• By the end of the project: at least substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy/action plan, and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation of the plan/strategy/action plan.
• After the project (3-5 years after): catalysing full implementation of the targeted plan(s)/strategy(ies)/action plan(s).

At stage 2 (full proposal), applicants should review relevant indicators (KPI) in Part C of the eGrant application and complete them with the estimated impact of the project. Part C data should be coherent with the description of impacts of section 2 of Part B of the Application Form.

In case Part C does not include impact indicators that are important for your project (e.g.: NOx emission reduction in case of Air quality projects) you should make use of the indicator “Other project specific KPIs” in Part C and provide a relevant description of such indicators in section 2 of Part B of the Application Form.

If relevant, projects must upload a Geographic Information System (GIS) file and associated data of the specific geographical area where the intervention took place as a deliverable in their final report. This map should enable to spatially visualise the impact already reported in the KPI database. The specific format and technical requirements of the GIS files will be provided to the supported projects during their implementation.

More detailed KPI information will be requested during the project implementation time.

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Circular Economy SIPs:

These SIPs shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of National or Regional Circular Economy Action Plans, Strategies, Roadmaps or similar.

Such Plans or Strategies will be considered as eligible for this SIP topic provided that they:

• are officially approved,
• include specific and measurable actions, or targets, with a clear timeline and
• are in line with or complement the objectives of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.

The extent to which each proposal contributes to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.

Waste SIPs:

These SIPs shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of the WMPs as required by Article 28 of the Waste Framework Directive and/or WPPs as requested by Article 29 of the Waste Framework Directive.

With the chosen set of actions, the Waste SIP proposals should demonstrate their EU added value with regard to their contribution to the implementation of the waste hierarchy (Article 4 of the Waste Framework Directive), the achievement of the recycling targets as foreseen in Article 11 of the Waste Framework Directive and additional targets included in the EU waste legislation, as well as the implementation of necessary measures to support those objectives.

The extent to which each proposal contributes to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.

Further to the general objectives of SIPs, the proposals should therefore address the following aspects:

• the expected level of implementation of the WMPs/WPPs as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP in particular for investments for collection, sorting and treatment of waste;
• the impact on the reduction of waste generation, the re-use of products and preparing for re-use activities, increase in separate collection (in particular for paper, glass, metal, plastic and bio-waste), recycling, material recovery, phasing out landfilling, reduction of littering and reduction or adequate treatment of hazardous waste;
• the implementation of the Landfill Directive, Waste Shipment Regulation and specific waste streams directives, like the WEEE Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive;
• the implementation of economic instruments in support of sustainable waste management (extended producer responsibility, Pay-As-You-Throw schemes, landfill/incineration taxes);
• the development of communication, education and awareness-raising actions in support of the above mentioned objectives (including use of novel techniques such as social media, interaction with schools etc.) ;
• the expected improvement/consolidation of the long term capacity to monitor and assess the generation of municipal waste, its composition, its treatment according to the waste hierarchy, as well as the reinforcement of controls on movements (shipments) of waste;
• where applicable, the contribution to the implementation of the recommendations to the Member States included in the Roadmaps elaborated under the compliance-promotion exercises in support of the implementation of the European waste legislation.

Water SIPs

The extent to which proposals for Water SIPs contribute to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.

Considerations relevant only to water SIPs targeting river basin management plans (RBMPs):

These SIPs shall support the targeted implementation of measures that will deliver progress towards achievement of Water Framework Directive good status/potential objectives, in line with RBMP established in Member States pursuant to the Water Framework Directive.

SIPs should implement a chosen set of measures identified as necessary in the RBMP in a whole river basin or large sub-catchment.

The projects should focus on large scale (e.g. major sub-catchment or river basin) planning and establishment of measures to increase water retention in urban and rural areas, enhance infiltration, increase water storage capacity and remove pollutants through natural or "natural-like" processes. They should seek synergies to implement actions that will redress existing hydro-morphological pressures and improve biodiversity and amenity value.

The proposed actions should target significant pressures impacting on current water status in that river basin in general, and significant pressures affecting the environment’s capacity for water retention in particular. Such pressures should have been identified in the most recent assessments carried out by the Member State for the preparation of implementation plans for relevant EU legislation and policies (e.g. Water Framework Directive, MSFD, Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Drinking Water Directive, Bathing Water Directive, Flood Directive and/or Drought plans).

