In this third episode of our SME Series, I speak with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa, an experienced EU funding professional and consultant, about one of the most complex and under-discussed topics in implementation: financial rules, and especially the lump sum model. We unpack how the lump sum rules - designed to simplify - can have the opposite effect for beneficiaries, particularly SMEs and newcomers trying to find their footing in Horizon Europe.

Alicja shares real-world examples of how lump sum reporting affects project planning, flexibility, and internal budgeting. We talk about the administrative burden, the risk of rigid work plan structures, and how a lack of clarity from the Commission can leave even experienced coordinators confused. This episode is an honest, practical conversation about what happens after you win the grant - and why we need to speak more openly about implementation bottlenecks and financial stress points in EU projects.