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).  

The EU is collectively the biggest donor in the world, providing over 50 BEUR a year together with its Member States to translate policy objectives into effective strategies and actions that meet country or regional needs. The EU has different types of EU External Aid funding instrumentswhich cover nearly all the geographies around the world. It also counts with thematic programmes which address multiple fields of cooperation such as peace and security, climate change, migration, food security, etc.in several countries.

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.

In the mid-term review the Commission suggested an increase of €400 million for HORIZON 2020- EU's funding programme for research and innovation. However, Günther Oettinger, recently appointed to manage the EU's budget, said H2020 will in the end only receive €200 million. The money that is allocated presents a compensation for the €2.2 billion that was taken from the programme to fund Juncker Plan: The European Fund for Strategic Investments.

The European Development Days (EDD) are Europe’s leading forum on development and international cooperation. Organised by the European Commission, the forum brings the development community together to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.