Background The LIFE programme introduced action grants for capacity-building projects for the 2014-2017 funding period. These are projects designed to build Member States' capacity to participate more effectively in the LIFE Programme. Specifically, these projects propose interventions to develop the capacity to submit successful applications for funding for projects under the sub-programmes for Environment and Climate Action. Member States that meet the criteria may each receive funding of up to one million euros for one capacity-building project. Only national level public bodies responsible for implementation of LIFE in an eligible Member State in the European Union may apply for capacity-building projects. Objectives The objectives of the AwaRaEst LIFE project are to raise overall awareness about the LIFE Programme in Estonia, improve the quality of applications for LIFE funding and provide specific information about the opportunities it offers, and exploit LIFE results for replication, policy uptake or integration into economic activities and other programmes. The project will organise regular Information Days all around the country to make the LIFE Programme more visible among potential Estonian applicants and public sector officials. To improve the quality of applications, training courses will be organised in different regions, comprising technical, theoretical and practical workshops (e.g. 2-day application preparation workshops along with general project management workshop organised four times during the project). Networking and educational events will inform potential applicants about LIFE project management, how to find co-funding, and to effectively communicate with the public sector. The project will establish a helpdesk service (with a target of 30 draft proposals consulted), a new website and a support platform, to disseminate LIFE information. Activities aimed at encouraging communication between different stakeholders on a private, non-governmental and governmental level, will in the future translate to a better synergy between the stakeholders and translate into economic and political actions. Expected results: A greater awareness of the LIFE Programme in the government sector, so that officials are more likely to consider LIFE as an important funding source for reaching their goals; Potential applicants will be more educated on the possibilities of LIFE and will therefore consider it more often as a source of funding. They will also turn to the public sector more easily to get additional advice and support concerning the LIFE application process and co-funding opportunities; Potential applicants will have the know-how to draw up high-quality applications; and Potential applicants will have valuable support resources through the extended activities of the NCP, including a helpdesk and a new LIFE-related website.