LIFE cofinances environmental activities in the Community and in certain non-Community countries (bordering on the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea and the countries of central and eastern Europe which have applied to join the European Union). ... LIFE is implemented in phases: the first phase from 23 July 1992 to 31 December 1995 was granted EUR 400 million; the second phase began on 1 January 1996 and will end on 31 December 1999 (this phase was granted approximately EUR 450 million); the third phase began on 1 January 2000 and will end on 31 December 2004 (with a budget of EUR 640 million).