Council of European Municipalities and Regions

LOCAL INSIGHT
Local and regional governments' view
of European affairs

While all of Europe is reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, the crisis undeniably has a strong territorial dimension. Some localities and territories are more severely affected and different regions are not equally well equipped to deal with such a rapidly propagating virus. There is unbearable pressure on hospitals and health services, most severely in areas such as northern Italy, Spain, northern England, or eastern France.

Municipalities and regions are at the forefront of this crisis, whether in enforcing lockdowns, continuing to provide essential public services – above all healthcare and support for the most vulnerable – or in leading the gradual relaxation of containment measures. At the same time, many of their sources of revenue are falling due to the closure of public facilities and the general economic slowdown.
 

The COVID-19 crisis risks worsening our societies’ already existing gender inequalities. In this analysis by CEMR and Urbact, we provide a detailed initial overview of the ways COVID-19’s impact has differed for men and women.

Indeed, while men are more likely to die of coronavirus, women are more likely to be affected in other significant ways. For example, there have already been reports of increases in domestic abuse as a result of prolonged confinement.


 

Cities and regions across Europe face many challenges in collecting household waste while limiting the spread of the coronavirus. To contribute to tackling this issue, CEMR held an online meeting on April 2 with our members to discuss their experiences and the measures taken to ensure continuity of service and the safety of waste personnel.

While the situation varies in different European countries according to local conditions and national regulation, a few recurring trends and lessons can be observed.


 

As a pandemic, COVID-19 is a truly global problem which knows no borders. As such, the European Union recently presented its “global response” to coronavirus. Together with its partners, PLATFORMA is making 11 recommendations to ensure a coordinated international approach.

Last week, the European Commission and EU development ministers agreed on the Union’s global plan against coronavirus. It will mobilise €20 billion for partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe to support their fight against the pandemic.


 

The European Commission has presented an important set of financial measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak: the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiatives (CRII and CRII+). These will capitalise on still unspent cohesion funds to contribute to the response to the coronavirus in EU Member States.

The CRII initiatives introduce more flexibility to allow Member States to use cohesion funds to buy medical supplies, as well as to finance economic and social support for SMEs and workers most impacted by the crisis.