ENVE chair congratulates LIFE award winners

As part of the EU Green Week, the annual LIFE awards ceremony on 3 June rewarded EU funded projects showcasing excellence in nature conservation, circularity and climate resilience. The LIFE programme is the EU's funding instrument for environment and climate action. 

The CoR’s ENVE commission chair Kostas Bakoyannis (EL/EPP), member of Athens City Council, represented EU cities and regions in the LIFE awards jury and at the ceremony opened by Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.  

He presented the LIFE award on Circular Economy and Quality of Life that was handed over to the LIFEPOPWAT project, which piloted a new nature-based technology to remove hazardous man-made chemicals from contaminated water in Czechia and Poland.

Mr Bakoyannis congratulated the winners of all categories, saying: "I was glad to represent the European Committee of the Regions as jury member for the annual LIFE awards. The LIFE programme provides funds to support the essential work of local and regional authorities. These awards give the recognition to the best LIFE projects in the EU, highlighting best practices that can often be replicated in other areas or serve as sources of inspiration. This year's winners focused on addressing issues that are essential for the well-being of our local communities". 

Read more: LIFE Awards 2025 winners and finalists