Health remains a top priority for the EPP-CoR. Our members have been at the forefront to fight the spread of the pandemic and to support front-liners in their work. Meanwhile because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe has also been hardly hit by an economic recession. EPP-led local and regional authorities are working on the ground and close to citizens to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic and support the recovery process. The various measures being implemented include incentives to boost consumer spending, promoting local products, supporting online platforms and easing running costs for small businesses. The account below provides a local and regional overview of key actions taken by EPP-CoR members to support the recovery in villages, cities and regions across Europe.
Actions by EPP-led authorities
- To support town center businesses, Tipperary County Council launched the “Win Wednesday” initiative offering customers the possibility to win vouchers when shopping on a Wednesday. - Michael Murphy, Head of the Irish Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions and Councillor Tipperary County Council
- The City of Nice launched an online shopping platform to support local shops. A communication campaign was launched to promote and support local shops and products. Over 2,500 SMEs including those working in the fields of tourism and culture have benefited from a Euro 1 million scheme offering support for rent payments. In addition, the City of Nice is also supporting economic recovery through the pact for jobs assisting economic sectors such as tourism, trade and innovation. - Agnès Rampal, Deputy Mayor Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
- In Overijssel, a voucher of up to € 10.000 is being made available to SME’s and cultural institutions to help them digitalize their services, sales and/or production processes. This helps them to adapt to the current ‘social distance’-economy, find new customers online or deliver digital services. So far 400 SME’s have been supported. - Eddy van Hijum, Member of the Council of the Provincie Overijssel
- The municipality of #Huddinge introduced a temporary exemption from fees for outdoor cafes, food trucks and outdoor markets. This measure also contributes to reduced congestion in stores and restaurants. Huddinge municipality has also reduced the rent by 50 % for local entrepreneurs who rent their premises from the municipality. In addition, the municipality provides a free hotline service for small local business owners through which they obtain advice from experts on how to manage this crisis. - Jelena Drenjanin, Deputy Mayor of Huddinge and 1st Vice-President of the EPP-CoR Group.
- In Salzburg, small and medium-sized businesses received Euro 10 million support from the federal state and the Chamber of Commerce Salzburg. Furthermore, the Chamber of Commerce of Salzburg formed a platform to promote shopping from local shops. - Brigitta Pallauf, President of the Salzburg State Parliament.
- The North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting SMEs through loans, tax reduction, compensation for quarantine and grants. Thousands of small businesses, freelancers and self-employed in North Rhine-Westphalia have received more than €3.5 billion. The average processing time for applications was 8 days. - Armin Laschet, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia.
- The state of Bavaria set up a Euro 60 billion Bayern Fonds to help the region withstand the corona virus outbreak and relief the burden on numerous sectors of the economy. The fund allows the Bavarian government to buy stakes in struggling companies to prevent insolvencies and job losses as well as to provide guarantees and loans. In addition funds were immediately paid to small companies to help them cope with the economic impact of the corona virus. Companies with a number of employees between 50 and 250 can apply for an emergency aid of €50,000. One-person operations can apply for a €9,000 subsidy. Other measures taken include tax deferrals and a reduction in the VAT from 19% to 7% for one year in the catering sector. Furthermore, the state paid a € 500 bonus to health professionals and carers to honour their achievements, started a corona research project with a team of virologists and epidemiologists supporting international research and doubled sports funding and supported artists through a Euro 1000 grant per month. - Markus Söder, Minister President of Bavaria
- The Lombardy region in Italy has put in place a three-year investment plan worth €3 billion, with €400 million earmarked for local authorities and €2.6 billion to support the local economy (including €400 million for strategic investments). Of the €400 million for local authorities, Milan and surrounding areas will receive €51 million for public works (roads and schools); the remainder can be spent by other communities on – for example – energy efficiency, renewable energy, urban re-development and sustainable development, sustainable mobility, heritage, and hydro-geological works. Separately, the region has set aside €10 million to produce medical and personal protective equipment, and €82 million in bonuses for health workers who have been involved in combating the epidemiological emergency. - Alessandro Fermi – President of the Regional Council of Lombardy
- The City of Espoo has prepared a 25-point package of measures to support companies as well as sports and cultural sectors. - Markku Markkula, Espoo City Council
- The Region of Sicily has launched a series of measures to help SMEs face economic challenges. These measures include bank guarantees, bank moratoria and late payment schemes. - Gaetano Armao, Vice-President and Regional Minister for Economy of the Region of Sicily