The LIFE programme is a European initiative, launched in May 1992, to promote the implementation of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme. The main purpose of the LIFE programme is to encourage countries of the European Union to adopt the principles of sustainable development - the achievement of an acceptable balance between; human activity, economic development and environmental protection and enhancement.

As the total amount of support funding is limited, LIFE has been designated as a demonstration programme through which funding is provided for selected pilot projects where innovative approaches are being used to address issues of common interest to a number of countries within the Union. There is considerable emphasis on disseminating information on the pilot projects widely within Europe such that the experience obtained through the programme can be built upon and successful projects replicated in other Member States.

In 1995 the CALEDONIAN PARTNERSHIP secured a £710,000 funding package under the LIFE programme to 'create a foundation for the long term restoration and management of Scotland's Caledonian Forest resource.'

The integrated work programme has included scientific research to better understand the processes of forest degredation, the establishment of a database of all semi-natural woodland that can be described as Caledonian Forest and a range of habitat restoration measures in Glen Affric.