Winter is being a very hot season for the digitalization of Europe, a revolution that could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. The Digital Single Market for Europe (DSM) gave an important step in the unification of rules to strengthen fundamental rights and the European Market in December 2015 with the agreement on the reform of the Data protection rules and the first EU wide cybersecurity legislation – the Network and Information Systems Directive.

  Winter is being a very hot season for the digitalization of Europe, a revolution that could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.  The Digital Single Market for Europe (DSM) gave an important step in the unification of rules to strengthen fundamental rights and the European Market in December 2015 with the agreement on the reform of the Data protection rules and the first EU wide cybersecurity legislation – the Network and Information Systems Directive. The months to come will bring us the results of several public consultations reflecting the pace of technology and hinting how the infrastructure’s development should evolve: ·         Public consultation: eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 (closed 22/1/2016):  The new eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 will address the needs and expectations of European citizens and businesses with respect to the delivery of efficient and user-friendly government services in the EU....

In February 2016 Schuman Associates Brussels Headquarters and local offices gathered together for the annual «Away Day» to share best practices, reflect on company's values and present the business strategies for 2016.  

The Investment Plan for Europe is one of the main initiatives of the Juncker Commission. After the official launch of the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) in Summer 2015, major infrastructure projects and investment platforms start materializing across the EU.

At the end of December 2015, the EU closed the negotiations on the new European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF 2014-2020) programmes with all 28 Member States. This marks the end of a process that last for more than 3 years of intense preparations. It also paves the way for more than 450 billion EUR to be injected in the EU economies by 2020.

The European Capitals of Culture (ECOC) initiative is a major European Union action aimed at highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, as well as promoting greater mutual understanding among Europe's citizens. In addition to this, experience has shown that the event is an excellent opportunity for regenerating cities, raising the international profile of cities, the eyes of their own inhabitants and to boost tourism.

The European Commission will invest almost €16 billion in Research and Innovation in the next two years under Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation funding scheme. The full package of 2016-2017 Work Programmes is available for downloading below, including the SME Instrument Work Programme.

On 11-12^th December Schuman Associates gave a training to the delegates of Bulgarian municipalities who came to Brussels on a special invitation of Member of European Parliament Andrey NOVAKOV.

On 3rd December, Schuman Associates attended the Fi-Compass: Seminar on Financial Instruments delivering ESI Funds in Athens, Greece. The seminar, organised by DG Regio and the EIB aimed to give participants an understanding of how financial instruments can help in the efforts to deliver ESIF 2014 - 2020 objectives.

Jan Dröge, Partner at Schuman Associates will moderate the next EU Sector Seminar "PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN EU EXTERNAL ACTION PROGRAMMES". The Seminar, organized by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the EU will  gather delegates from Permanent Representations, Trade Promotion Organizations from EU Member States and over 100 companies from private sector. The seminar will take place on 10th March 2016.

On 27th October Schuman Associates organized the Third Executive Breakfast Briefing, which addressed the role and opportunities for the private sector in EU Africa cooperation programmes under the 11th EDF during 2015 and new EU Financial instruments (Agrifi, Electrifi and Africa Trust Fund). The event built on the outcomes of the first and second EEAS/DG DEVCO Schuman Executive Briefings in 2014 and key developments since then.

In the framework of an existing strategic partnership with Euractiv Romania, on the 9th of October 2015, Schuman Associates supported the organization of a special event dedicated to EU funding opportunities for agricultural and rural development in Romania.

Schuman Associates organized together with Euractiv Romania, two round table events in Bucharest, on EU funding for R&D (on the 19th of June 2015) and human resources development (on the 2nd of July 2015). The guest speaker of both events was Mr. Marius Nica, Minister of EU Funds. He was accompanied by the management of the relevant EU Programmes that support investment in the two areas: the managing authority of the Competitiveness Operational Programme, respectively the managing authority of the Human Capital Operational Programme.

Jan Dröge, Partner at Schuman Associates, moderated the EU Sector Seminar “Agriculture, Rural development and Food Security in EU External Action Instruments”, which took take place on 18th June. The Seminar, organized by the UK Perm Rep gathered delegates from Permanent Representations, Trade Promotion Organizations from EU Member States and over 100 companies from private sector. 

In June 2015 Schuman Associates co-organized an event "Satellite connectivity and public-private partnerships to boost delivery of public goods in Africa" in the Framework of European Development Days.

EDDs has established itself as the premier European forum on global development issues. It represents an unparalleled opportunity to share ideas, benchmark best practices and learn from the latest innovations to improve the impact and effectiveness of aid.

On 9 June 2015, Schuman Associates presented the Winning Business in Africa (WBIA) web portal at the IBEC premises in Dublin. The event was attended by a wide range of Irish enterprises. The WBIA is a joint initiative between the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, IBEC and Schuman Associates.

Schuman Associates was honored to be a partner of the international conference ”Financing opportunities for the private sector. The large investments” organized by EurActiv Romania and the European Commission Representation, on the 26th of May 2015, in Bucharest.

Schuman Associates was honoured to be partner of The International Conference SMEs financing opportunities 2014-2020, organized on the 12th of March, in Bucharest at the initiative of EurActiv.ro and the Representation of the European Commission in Romania. 

Schuman Associates gave an overview on EU funding in Africa at the recent seminar of Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry. The objective of this presentation was to show the priorities and challenges of the EU for financing infrastructure projects in Africa and how to grow business and benefit from EU opportunities.