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 to develop the capacity to 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 one million euros for one capacity-building project. Only national level public bodies responsible for implementation of LIFE in an eligible Member State in the European Union may apply for capacity-building projects.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE Capacity Building Slovenia project aimed to improve environmental policy implementation by fostering awareness of the LIFE Programme and helping to develop more and better LIFE project applications. Furthermore, it aimed to increase LIFE Programme and other EU funding absorption capacity, in order to implement strategic and operational environmental programmes in Slovenia. The project also aimed to foster and disseminate project management skills, thereby empowering a project-based approach to tackling environmental challenges.
RESULTS
The project improved the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning’s capacity to support LIFE programme applicants in Slovenia. Better awareness of the LIFE programme’s implementation and rising interest for more and better LIFE project applications yielded good results. For example, there was a 50% success in the LIFE 2016 call, two integrated projects were awarded in the LIFE 2017 call and a 25% success of submitted concept notes was seen in the LIFE 2018 call. In parallel, improved and effective communication between the LIFE National Contact Point and applicants was established: on average 100 questions were answered per month and numerous bilateral meetings were held. A clear increase was seen in the capacity for preparing good LIFE project proposals, achieved through high-quality training events, information days and specialised workshops.
In addition, improved international (regional) cooperation was established in order to help tackle trans-boundary environmental issues, especially with neighbouring countries.
The project set up a website, available in six languages, as well as active Facebook and Twitter accounts; its website, Twitter account and help desk are frequently visited, even after the project’s end.
The project outputs in concrete figures are as follows:
- The help desk was consulted about 184 (draft) proposals;
- The number of participants in financial/technical training offered totalled 2 018, plus 240 for networking events;
- The number of project proposals submitted, as compared to previous years, increased from 23 to 52;
- The number of potential beneficiaries reached through different media totalled 5,400;
- The website received almost 960 visits per month, or more than 40 000 in total from 18 000 users;
- The Facebook page received 120 page views per month and over 590 likes in total;
- The Twitter account saw 60 profile visits per month and had 210 followers in total; and
- The project was mentioned in 66 web media articles, 10 daily newspaper articles, 3 articles in weekly newspaper editions, 6 articles in monthly newspaper editions, on one radio broadcast and on one broadcast on national television.
The project improved integration and synergies between Slovenian applicants, as well as with existing partnerships and new potential beneficiaries, who traditionally did not cooperate (e.g. the conservation sector with the agriculture and water management sectors; NGOs with the private sector).
Further information on the project can be found in the project's After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
