on 30 October 2018 - includes a separate section on the objectives of the LIFE programme.
According to a Decision of the Hungarian Government (1072/2017), the ‘Hungarian LIFE National Co-financing System’ was established for the period between 2018 and 2024. This benefits Hungarian beneficiaries of all successful LIFE proposals, which can be consider as an important results since decision-makers are becoming more and more aware of the LIFE programme.
