Schuman Associates news

The new EU Industrial Strategy was presented by the European Commission on 5 May. Although progress was made on the 2020 Industrial Strategy actions and many of the tools geared towards a common, sustainable development of the EU were found fit for purpose, the pandemic brought significant challenges for Euro...

Common challenges, common solutions? Council of Europe Development Bank webinar 6 May, 14:30-16:00 CEST Context Europe is currently facing a health crisis coupled with intensifying challenges brought about by climate change.  The pandemic hit at the heart of existing social vulnerabilities in Europe related to the growing i...

Highlights from The Adecco Group's high-level event on the crucial role that skills investment needs to play in transitioning toward a Green Economy Context The impact of climate change on society and labour markets globally will be profound. To ensure an effective transition to a green economy, climate change mitigation policies are being implemen...

The European Commission has recently launched the Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism (REFM) to support renewable energy projects, enable EU countries to work more closely together and achieve both their respective and collective renewable energy targets. The REFM works as a pooled cooperation mechanism whereby Member States coopera...

An unprecedented wave of healthcare investment COVID-19 has amplified the weaknesses of the European health systems as well as the need for better preparedness and reinforced resilience to respond to future cross-border health threats. Against this background, it is of no surprise that the EU and national governments are keen to invest more fu...

The impact of climate change on society and labour markets globally will be profound. To ensure an effective transition to a green economy, climate change mitigation policies are being implemented worldwide, setting ambitious goals that will require unique measures to be introduced by governments, national, regional and local authorities, social pa...

This semester, the European Union begins the deployment of its €95.5 billion science and technology framework programme: Horizon Europe. With a 30% budget increase on the previous EU funding cycle, Horizon Europe remains the largest transnational research and innovation programme in the world. Through it, the EU will support scientific researc...

As of 25 March, the first calls for proposals for the new Erasmus+ programme have been launched, with a €2,4 billion budget for 2021. Organisations from EU Member States and associated countries active in the field of Education, Training, Youth and Sport can now apply for project funding. Not a moment to lose Although deadlines vary according to th...

As of March 18, the EU's most innovative start-ups and SMEs have begun competing for their share of the €1.5 billion in Horizon Europe funding. With the launch of the first three calls for proposals yesterday, pitches can now be made to the European Innovation Council (EIC) at any time. If your pitch is successful, the two most important dates for ...

The Polish Recovery and Resilience Plan The road to reforming and reconstructing socio-economic resilience At the end of February 2021, the Polish Prime Minister and the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy announced the draft National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The document is open for public consultation until 2 April...

The Czech Recovery and Resilience Plan The road to strengthening resilience and economic recovery The draft National Recovery and Resilience Plan was published by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in October 2020. Consultations with the European Commission and discussions with trade unions and associations in the Czech Republic are currently under...

The Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece published and put into public consultation its first draft National Recovery and Resilience Plan on 25 November 2020. In parallel, informal consultations are taking place between the EU and Greek officials.  Greece is set to receive € 16.4 billion in grants from the Recovery and Resi...

With an over 60% increase compared to 2020, the EU's €1.4 billion budget for Humanitarian Aid in 2021 will respond to ongoing as well as emerging crises, in particular linked to conflict, the pandemic and climate change. The latest information, released on January 26th, indicates the following allocations: €505 million for Africa In parti...

On January 1, Portugal began its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union; its fourth since Portugal's accession to the EU in 1986 (previous Portuguese Presidencies: 1992, 2000, 2007). Portugal is preceded by Germany and will be followed by Slovenia, together forming the current "presidency trio". Priorities The Portuguese have dec...

The new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument for 2021-2027 Negotiations have concluded on the EU's new €79.5 billion funding instrument for Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation (NDICI) for the 2021-2027 MFF programming period. Priorities The NDICI's priority areas will include: Human deve...

Big ambitions,largest ever budget,tremendous opportunities The culmination, only yesterday, of the many months of negotiations for the next seven-year EU budget is solid and welcome grounds for renewed optimism at the closing of an intense and challenging year.Starting next month - January 2021 - the largest ever EU budget of €1.8 trillion will go ...

In order to help the most vulnerable countries outside the EU fight COVID-19 and its consequences, the European Union launched the Team Europe initiative in April. This €38,5 billion package (increased from an initial €20 billion) is directed especially towards supporting Africa and the EU Neighbourhood, as well as the ASEAN reg...

The Recovery and Resilience Plan: a strategic vision for Bulgaria The first draft of Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan was released for public consultation on 30 October 2020. It is intended to be sent to the European Commission by the end of 2020.  Bulgaria is set to receive € 6.2 billion in grants from the Recov...

EU External Aid Sector Seminar 2020 On 26 November, Schuman Associates moderated the 2020 edition of the EU Sector Seminar for External Aid, organised online by the Permanent Representation of Germany and Spain to the EU and ICEX – Spain Trade and Invest. The speakers were the European Commission's Directorate General for International Cooperation ...

The EU's most important financial instrument for environment and climate action - the Life programme - will receive a 58% budget increase in the EU's new funding cycle via the 2021-2027 Multi-Annual Financial Framework. Starting in 2021 and spanning the next seven years, the EU will invest € 5.45 billion in: Nature and...