What is LIFE B4B?
The LIFE Belgium for Biodiversity project (LIFE B4B) is one of the first LIFE Strategic Nature Projects (SNaP) of the European LIFE programme (= EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action).
- LIFE B4B runs from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2032.
- The total budget for the project is €36.8 million.
- Project acronym: LIFE21-IPN-BE-B4B LIFE
Find out more about the LIFE programme
Objective of LIFE B4B
LIFE B4B aims to contribute to the protection and restoration of biodiversity in Belgium. The focus is on facilitating the implementation of existing regional policy frameworks and the programme of measures for Belgian marine waters. The project is being implemented by a consortium of 14 partners: all Belgian authorities responsible for Natura 2000 policy and eight other partners, including other authorities and stakeholders. LIFE B4B will be active throughout Belgium.
LIFE B4B protects biodiversity by improving the integrity of protected areas (Natura 2000 areas and other green infrastructure). This means expanding protected areas, connecting protected areas, installing appropriate management in protected areas and preventing violations of nature regulations in protected areas.
LIFE B4B is also committed to restoring biodiversity by improving the conservation status of species and habitats/living areas. A special large-scale restoration agenda will be set up and implemented with additional funding. In addition, species protection programmes (SPPs) and action plans for species and habitats/living areas will be drawn up and implemented with additional funding. Biodiversity in agriculture will receive the necessary attention through nature-inclusive agriculture. Various pilot projects will be set up to test tools for the conservation of biodiversity on privately owned land in Belgium.
Efforts will also be made to reduce the impact of environmental pressures on Belgian biodiversity, such as light pollution, wastewater and recreation. Various pilot projects will be launched to reduce the impact of these environmental pressures. If successful, these will be scaled up further, using additional funding. Hydrology and climate change have an impact on biodiversity and therefore deserve the necessary attention within the framework of this project.
LIFE B4B wants to work with all partners to enable systemic change: many stakeholders and actors are involved in the restoration and conservation of our biodiversity. To further strengthen this network, various horizontal measures are being taken. These include providing training, communicating with stakeholders, sharing knowledge, Natura 2000 branding and using relationship managers or ambassadors to place biodiversity higher on the agenda of other policy areas. Internationally, LIFE B4B will also contribute to the European biogeographical process Natura 2000.
The team
The project is coordinated by a project management team. This team consists of two people, Tom Andries and Rieke Lenaert. The project management team is responsible for the day-to-day monitoring of the project, maintains contact with the European Commission, facilitates cooperation between the various partners and ensures accurate reporting.
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Our partners
Together with these partners, we are working to protect and restore Belgian biodiversity.
