Dear urban community,

As this newsletter lands in your inboxes, we are experiencing strange and slightly baffling circumstances. We are writing to you – not from our usual office in Brussels – but from the confines of our homes, watching as countries around the world struggle to contain the spread of the COVID-19 and protect their populations and economies. Quite a different scenario from our last newsletter sent to you during the excitement of the CITIES Forum.

It is likely that what we are experiencing now will have far reaching repercussions for the urban community – factors like population density, city planning and technology will come under scrutiny. Like all epidemics (and pandemics), the current one will most likely serve as a catalyst for urban transformation.

Looking ahead…

The UAEU team is committed to keep providing you with the latest news, calls, publications and initiatives related to the Urban Agenda for the EU. Also make sure to follow the Urban Agenda for the EU on Twitter: @EUUrbanAgenda.

This month, we are sending an extra appeal to our readers: stay safe and (virtually) stick together, brighter days will come. In order to see you through these days of lockdown quarantine, we’d like to share some great resources we’ve come across.

Stay informed! EU responses and resources:

• Check the WHO’s dedicated page and the Commission website. The European Commission is coordinating a common European response to the outbreak of COVID-19, helping Member States coordinate their national responses and providing objective information about the spread of the virus and effective efforts to contain it.
• There is EU financial support for national, regional and local communities fighting Coronavirus. Information is available at the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative page, providing details on the amounts available for each country, the type of expenditure newly eligible under the EU structural and solidarity funds.
• To support the implementation of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative, the Commission has established a Task Force to serve as a one-stop shop for Member State questions, mutual learning and advice. The Task Force is further supported by country teams lead by DG REGIO and DG EMPL directors responsible for each Member State. This page will be accessible for all Managing Authorities through EU Login.
• In addition, the Commission aims to extend the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund by also including a public health crisis within its scope.
• In the last few days, the European Commission have collected many initiatives supporting social economy organisations, communities and civil society in their fight against the coronavirus. Feel free to contribute. 
• See as well the press release on the EU response to the outbreak and the conclusions by the President of the European Council on COVID-19.

• The OECD has launched an initiative to support and advice governments in making the most of innovative approaches to transform their public sector: Call for Innovative Government Solutions to COVID-19.

Some other useful resources:

• Beware of fake news! Learn how to sort corona-fact from corona-fiction before spreading misinformation: https://infodemic.blog/
• Stay in shape: staying home is no excuse to get lazy. From free yoga YouTube sessions to at-home workout guides, the internet has you covered
• Tip of the week: conference etiquette is important - mute yourself on conference calls when you aren’t talking.

The Urban Agenda for the EU Communications Team

Any questions? Drop us a line at ua.communication@ecorys.com.