Schuman Associates Madrid Office...Did you know?

Did you know that in 2016 Spain celebrates 30 years being in the EU?

The European Commission published today an updated work programme for 2017 of Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation funding scheme. In the course of 2017, the Commission will invest €8.5 billion in a number of cross cutting initiatives, such as: Circular Economy (€325 million), Smart and Sustainable Cities (€115 million), Green Vehicles (€133 million) and Internet of Things (€37 million). The major novelty of the new programme is the introduction of open research data in all new Horizon 2020 calls, making the free online access to scientific data the norm. The new programme will also support research of migration trends and policies and will increase funding for cutting-edge research.

We are currently looking for a graphic designer for a full-time assignment with the European Commission. Please visit Work with us section for further details. We look forward to hearing from you!

Schuman Associates Warsaw Office...Did you know?

On 1st July 2016 Schuman Associates delivered a workshop to BECI-Brussels Enterprises Commerce & Industry on the new EU Financial instruments for Africa (Agrifi, Electrifi, and Africa Trust Fund). BECI represents 35,000 companies with economic activities in Brussels, as well as self-employed individuals, company managers and liberal professions.

This information session presented the challenges for enhancing the public private partnership between the EU and Africa and opportunities for private companies with these EU Financial Instruments.

This Thursday, Schuman Associates through its platform Anti-Money Laundering Europe will organise an event on the EU Action Plan 'to strengthen the fight against the financing of terrorism'. Information sharing features heavily on the agenda, with Europol delivering the keynote speech. The vote for Brexit leaves some questions as to the type of relationship of sharing and collaborating the UK will have with the EU. The UK is currently implementing the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive which is based on FATF standards and overall financial crime policies implemented by the EU follow standards or recommendations by the UN and OECD. So while Brexit does present some questions for the UK on the future of cooperation with the EU and the implementation of the EU Action Plan, but also it poses questions for the EU. What affects the EU policy will have without the UK setting an example for other Member States in this area? We look forward to debating this new dimension at the conference. For further information see the agenda below and for more insights on the Brexit and EU policy please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Twitter Conversation can be followed via the following hashtags: #CTFConfEP #TerroristFinancing

On the 17th of June the Africa Ireland Economic Forum took place in the Convention Centre Dublin. This year’s event was held at one of the most well-known locations in Ireland and saw the participation of high-level speakers from several key African countries and the full support from the Department of Foreign Affairs with the presence of the Minister of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Ms. Mary Mitchell O'Connor and the Director General of Irish Aid, Mr. Michael Gaffey.

Schuman Associates was honoured to respond to the invitation of The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Poland and the Netherlands-Polish Chamber of Commerce and to participate in the international conference “Transforming healthcare. EU funding for strategic innovation and development projects. Dutch and Polish experiences” that took place on the 14th of June in Warsaw.

Schuman Associates had a pleasure to take part in the trainee job fair at the EU Council. We participated in workshops and presentations of NGOs, media companies, consultancy and law firms to present work opportunities at Schuman Associates.

Schuman Associates was honored to participate as speaker in the “IoT 2016 Madrid Forum” with its theme of "IoT: Innovation & Technology"organized by Executive Forum, on the 2nd of June, in Madrid.

The pressure that the EU is facing to cope with the increased flow of migration from Africa has been translated in the establishment of a Trust Fund which will help targeted countries to deal with this phenomenon. The Trust Fund has three operational windows in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Lake Chad region and the North of Africa. As of May 2016 the European Commission has approved a total of 50 projects worth over €730 million.

Interviewed by Polskie Radio to shed light on the Brussels public affairs arena.

Listen online (in Polish)

http://www.polskieradio.pl/130/4963/Artykul/1624364 , Swiat-w-Poludnie-Za-kulisami-instytucji-europejskich

MEP Andrey NOVAKOV and Schuman Associates

Have the pleasure to invite you to a workshop

European Fund for Strategic Investments - What's in it for Europe a year on?

23 May, 15:00 -19.00

European Parliament in Brussels

Would you like to join over 5,000 people from 140 countriesto debate the world’s most pressing issues? Register for the European Development Days 2016 (EDD 2016) before 15 May 2016. 

By April 2016, all EU Member States must transpose into their national legislations the 3 Procurement Directives adopted by the EU in 2014 as part of the Public Procurement Reform:

1. Directive 2014/23/EU on the award of concession contracts (“Concession Directive”),
2. Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (“Classical Directive”) and
3. Directive 2014/25/EU on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors (“Utilities Directive”).

The Commission has recently presented its long awaited list of priority initiatives for 2016. These strategic policy measures are launched in the context of the EU Work Programmes 2015 and 2016. Many of these initiatives will form the next wave of EU law  or will serve as the basis to reshape existing legislation.

Today Schuman Associates attended the info day in Madrid on second Interreg Europe call. Both, the EU Funds Unit from the Spanish Ministry of Public Affairs and the Interreg Secretariat, shared with the audience key information and advices to help Spanish participants in the process of preparation of competitive proposals for this second round.
If you are interested see below our post in Spanish.

Following the announcement of our partnership with US consultancy Bond & Associates, we have co-authored an article for US political newspaper, The Hill on the opportunities in cybersecurity in the EU. The upcoming European Public Private Partnership on Cybersecurity will bring market opportunities for EU and US companies.

From connectivity and digital skills to public services, EU countries have made progress since last year which marked the launch of the Digital Single Market Strategy by the European Commission. Yes, the EU is progressing, but slowly.