Partners : Assembly of European Regions - COVID-19 Local and regional responses

In two steps, share the responses developed by your city; region or national association to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

FOCUS

Congress adopts report on ensuring compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government in major crisis situations

Covid-19: local and regional authorities at the frontline

Congress calls for ensuring respect for electoral standards in major crisis situations

Covid-19 crisis at the centre of the debates of the three Congress committees

TOOLKIT

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pej?inovi? Buri?, has issued a toolkit for governments across Europe on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 Toolkit (available in several languages)

CONGRESS AND ITS SECRETARIAT

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress has taken several steps to pursue its activities.

Functioning of the Congress and its Secretariat

Assembly of European Regions

COVID-19 : COVID-19 HUB | Call for Proposals Website : https://aer.eu/

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has created a COVID-19 HUB bringing together useful resources such as information on EU action, the AER’s analysis of and response to EU measures and proposals, information on health guidelines and COVID-19 statistics, etc. As well as monitoring the situation in its member regions and supporting an exchange of information and experiences between European regions – including on social media – AER also relays information on partner initiatives such as a joint call for twinning to support the expansion of digital health and care solutions across Europe, while promoting opportunities for regions to share project development; and a call for proposals in the fields of health care and telemedicine, e-education and e-learning, and support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Events

The AER organised a webinar: "Agenda 2030: Now More Than Ever", which highlighted the fact that, although progress has been made in achieving SDGs in Europe, the COVID-19 epidemic has increased the need for action and efforts to reduce inequalities, and a webinar on: “The EU Green Deal: Challenges and opportunities for EU regions in times of COVID-19”.

Statements

The AER published a statement on the EU recovery plan which underlines the central role of cohesion policy in the response to the pandemic. It also highlighted the measures taken to relaunch tourism in regions and the impact of the crisis on the younger generations.

AER President and Congress member Magnus Berntsson published a statement on COVID-19.

In the framework of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, he also called on Member States, regions, cities and civil society organisations to coordinate their efforts to build an equitable future for all with resilient regions and cities.