The LIFE program is the EU's financial tool for environment and climate. The general objective is to contribute to the implementation, updating and developing EU policies and legislation by financing environmental projects in member countries.

The overall aim is to create a resource efficient and climate resilient society, to halt the loss of biodiversity, and provide support to the management of Natura 2000 sites (see below). Projects that are in line with these aims may recive LIFE funding.

The European Commission awards large sums to projects for environmental improvement in several countries. Since the program began, more than 130 Swedish projects have received funding through LIFE. Of those, 82 focused on environmental innovation, 48 on nature conservation and one on information and communication. In total that correspond to an investment of 365 Euros, where LIFE contributed 152.5 million Euro.

Natura 2000 is a network of protected sites within the EU. The aim of the network is to halt the extinction of species and habitats that are typical of the region where they are located. In Sweden there are approximately 4000 Natura 2000 sites. Natura 2000 covers valuable sites with species or habitats that are particularly worthy of protection from a European perspective. Many Natura 2000 sites are also protected as national parks or nature reserves.

Here you can see which Swedish sites that are protected: The Environmental Protection Agency.
Link to skyddadnatur.naturvardsverket.se >

The Swedish Marine and Water Agency is the authority in charge of managing our water resources at the national level. Their work is about preserving, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of lakes, rivers and oceans. In the project, the agency acts as a co-financer, providing funds equivalent to about a quarter of the project. Read more about the Marine and Water Agency and their work on their website: havochvatten.se >.

The mission of the County Administrative Board is simplified into three parts: the development of the county, to work towards national policy objectives in the county and to be a managing authority. The project Triple Lakes is both part of the provincial government work with water management and implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, and part the work for achieving the Swedish environmental objectives and management of protected nature.

The Water Framework Directive aims to make lakes and streams have good ecological status, which means that the water is clean and that naturally occurring plants and animals can live there. Waters at risk of not achieving the goals to be addressed.

The Water Framework Directive goes hand in hand with the national environmental quality objective of "living lakes and rivers", where the Parliamentary definition of the target reads: "Lakes and watercourses must be ecologically sustainable and their variety of habitats must be preserved. Natural productivity, biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape ecological and water management function should be preserved while recreational assets are safeguarded." It is the county administrative board's responsibility to break down the national target for regional objectives through these contribute to the national target is met.

In the project Triple Lakes, we have been working within Natura 2000 sites. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency coordinates the work with Natura 2000 on a national level, but the County Board is responsible for the protection, management and supervision of the areas. The project actions have been directly related to the care and management of the designated areas.