Workshop on “Communication for EU projects”

On April 1st and 2nd, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, organized an online workshop on “Communication for EU projects”, in collaboration with the member company Vision Communication.

 

This workshop, divided in two 4 hour sessions, was taught in English and featured with an international audience. During the first session a wide introduction of the communication for EU projects was made with a detailed explanation of the different existing EU projects (Horizon 2020, AMIF, etc.) and how to design and manage the communication within each one. The different realities of the consortiums in European projects were explored as well as the need to adapt the project to the different contexts in order to have a performing communication strategy (for example in developing countries).

 

In the second session, some deeper look toward the European projects communication was done by highlighting the different communication products that must come by this projects and the need of a right management of the different events. The need of an accurate selection of the target audience, messages and channels were also highlighted. The workshop featured additionally different practical exercises in which the participants had the chance to interact in smaller groups.

 

All along both journeys, participants had the chance to get to know several cases of success and failure of communication in various European projects from both public and private institutions. Additionally a great interaction between the speaker and attendants was noticed as they could ask their questions at any time.

03/30 Webinar on “Teleworking: the biggest benefit of the digitalization of your team”

On March 30th, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce of in Belgium and Luxembourg, will organize a webinar on “Teleworking: the biggest benefit of the digitalization of your team” in collaboration with its member Senda Consulting, member of the program EmprendeBelux.

The purpose of the webinar is to provide the information about the importance of teleworking and the digitalization of the teamwork due to the current situation. The participants will understand, among others, the necessary tools for teleworking and its benefits. The webinar will be held in englisg

You can sign up for this workshop through this reply form.

For more information about the program click here.

In collaboration with:

Infoday: “Discover the Executive Programs of the IEE-ULB”

The Official Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg and the IEE (Institut d’études européennes associated with the Université libre de Bruxelles), have signed a collaboration agreement through which the members of the Chamber can benefit from special rates in the courses and modules of the Executive Programmes of the Institute.

The last February 20th, an Infoday was organized at the Chamber´s facilities, with individualized meetings, in which attendees could answer their questions about the Executive Programs with two IEE representatives.

The Institut d’études européennes of the ULB has more than fifty years of history. More than 7500 students have passed through it, including commissioners, ambassadors or politicians and it has positioned itself today as a benchmark to improve knowledge in European affairs and strengthen the network of contacts.

This is an executive academic program in English designed for professionals that seeking flexible training to deepen their knowledge in European affairs. The participants can choose to follow the full program or do their training on demand with individual classes or modules. Here you can consult the agenda.

 

In collaboration with:

Workshop on “Visual Notetaking – Training”

On February 18th and 19th, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce of in Belgium and Luxembourg, organized in Brussels a workshop on “Visual Notetaking – Training”, held by the visual facilitator Alejandro Gil (Ale Listens and Draws), member of the EmprendeBeLux program.

This workshop was divided in two days, of 4 hours duration each. During the first session, an introduction to Visual Thinking was made and to the specific tool for Visual Notetaking, and he explained how to use its different elements and materials. In the second session, the attendees had the opportunity to discover more about the Visual Notetaking in depth through practical exercises explained step by step learning how to use this tool in their professional life.

The human brain processes visual elements 60,000 times faster than texts, that means that dominating Visual Notetaking skills helps to remember and process better the contents. In addition, visual notes help to shape the ideas when working with teams so helps them to be focused but also to engage and increase productivity and collaboration on brainstorming and creation sessions.

Fourth edition of the workshop on “EU Funding – Project Management”

On December 11th and 12th , the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted the fourth edition of the workshop on “EU Funding – Project Management”. The course was held in collaboration with our member Swan Consulting and it was run by the EU affairs consultant, Jorge Cisneros.

For two days, attendees were able to get to know the tools for the development of European projects and how to search for funding opportunities, as well as topics related to the identification of project calls and the management of approved projects. Mr. Cisneros also explained the different funding policies of the European Union, highlighting the priorities for the 2021-2027 programme.

Once again the capacity was complete and it counted with the attendance of people coming from different sectors, such as, cultural industries, the health sector or delegations of European regions.

First workshop of professional ham cutting

On December 2nd, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, in collaboration with The Cortador Academy – the first school in Benelux to learn professionally how to cut ham -, organized the first workshop of professional ham cutting. The training was carried out under the direction of Maestro Cortador José Cristóbal Álvarez García, who obtained his renowned diploma in the Spanish school “Escuela Internacional de Cortadores de Jamón”.

The course was aimed at professionals in the HORECA sector who wish to deepen their interest in the art of cutting and Iberian ham. During the workshop attendees were able to study the existing different types of ham and their characteristics, the regulations concerning this sector and they learned in a theoretical and practical way the main techniques to professionally cut ham starting from the outside until reaching the bone.

 

In collaboration with:

 

Workshop on “Preparation of technical offers for European tenders”

On November 21st and 22nd, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held a workshop on “Preparation of technical offers for European tenders”, which aimed to train the staff of the participating companies to allow them to have the knowledge to start preparing tenders in accordance with the procedures of the European Union. The course was held by Karine Brück, founding partner of Karine Brück International (Ecosolve SL).

During the first day of the training, the participants had the opportunity to prepare a technical offer, analyse and understand the tender conditions and terms of reference or learn about work plans and the strategic approach common to all offers, as well as, good practices and recommendations in the writing of the technical offer.

