Capacity building for the LIFE Programme in Iceland

forthcoming

Despite basing much of its national identity on its unspoiled nature, Iceland faces significant challenges in aligning national practices with the goals of the LIFE Programme. Since joining LIFE as the first Associated Country in 2021, Iceland has demonstrated initial success, but this has primarily been driven by a limited group of public-sector participants. Expanding participation and improving proposal quality, as well as increasing public and political support for the programme, is crucial to ensure alignment with its objectives. LIFE-ICECAP seeks to address these challenges over 36 months. Its primary goal is to increase the impact of the LIFE Programme in Iceland by addressing barriers to participation, thereby increasing participation rates and quality of proposals from Icelandic applicants. To reach this goal, the following objectives have been identified: 1) Conducting a policy gap analysis to align Iceland’s policies with EU priorities; 2) Mapping the LIFE stakeholder community in Iceland; 3) Developing participant competencies; 4) Developing NCP competencies; 5) Ensuring the sustainability of project outcomes; and 6) Fostering synergies between LIFE and complimentary sources of funding. The project’s activities include stakeholder engagement initiatives, targeted training for applicants and NCPs, and the development of tools such as a LIFE Toolkit and public outreach. By addressing barriers such as limited resources, misalignment of co-funding mechanisms, and a narrow participant base, the project will ensure a broader reach and a more diverse pool of LIFE participants. Ultimately, this project supports the LIFE Programme’s overarching goals of fostering a sustainable, circular, climate-resilient economy while protecting and restoring the environment. Improved NCP services and applicant outcomes in Iceland will enhance the programme’s impact and relevance, demonstrating Iceland’s commitment to EU and global environmental goals.