LIFE the Financial Instrument for Environment, launched in 1992, is one of the spearheads of the E.U.'s environmental policy. LIFE cofinances initiatives implementing the policies of Action Programmes for the Environment.

Nowadays the Sixth Action Programme for Environment is under implementation and among its four priority actions is the following objective: "protecting and restoring the natural systems operation and halting the biodiversity loss in EU".

LIFE consists of three thematic elements. One of these, LIFE-Nature, is the specific instrument to implement the two directives "HABITATS" (92/43/CEE) e "BIRDS" (79/409/CEE) and in particular the establishment of the NATURA 200O Network for the in situ management of conservation of Europe's most remarkable fauna and flora species and habitats.

The European Union has allocated approximately 300 millions euros for LIFE-Nature for the period 2000-2004. The rate of Community cofinancing may be up to 50% of the costs. .

LEGAMBIENTE - CIRCOLO DI PIACENZA proposed to the province of Piacenza to apply for LIFE-Nature funding in 2000 with the PROGETTO INTEGRATO "TREBBIA". The project proposed by the Province of Piacenza was approved in 2001 and has a partnership with AIPO-MAGISTRATO PER IL PO, COMUNITÀ MONTANA DELL'APPENNINO PIACENTINO and COMUNI DI BOBBIO , COLI and TRAVO .

The project cost amounts to a total of 1.244.850 euros, divided as follows: