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.

On 3rd December, Schuman Associates attended the Fi-Compass: Seminar on Financial Instruments delivering ESI Funds in Athens, Greece. The seminar, organised by DG Regio and the EIB aimed to give participants an understanding of how financial instruments can help in the efforts to deliver ESIF 2014 - 2020 objectives.

On 18th November Schuman Associates organised a cocktail reception in the European Parliament around the topic of “Sports and physical activity for active and healthy ageing - the Tai Chi example”. The event, co-hosted by MEPs Marian Harkin, Lambert Van Nistelrooij, Marc Tarabella, Heinz Becker and Alojz Peterle, was sponsored by AGE Platform Europe and the Italian Federation of Wushu Kung Fu (FIWUK). During the debate all MEPs recognized the key role physical activity can play in the current European ageing societies and stressed the importance of sport as a prevention tool. The event emphasized the need to support sport and physical activity as a full part of active and healthy ageing processes. The highlight of the event was a series of demonstrations of the art of Tai Chi showcased by professional coaches and teachers from FIWUK. All participants, including the MEPs, were invited to practice a few movements of this...

In November 2015 Schuman Associates organised a cocktail reception in the European Parliament around the topic of “Sports and physical activity for active and healthy ageing - the Tai Chi example”.

Jan Dröge, Partner at Schuman Associates will moderate the next EU Sector Seminar "PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN EU EXTERNAL ACTION PROGRAMMES". The Seminar, organized by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the EU will  gather delegates from Permanent Representations, Trade Promotion Organizations from EU Member States and over 100 companies from private sector. The seminar will take place on 10th March 2016.

On 27th October Schuman Associates organized the Third Executive Breakfast Briefing, which addressed the role and opportunities for the private sector in EU Africa cooperation programmes under the 11th EDF during 2015 and new EU Financial instruments (Agrifi, Electrifi and Africa Trust Fund). The event built on the outcomes of the first and second EEAS/DG DEVCO Schuman Executive Briefings in 2014 and key developments since then.

On Wednesday 14 October 2015, Laura Heuvinck spoke on behalf of Anti-Money Laundering Europe (AME) at the Council of Notaries of the European Union (CNUE) money laundering lunch debate.

On October 2nd, Lene Topp from Schuman Associates conducted a tailored training on EU funding for corporations and trade associations for selected members of the Public Affairs Council. During the training the participants obtained an understanding of EU funding and why it matters as well as insights on how to position and tender for funds managed by the European Commission.

In the framework of an existing strategic partnership with Euractiv Romania, on the 9th of October 2015, Schuman Associates supported the organization of a special event dedicated to EU funding opportunities for agricultural and rural development in Romania.

Schuman Associates supportied partners from Hungary and Romania to organise the workshop ‘Smart solutions for citizens’ under the umbrella of the Open Days 2015.

  Schuman Associates was invited by Cambium Networks to deliver the keynote speech of their 2015 EMEA Partner event in Cape Town in September. Danai Tsapikidou, Partner with Schuman Associates presented the Digital Agenda for Europe and its international dimension, as well as the investment opportunities emanating across EMEA.

  Schuman Associates has a longstanding track record in creating and delivering EU trainings and workshops on all aspects of EU funds and policy. We can provide customised internal training according to your needs. Check our training portfolio here.