On 13 December 2016, the Council approved the EU's legislative priorities for 2017 agreed beforehand with the European Parliament and the Commission. This agreement on top priorities between the Council, the Parliament and the Commission is a first in EU history. The objective is to provide a coordinated framework where the EU institutions work more closely together to tackle the significant challenges, which lie ahead.
Schuman Associates organised for the Nickel Institute a breakfast briefing in the European Parliament on the 10th of November 2016 on the “Impact of REACH Authorisation: costs and benefits”. The breakfast briefing was hosted by the Nickel Institute and MEP Inge Gräßle with the cooperation of MEP Gieseke, the European Commission, ECHA, eftec and the Maltese Presidency of the European Council 2017 as well as the European Committee for Surface Treatment (CETS).
Schuman Associates as the secretariat of Anti-Money Laundering Europe together with the CFCS at RUSI organised a policy debate around the EU policy challenges that are currently being debated particularly around the amendments of the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive, renamed as the 5th AMLD.
On 7 December, we will be holding a key debate on the upcoming policy challenges in money laundering and terrorist financing. To debate some of the issues such as information sharing and the implications of FinTech, MEP Judith Sargentini and the Financial Action Task Force will be joining us.
On 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom expressed via a Referendum its wish to leave the European Union, triggering a complex process of withdrawal.
The final arrangement, to be agreed between the UK and the EU in the coming months and years, will have a significant impact on trade and a whole host of other issues. Participation in EU funding programmes such as Horizon 2020 will also present challenges for British organisations.
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.
Schuman Associates Warsaw Office...Did you know?
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
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 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 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.
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.
E-Government services are crucial to advance towards an European Digital Single Market. For this reason, the European Commission is working to adapt the EU policy and funding context to tackle this new reality.
Skills are a key element in the prosperity and economic growth of the EU. Despite high unemployment, many employers report difficulties in recruiting staff with the right skills set, particularly the deficit in ICT skills is growing with an estimated 825,000 open vacancies by 2020. There is an pressing need for better anticipation of the skills needed by employers and for development of these skills that will be needed by the labour market. The question is, will there be operational actions included in the agenda and will they be implemented across the EU or will it become an initiative with mere guidelines for the Member States to tackle these issues nationally?
Given the growing interdependence and complexity in relations between the EU & US and in order to position our clients to maximum effect, Schuman Associates has formed a strategic alliance with a particular focus on the technology sector. Issues such as security, privacy, cybercrime, procurement, trade etc. require a dialogue with decision makers on both sides of the Atlantic. Both companies are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our clients and are delighted to create this innovative partnership. The strategic alliance will allow both companies to share their knowledge, positioning and experience, while servicing customers in global markets around technology, policy and procurement.
Schuman Associates supports the "Czech Ball Brussels 2016" organized by the European Economic Interest Grouping 'Access EU! - EEIG'. The Czech Ball Brussels 2016 took place in the Concert Noble, the favourite site of the Brussels Ball Season, on Friday January 29th 2016.
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:
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.
Schuman Associates is a Brussels-based, independent, consultancy with more than 30 years’ experience in European funding and public affairs.
