LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, as well as in some candidate, acceding and neighboring countries. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 3506 projects, contributing approximately €2.5 billion to the protection of the environment.

The LIFE Programme has 3 major components and the Project „Conservation of the Genetic Fund and Restoration of Priority Forest Habitats in NATURA 2000 Sites” is supported under the Nature & Biodiversity component. This component continues and extends the former LIFE-Nature programme. It supports best practice or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. In addition it will co-finance innovative or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the objectives of Commission Communication (COM (2006) 216 final) "Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond". At least 50% of the LIFE+ budget for project co-financing must be dedicated to LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity projects.