On 15 September, the manager of the LIFE WILDisland project participated as a panellist in the discussion "Who Pays, Who Gains? The EU Budget 2028–2034", organized in Vienna by the EU-Umweltbüro in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management.
The workshop examined the European Commission's proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, which will determine how nearly €2 trillion of EU funding is allocated in the coming years. As part of the discussion, representatives of environmental organizations, policy experts and LIFE beneficiaries were invited to share their perspectives on the proposed changes and their potential impact on nature conservation across Europe.
For the LIFE WILDisland project, the invitation to join the panel was an important recognition of the project's contribution to wetland restoration, transboundary cooperation and biodiversity conservation along the Danube. It also provided an opportunity to bring the voice of LIFE beneficiaries into a debate that could shape the future of European environmental funding.
A major concern raised throughout the event was the proposed discontinuation of the LIFE Programme as a standalone funding instrument. For more than 30 years, LIFE has been the European Union's dedicated programme for nature conservation, biodiversity restoration and environmental innovation, supporting thousands of projects that deliver tangible benefits for nature and society.
Participants highlighted concerns that the loss of LIFE could reduce funding predictability for biodiversity projects, weaken incentives for international cooperation, increase administrative complexity and make it more difficult to achieve Europe's environmental objectives.
As beneficiaries of the LIFE Programme, we were grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion and to highlight the value of long-term, dedicated support for nature conservation and restoration.
Stand with LIFE
The future of the LIFE Programme is still being discussed. If you believe that nature conservation, wetland restoration and biodiversity deserve dedicated support at European level, you can help make your voice heard by signing the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/stand-with-life
Every signature helps demonstrate the broad support for maintaining a strong and dedicated funding instrument for Europe's nature.
