We have the pleasure to have with us Ilona Loeser, Head of Financial Reporting and Data Management unit (C5) in DG BUDG, to discuss about data cleansing while preparing for the migration to SUMMA. While these terms may sound technical, our aim today is to present this quite complex subject in a way that captivates even those who may not consider themselves experts in the field and shed light on the crucial role of data quality in successful migrations.

Those of you who never worked on an IT project before, you have probably never heard the term “cutover”, which for us, in the IT world, represents one of the most critical moments in the change. Cutover is the moment when we switch from the old system to the new one.

Following the Activation Labs in January 2023, which marked the launch of the SUMMA Change Network across all DGs and Executive Agencies, several activities of the Change Management plan have taken place, and important milestones have been reached. In particular, three-monthly touchpoints were organised with the Change Coordinators, DG/Service-led change readiness checklists are in use, and SUMMA Transition and Implementation Groups (STIGS) have been established in most DGs/Agencies.

We are pleased to present the latest episode of OIB TV for the month of May, in which OIB colleagues share their views about SUMMA, inform their fellow staff members about the upcoming changes and encourage them to follow the available trainings.

In this highly anticipated interview, Christophe Thierry, Deputy Head of DG BUDG R1, addresses the most frequent and persistent questions related to the SUMMA User Acceptance Testing sessions that were asked by colleagues in different fora. Join us for a down-to-earth conversation, discover the truths behind the challenges and find a clear path forward.

Almost 150 colleagues responded to the first change readiness pulse survey, which was launched on 2nd of May towards the Change Network. The results of the survey provide valuable information and serve as a pivotal tool with which DG BUDG assesses the perception of change readiness within the DGs, Services and Executive Agencies.

DG Budget is currently implementing the SUMMA Planning Tool. A tool that will provide participating DGs with a simple and straightforward approach for their planning needs.

SUMMA training sessions have been available for enrolment through the EU Learn platform since the last week of April and we already have more than 1000 registrations!

30 months since the Commission issued the first SURE social bond and less than 2 years since we launched the NextGenerationEU programme, the Commission has achieved a lot as an issuer. But more still needs to done. The main focus of our work this year will be boosting the liquidity of our EU-Bonds.

The European Commission has released two publications in February, one reviewing its debt issuance activities in the second half of 2022, and the other assessing the achievements of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) two years after its adoption.

In recognition of the increased liquidity of EU-Bonds, the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to move EU-Bonds from haircut category II to haircut category I in its risk control framework.

In the opening quarter of the year the Commission has made strong progress towards its €80 billion funding target for the first half of 2023, raising €39.5 billion in long-term EU-Bonds.

Dear SUMMA community, welcome to SUMMA News! This is our new initiative to keep you informed and prepared for the transition from ABAC to SUMMA. This newsletter will be landing in your mailbox every two months, putting together the most updated and relevant information you need to know.

The year started successfully for SUMMA with the achievement of another key milestone, the rollout of SUMMA to an additional pilot entity - Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking -that also incorporates the SUMMA integration with eGrants.

In this Interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Christophe Thierry, Deputy Head of BUDG R1 and SUMMA Business Managers Lead about the User Acceptance Testing Period for SUMMA. We explored the current state of play and the preparations for the testing sessions, scheduled to start soon.

Most of you are wondering how and when you will get prepared for the SUMMA era. DG BUDG has developed a comprehensive training plan to prepare you for the transition and unlock the full potential of the new technology.

Stefan Meert, Accounting Officer of the (pilot) Agency ERA shares his experience as a pilot user of SUMMA and provides a number of useful pieces of advice for the DGs and Agencies that will be soon moving into SUMMA.

Take a look at this article if you want to know in brief what has happened during the last months and what are the next important meetings about SUMMA.

Dear SUMMA community, welcome to SUMMA News! This is our new initiative to keep you informed and prepared for the transition from ABAC to SUMMA. This newsletter will be landing in your mailbox every two months, putting together the most updated and relevant information you need to know.

To ensure a smooth transition from ABAC to SUMMA for all end-users and guarantee uninterrupted business processes for all Directorates-General and Services, DG BUDG developed a global change management plan integrating change management, communication and training actions.