Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today announced details of a joint programme with the Department of Foreign Affairs to help Irish companies compete with other European businesses for billions of European Development Funds (EDF) earmarked for projects up to 2020. The Winning Business in Africa programme is an online one-stop-shop for companies providing the information and support needed to bid on over 200 projects in Sub-Saharan countries worth €7 billion. The comprehensive database is backed up with advice and support, from funding experts Schuman Associates, for companies that want to access these contracts.

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.

On 28^th January Schuman Associates as secretariat of AME organised a lunch seminar with a fruitful discussion around the topics: The ongoing implementation of the 4th Anti-money Laundering Directive and issues/gaps around AML, Terrorist financing, Fraud, Tax evasion which need to be handled during the 5th AMLD and 2016 Priorities.

Until now, eHealth policies have mainly focused on institutions and IT systems. Today, that focus is shifting and is now being placed on eHealth users. The people who are using eHealth are becoming increasingly involved in the discussion and being placed at the heart of eHealth policy-making.

As announced by the European Agenda on Security adopted in April 2015 and reiterated by the Agenda on Migration presented in May, the European Commission is about to finalise its revised legislative proposal on Smart Borders. The new proposal, which is supposed to be published next March ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council scheduled on 10-11/03, comes at a very delicate time. Growing travellers flows combined with the current refugee crisis are putting the EU common external borders under an increasing pressure and scrutiny and Member States are confronted with increasing difficulties to manage this situation.

With the kick off of the San Sebastian European Capital of Culture 2016, Schuman Associates (SA) had the opportunity to chat with the Communication Director of San Sebastian 2016 Capital of Culture, Fernando Álvarez (FA) and this is what he shared with us:

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 Commission is consulting on the new eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020, one of the actions for completing the Digital Single Market, as announced in the Communication on a Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe.
The new eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 will address the needs, requirements and expectations of European citizens and businesses with respect to the delivery of effective, efficient and user-friendly government services in the EU.

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 Netherlands, a country with a strong business-friendly reputation, has just taken over the Council presidency at a crucial time for the EU. With strong political backing from top European Commission officials (First VP Frans Timmermans and Secretary-General Alexander Italianer), the Dutch presidency is committed to pursue a focused and pragmatic agenda and expected to deliver on its key priorities.

  Schuman Associates is proud to have been selected by the European Commission to work as advisors on the setting up of the Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) network. The objective is to accelerate the roll out of broadband infrastructure using EU funds in Member States. Through its specific experience in this sector, Schuman Associates will contribute to the exchange of best practices and recommendation on implementation structures for Broadband investments in Member States and Regions. Read more on: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/broadband-competence-offices

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.

Last week, Schuman Associates participated in European Commission DG REGIO’s lecture series on key issues in regional and urban policy, organised in cooperation with European Regional Science Association (ERSA).

On the 17th November, Paul RÜBIG, Member of the European Parliament and Dave ELLIOTT, Chief Executive of Surface Engineering Association and President of the European Committee for Surface Treatment (CETS) hosted a breakfast briefing in the European Parliament’s Member Salon, in Brussels.