The new sub-programme of this LIFE programme cycle, Transition to Clean Energy, builds on the successes of the Intelligent Energy – Europe (2003-2013) and Horizon 2020 Energy Efficiency (2014-2020) programmes, continuing to develop EU policies in the field of sustainable energy, primarily the European Green Plan, the Energy Union (energy and climate targets for 2030) and the EU 2050 long-term decarbonisation strategy.
The Transition to Clean Energy sub-programme has a budget of almost € 1 billion for the period 2021-2027, and aims to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, climate-neutral and resilient economy based on renewable energy sources, by funding coordination and support actions (Other action grants) across Europe. These are high EU value-added actions aimed at breaking down market barriers that hinder the socio-economic transition to sustainable energy and usually involve multiple small and medium stakeholders, many actors including local and regional public authorities and non-profit organizations, as well as consumers.
Projects co-financed by the sub-programme Transition to Clean Energy are located in the following five areas of intervention:
- building a national, regional and local framework for policies that support the transition to clean energy;
- accelerating the availability of technologies, digitalisation, new services and business models, and improving related professional skills in the marketplace;
- attracting private investment for sustainable energy;
- support for the development of local and regional investment projects;
- involving and empowering citizens in the transition to clean energy.