Schuman Associates news

Healthcare is one of the largest sectors in the EU contributing to job creation and to economic growth. It accounts for 8% of the total European workforce and for 10% of the EU´s GDP. However, the health systems models applied today result in ever-increasing costs. On 13th October,  under the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities, Philips and Schuman Associates co-organised a Side Event in Brussels with key EU stakeholders to reflect on how ESIF funds can drive innovation in health systems. 

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.

Have the pleasure to invite you to a roundtable panel:

How EU structural and investment funds drive innovation in healthcare. Would simplification help? 

The event is organized under the umbrella of European Week of Regions and Cities 2016 (EWRC) and it will take place on:

13 October between 9:00 and 11:00.

In yesterday`s State of the European Union address, President Junker announced that the Commission proposes €400 million more for Horizon 2020. The proposed increase in the budget of the EU`s largest research and innovation programme was confirmed by Commissioner Modeas and Commissioner Georgieva.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Due to the high specialisation of each organisation, it is crucial to collaborate with other bodies to benefit from synergies and from  different expertise.  But how to find the right partner for the right project? This is a big challenge for every instituion involved in Horizon 2020 projects, might it be industries, research organisations, SMEs, or universities.

Distinct from the well-known Brussels-based institutions, decentralised agencies are another important component of the European Union ecosystem. These bodies have been set up by the EU in different Member States to carry out technical, scientific or managerial tasks that help institutions make and implement policies.