SIPs targeting RBMPs should demonstrate their EU added value with regard to their contribution towards achieving Water Framework Directive objectives – either in a quantified reduction of pressure or a predicted improvement in water bodies towards good status. Where possible this should be supplemented with an assessment of the wider ecosystem service benefits that will be realised through the SIP.

Further to the general objectives of SIPs, the proposals should address the following aspects:

• the expected level of implementation of the target RBMP as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP,
• the impact of the project in terms of addressing significant unaddressed pressures and or improvement towards Water Framework Directive good status/potential objectives,
• how an ecosystems approach will be used to define and implement actions that deliver for Water Framework Directive but also for other EU water policy objectives (MSFD, Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Drinking Water Directive, Nitrate Directive, Bathing Water Directive, Flood directive and/or Drought plans), and an assessment of the environmental, social and economic benefits that are expected to be realized through the SIP,
• how the SIP will help delivery of the Water Framework Directive outside the scope of the SIP - transferability of results to other river basins.

Considerations relevant only to water SIPs targeting Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs):

These SIPs shall support the targeted implementation of measures identified in the flood risk management plans established in Member States, focused on prevention, protection and preparedness pursuant to the Directive on the assessment and management of flood risks.

SIPs should aim at the implementation of the whole set of measures identified in the flood risk management plans (FRMP) and ensure adequate involvement all the concerned stakeholders in the process.

Further to the general objectives of SIPs, the proposals should address the following aspects:

• the expected level of implementation of the target FRMPs as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the SIP;
• the impact of the project in terms of addressing significant flood risks; and
• how the SIP will help delivery of the Floods Directive outside the scope of the SIP - transferability of results especially in terms of the coordination of flood risk management practices with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, but also coordination in transboundary river basins, including with third countries.

Considerations relevant only to water SIPs targeting Marine Strategies:

These SIPs shall support the targeted implementation of measures or actions that need to be taken in order to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the marine waters of each Member State. These measures or actions should be identified within the Member States’ Marine Strategies that have been established pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This is in line with the EU mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters" that aims to protect and restore the health of ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments.

The SIPs should aim at the implementation of the whole set of measures/actions in Marine Strategy of the Member State, ensuring adequate involvement of all the concerned stakeholders in the process, as well as, if needed, cooperation with other Member States or international organisations such as the Regional Sea Conventions, sharing the same marine region.

Further to the general objectives of SIPs, the proposals should address the following aspects:

• the expected level of implementation of the targeted Marine Strategies as direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the SIP;
• the impact of the project in terms of ensuring good environmental status of marine waters; and
• how the SIP will help the delivery of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive outside the scope of the SIP - transferability of results especially in terms of the coordination of marine measures/actions/practices in shared marine regions, including with third countries.

Air Quality SIPs

SIPs falling under the thematic priority area of Air shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation, monitoring and further development of local and regional Air Quality Plans (AQPs) as defined by Directive 2008/50/EC, or for the implementation, monitoring and further development of National Air Pollution Control Programmes (NAPCP) pursuant to the National Emission reduction Commitment Directive 2016/2284.

In general, large scale projects will be favoured. Accordingly, if an Air SIP is based on local AQPs, then it should include coordination and cooperation between at least five cities with such plans.

In case the Air SIP is based on one or more regional AQPs, the LIFE SIP projects should include coordination and cooperation between a substantial number of local administrations and regional administrations concerned. In case the Air Quality SIP is based on a NAPCP, the project should include coordination and cooperation with a substantial number of relevant actors at national, regional and local level, such as national or regional environment agencies, administrations of regions and large urban agglomerations, associations.

The extent to which each proposal contributes to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.

The proposals should therefore address the following aspects:

• the expected level of implementation and associated air quality improvements of the AQP or NAPCP as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP (in particular the contribution towards compliance with EU air quality legislation (for AQP-based SIPs, existing limit and target values for ambient air quality and, where possible, levels recommended by the WHO, and for NAPCP- based SIPs the National Emission reduction Commitments;
• the attention given to the chain of actions required to implement, evaluate and further develop an AQP or NAPCP: monitoring and modelling, establishing emission inventories and source attributions, policy development and implementation, public information and participation;
• the contribution to strengthening the air quality management and governance, including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities at local, regional and national level;
• the geographic area and the number of people that would benefit from better levels of air quality, taking into account any challenging geographical, meteorological and socio-economic conditions.

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