The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an independent EU body contributing to the objectives set out in Horizon 2020, in particular by addressing societal challenges in a manner that is complementary to other initiatives in these areas. EIT brings together the "knowledge triangle" of business (including SMEs), education and research to form dynamic cross-border partnerships, the so-called Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).  These KICs strengthen cooperation among European innovators and entrepreneurs, and they create favourable environments for creative ideas and new solutions to emerge. Since 2010 six KICs have been launched: EIT Climate-KIC; EIT Digital; EIT InnoEnergy; EIT Health; EIT Raw Materials and EIT Food. In 2018 EIT is launching two new KICs: 1) EIT Manufacturing strengthening and increasing the competitiveness of Europeกฏs manufacturing industryHigh value or added-value manufacturingProduct and service innovationProcess excellenceHigh brand recognitionEnvironmentally friendly solutionsSustainability2) EIT Urban Mobility smart, green and integrated urban transportGreener, more inclusive, safer, smarterNew mobility conceptsTransport...

OpenPM² is a project management methodology designed by the European Commission. Its purpose is to enable project teams to manage their projects effectively, and to deliver solutions and benefits to their organisations and stakeholders. While OpenPM² is suitable for any type of project, it is ideal for projects related to the public sector, or EU programmes and grants. Our colleagues Ruth Estrada and Isane Aparicio attended the two days conference on #OpenPM2 organised by the European Commission in Brussels the 1st and 2nd of February. If you want to know more about this open methodology, do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Image Source: European Commission

The EU External Investment Plan (EIP) will leverage up to EUR 44 bn in private investments across Africa and the EU Neighbourhood until 2020. The key financial instrument of the EIP is the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSD) – an EU guarantee worth EUR 4.1 bn designed to back up risky investments that otherwise will not happen.

At the end of October, the European Commission published the final Work Programmes for Horizon 2020, covering the budgetary years 2018, 2019 and 2020 and representing an investment of around €30 billion.

The European Commission’s DG Connect has launched the Digital Opportunity pilot project to provide digital internships to students across Europe.

What do you need to know?

During a two-hour online meeting held at the beginning of September B-WISER consortium took stock of the activities carried out within Work Package 1 and started discussions for the launch of WP2.

While the last cut-off dates of the 2017 SME Instrument call for proposals are approaching, it is already time to look ahead and share some details about what applicants should expect by the new calls to be launched under the 2018-2020 Work Programmes.

Schuman Associates analysed a draft version of the new European Innovation Council pilot WP 2018-2020 that, on top of the SME Instrument, also include three other innovation support schemes: Fast Track to Innovation (FTI), FET Open and Inducement Prizes. All these schemes have been adapted to support market-creating innovation more effectively, also taking into account recommendations collected from the Horizon 2020 interim evaluation.

Please take a look at our new Fact Sheet on the Erasmus+ Sport project B-WISER, in cooperation with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the Adecco Group, research & elite sport institutions and dual career experts: https://prezi.com/view/VqG57o2nZRECxHA2MYuh/  

We are currently looking for a social media & community manager 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!

On 30 April the ERASMUS+ project “B-WISER” closed its fourth month of activities. After a fruitful and interactive kick-off meeting in January, all the partners started working on the project’s implementation under the seamless coordination and supervision by the VUB.

Schuman Associates has participated in the roundtable organized by Polityka Insight in Warsaw. Industry representatives gathered with Minister of Digitization Anna Streżyńska, Deputy Minister of Development Jerzy Kwieciński, and the head of Office of Electronic Communications, Marcin Cichy to discuss the main challenges and opportunities for mobile technologies investments in Poland. 

The European Commission set up a Support Facility for the Broadband Competence Offices (BCOs). The Brussels-based facility is starting its operations in January 2017 and will help BCOs to share their experiences in a European network. Read the interview with Jan Dröge from Schuman Associates, who is starting up the support facility.

On 25-26 January, Schuman Associates travelled to Verona, Italy, to take part to the kick-off meeting of B-WISER - “Be a Winner In Sport & Employment before and after athletic Retirement”, a brand-new EU project funded under ERASMUS+ Sport.

Schuman Associates joined the launch of the new framework at a European Conference on Fostering IT Professionalism in Europe. The framework is based on four building blocks: Competences, Body of Knowledge, Education & Training and Professional Ethics.

Schuman Associates has been invited by the Vienna University to enhance the skills of their project managers when applying for Erasmus + proposals. On the 1st and 2nd December, Isane Aparicio will be presenting the do's and dont's for a succesful proposal for the Knowledege Alliance call, which is currently open until next 28th February 2017. Check all current opportunites HERE

Do you run an SME and need additional funding for research?  EUROSTARS is an exciting opportunity for R&D performing SMEs. This joint programme between EUREKA and the European Commission supports the development of innovative products, process and services close to market. In the 2014-2020 period it has a total public budget of €1.14 billion. 

On 16th September 2016 Schuman Associates Schuman in partnership with BECI is organizing a one day Training Workshop "Unlocking EU Funding opportunities in Africa" on how to participate to financed EU projects in Africa.

Schuman Associates Madrid Office...Did you know?

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

Schuman Associates Warsaw Office...Did you know?

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”).