Community Support? Municipalities’ use of EU cohesion funds in response to Covid-19: current experience and lessons for the future

This study provides insights into how municipalities have used Cohesion Policy funding in
response to the COVID-19 crisis. The local impact of the crisis is very varied with significant implications for immediate crisis management and policy responses. There are unprecedented financial and administrative pressures on municipal authorities as they respond to health-related, economic and social emergencies. Municipalities are introducing mitigating measures and local planning is underway to launch the recovery process. Difficult decisions are being made, covering economic, social and environmental priorities with short, medium and long-term objectives. Support from the European Union, including EU Cohesion Policy funding, has a potentially pivotal role to play. Based on a literature review and case study research, the aim of this report is to assess the experiences of municipalities in accessing and using Cohesion Policy measures, the factors facililting or impeding this access and the prospects for effective utilisation at local level in the coming years.

Find the report here.