The second day of the course was focused on the preparation of an economic offer and the analysis of its strategic context, as well as the preparation of different types of economic offers. The participants also received recommendations for the preparation phase of the economic offer.

During these two days, all attendees had the opportunity to learn about different tools, which will help companies to detect opportunities and improve the preparation of technical offers. At the end of the course, Brück answered questions and clarified the doubts of the participants. The workshop was developed in a participative and dynamic environment in which attendees could understand the necessary knowledge to winning offers.

Fifteen Spanish enterprises and sectorial associations take part in the first workshop on public advisory strategies and dialogue with the European institutions organized in Brussels

On October 2nd and 3rd, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized in Brussels the first edition of the workshop on “Public advisory strategies and dialogue with the European institutions”, aimed exclusively at Spanish companies and associations.

Fifteen Spanish enterprises and sectorial associations participated in this course, looking forward to learning about the tools that will allow them to establish an effective dialogue with the European institutions and help them anticipate both the risks and opportunities for their companies that can be originated from the political and legislative action in Brussels.

The workshop was held by prestigious professionals from multinationals, business organizations and Spanish institutions as well as by European officials.

The first day began with an introduction by Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-President of the Chamber and Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, who offered a global view on lobbying and the European action. Following this, Ignasi Guardans, a European affairs consultant, spoke about the institutional structure of the EU and its adjacent ecosystem.

Afterwards, several sessions followed, held by the officials of the European Commission Mikel Landabaso, Communication Director, and Félix Fernandez Shaw, International Cooperation and Development Director.

Patricia Cirez, Permanent Representative at CEOE in Brussels presented the ways to tracking European policies/legislation and how to contribute to their definition and contents.

The day closed with Carlos Rodríguez Cocina, Europeans affairs Director at Telefónica, who spoke about the role of the Publics affairs Director and Bert Dehandschutter, lawyer at Racine Advocaten, who explained the legal process to follow in order to open a representative office in Brussels.

In the evening, the assistants attended a networking dinner with the Spanish professionals and European officials.

The second day started with a visit to the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU, where Juan Aristegui, adjacent Ambassador, welcomed the enterprises and associations and spoke about the role of the Council and the Permanent Representation in Brussels.

Later on, Ignacio Sánchez-Recarte, secretary-general of the European Committee of Wine Companies (CEEV), spoke about the role of the sectorial and regional associations, as well as their purpose in the European legal process.

Attendees then visited the European Parliament and had a lunch organized by the MEP Pablo Arias. Other MEPs participated, such as Juan Ignacio Zoido, José Manuel García Margallo and Isabel Benjumea. Throughout this meeting, the MEPs explained the tasks of the European Parliament and how important it is that the interests of the companies reach Brussels.

Following this, the Elcano Royal Institute office Director, Luis Simón, spoke about the projects that this institution develops from Brussels and the role of the Think Tanks.

To finish, Ruth Estrada, Partner of Schuman Associates, explained the funding opportunities that the EU offers to enterprises and Xavier Quer Pietx, Manager at Everis, talked about the keys to the public contracts in the EU.

The workshop was closed by María Catalán, Secretary general of the Chamber, who explained the services of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg as a support entity for the Spanish companies interested in defending their interest in Europe.

Workshop on Visual storytelling for any kind of presentations

The past 17 and 18 September, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, organized the first edition of the “Workshop on Visual Thinking for everyone”. The course was given by the visual facilitator Alejandro Gil (Ale Listens and Draws), member of the EmprendeBeLux program. The objective of the workshop was to make the bases of visual language known and to learn how to prepare better presentations.

During the first day, Gil explained how to improve basic elements of visual language such as shapes, objects and colors. Everything was developed through a “learn by doing” methodology, which consists of putting the content shown during the session into practice.

On the second day, he provided more information about the different elements necessary to prepare an exposition. In addition, the participants learned how to develop a personal template related to the presentation´s objectives with the “three buckets technique” to structure a presentation; the four main different types of visual narration: report, pitch, drama and explanation. At the end of the day, all participants had the opportunity to draw a presentation and share it with the rest of the participants.

The workshop, which was a complete success, took place in a relaxed atmosphere, and all the attendees had a really participative attitude.

This workshop was carried out with the collaboration of:

Workshop on European tenders

The 23rd and 24th of May, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a  workshop on “European tenders: detection of opportunities and preparation of winning offers”, which had the aim of giving the participating companies or individuals the necessary knowledge to start preparing tenders in accordance with the procedures of the EU. The workshop, given by Karine Brück, founding partner of Karine Bruck International (Ecosolve SL) in English, filled all places.

During the first day of the training, the different European institutions, agencies and associations were presented, as well as the types of existing tenders. Also, the descriptions of the different phases of the projects were exposed to explain the opportunities that could arise in each of them for the companies. Secondly, Brück emphasized the strategies for detecting calls and selecting the opportunities that European tenders presented, taking into account the particular characteristics of the business.

Throughout the second day, attendees could deepen their knowledge in European tenders by conducting a practical case, through which they understood how to structure a logical framework correctly. In this second part of the training, concepts related to the preparation and elaboration of the technical and economic reports were explained, as well as tips for the search of experts and the formation of consortiums were provided.

During these two days, all attendees had the opportunity to learn about different tools, which will help companies to detect opportunities and improve the preparation of technical offers. At the end of the course, Brück answered questions and clarified the doubts of the participants. The workshop was developed in a participative and dynamic environment in which attendees could understand the necessary knowledge to winning offers.