Source: European Union 2 Published on: 2026-05-26
LIFE18 IPC/ES/000001. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Union under conditions. LIFE Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) play a key role in the LIFE Programme, helping authorities to implement environmental and climate strategies at municipal, regional, multi-regional and national level.
A recent 3-day LIFE Platform Meeting in Bilbao, Spain, saw more than 100 representatives from 25 climate SIPs — together worth more than €250 million of EU funding — gather to discuss their work and to celebrate 10 years of LIFE integrated projects.
‘Bilbao is not just hosting this meeting — it is acting as a convergence point where projects from very different realities come together to share a common responsibility: advancing climate action,’ Alexander Boto Bastegieta, Basque Government Deputy Minister for the Environment, told the meeting.
Sharing knowledge, experience and practical solutions In keeping with other LIFE Platform Meetings, participants shared progress, results and lessons learned through a series of working groups and panel discussions. Sessions covered multi-level governance, integrating climate objectives into other policy fields, and mobilising funding through complementary funds.
Other topics included nature-based solutions, clean energy transition and urban adaptation. The meeting also featured field visits to nearby pilot projects. In Bakio, participants saw nature-based solutions which reduce flood risks from the river which flows through the village, before moving on to Bermeo, where a re-naturalised coastal area protects against coastal erosion.
Later, in the city of Bilbao, there was a visit to a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) located in a green corridor. The street, which was previously a busy highway, helps cool the urban heat island effect, reduces flood risk and frees up green space for residents.
Participants also toured the Ekoetxea Urdaibai Centre, a leading environmental and biodiversity interpretation centre located within the UNESCO-designated Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Recognising excellence and the vital role of SIPs Despite the packed programme, there was still time to present awards to Germany’s LIFE ZENAPA (the oldest strategic climate project); LIFE ACT from Denmark (the project with the largest consortium); and LIFE URBANKLIMA 2050, which hosted the meeting.
Promoted by the Basque government, LIFE URBANKLIMA 2050 has reduced flood risks, improved infrastructure resilience and supported climate change adaptation. As Adolfo Uriarte Villalba, Director of Natural Heritage and Climate Change Adaptation for the Basque Government noted, the increased use of nature-based solutions highlights the growing role of ecosystem-based approaches in building resilience.
‘The message is clear,’ he said.
‘Effective adaptation combines strategic planning tools with sustained investment and implementation capacity at regional level.’ Concluding the meeting, Hans Rhein, Head of Unit for LIFE Energy and Climate at CINEA noted: ‘Addressing the energy crisis is essential — but it must not divert us from our climate pathway.
The cost of losing direction would be significant.’ He added that LIFE Strategic Projects work. ‘Since their launch in 2015, around 30 projects have been financed, operating across local, regional, national and EU levels, and engaging national authorities, research institutions, and key stakeholders.
With over €33 billion in complementary funding already mobilised, the potential is clear.’ For a list of the 25 strategic LIFE projects participating in Bilbao and additional information about the meeting, please visit the meeting website. Sign up for our LIFE Programme newsletters