Schuman Associates is the leading EU public affairs and funding consultancy based in Brussels, with an outstanding track record in securing EU and public sector funding for our clients since its inception in 1989.

Our team of multilingual consultants and partners across Europe has extensive experience in advising at CEO/CFO level in all key sectors, including ICT and security, energy and environment, education and health, trade and development, financial services and telecommunications.

We can say that, especially in the wake of the pandemic in 2020, our activities have accelerated exponentially. The EU agreed on a €750 billion recovery package called “NextGenerationEU” – our challenge was how to address this and position our clients for success. We built our presence across the EU, recruiting a top class team while all working remotely. Other challenges included the green and digital transformations that are underway, this also required different skillsets and adaptation of our model. All this has meant a significant growth of our team, we are now almost 40 people, and a greater specialisation in issues of digital transformation, green transition, health or education and digital skills, among others. From Brussels, we have also had great success with our bid management practice enabling clients to win across programmes such as Horizon Europe, CEF, Erasmus, IPCEI or Digital Europe.

Future challenges include, the acceleration of the implementation of AI in our area of work, working with hybrid or fully virtual teams across the EU and beyond, while fostering a culture of transparency, quality and work ethics. We are a young and multicultural team that reflects very well the EU we live in.

Externally, the outcome of the European elections will condition the approach to the challenges facing our continent in the coming years. This milestone, together with the current geopolitical situation, brings to the table a new area of financing, a new focus on areas such as defence are to be expected. With regards to Spain, key will be to absorb all the funds that are available. Positioning in the new economy areas such as space, renewables, energy storage, CleanTech wil be vital. Our country will need to focus on streamlining management and making progress in the absorption of European funds, supporting the Autonomous Regions in establishing their own priorities for the allocation of funds through the new text of the Addendum, and generating the necessary consensus to allow for budgetary stability that facilitates the implementation of the Recovery Plan, while respecting the execution deadlines.

To adapt to the priorities of the future European Parliament, companies are often attentive to the campaign proposals of candidates and parties, as well as to emerging political trends. This may involve adjustments in business strategies, investments in areas that reflect political priorities, and participation in public consultations and legislative processes.

In general, companies rely on Schuman Associates to help them align their priorities with those of the next European Parliament and the future Commission, by taking a proactive approach to understanding proposed policies, identifying opportunities and challenges, and making decisions to align their operations and strategies within this changing policy environment.

Schuman Associates has been a regular member of the Chamber for 12 years. We have seen the influence and outreach of the Chamber grow over these years.  I believe that now is the time to have a greater say in its activities, as the interest of our client base in the activities of the Chamber is growing. At the same time, I am interested in standing for election to the Board of Directors in June, in order to make visible the importance of SMEs within the Chamber.

Our activities, with Spanish clients looking to connect with Brussels and global firms looking at Spain make our activities with the Chamber more and more relevant. For Schuman Associates, it is the gateway in both directions.