Lublin – Measures for foreign residents

Lublin is supporting foreign residents by making practical information available, looking out for underage non-national students, and centralising services. Measures include:

  • A website in English https://lublin.eu/en/and Ukrainian (largest migrant community) https://lublin.eu/ua/ with the latest updates on the situation in Poland and Lubelskie, as well as current regulations or restrictions in force and links to social assistance, education, culture and sports, NGOs working for foreigners, and so on. More information here;
  • A hashtag, #stayathome, linked to an English-language database to offer services given by local businesses to Lublin residents more easily during Covid-19. More information here.
  • And special attention to underage foreign students. More information here.

Lublin is also sharing its experiences related to the functioning of local government during pandemic with partner cities and a wider spectrum of municipalities in Ukraine.

Contact: Roman Jaborkhel

Stuttgart – Refugees for refugees videos

The city website now includes video clips from refugees, for refugees explaining hygiene and behavioural measures to follow to contain the spread of the virus. Refugees have produced, on their own initiative, written information and explanatory video clips in seven languages. Read more here (in German)

Contact: Claudia Schulcz

Bristol – Communication

Bristol is keeping information flowing about coronavirus and the local response. Internally, this takes the shape of regular bulletins for staff, to make sure that everyone is on the same page; externally this takes the form of a free telephone hotline open seven days a week for vulnerable residents, video updates from the mayor (see them here), clear information in several languages (watch it here).

Contact: Paul Davies

Dusseldorf – Rules against panic buying

In order to regulate the dispensed quantity of goods and counteract panic buying, the city of Dusseldorf has issued a general ruling. Supermarkets are instructed to only give out restricted amounts of goods in order to ensure a steady flow of goods for the population. The regulation follows disproportionate purchases of staple food, canned goods and toilet paper. Read more here (in German)

Contact: Stefanie Nietfeld

Budapest – Public awareness campaign

The municipality of Budapest has funded a series of posters and infographics sharing public information on new modes of public behaviour. In a small, public gesture, the city’s iconic Chain Bridge is also being illuminated in white light to honour the work of doctors, healthcare workers, and those helping combat the pandemic. Read more here and here

Contact: Adrienn Magyar

Debrecen – Financial aid and information

Debrecen has created a financial aid fund to support those in need. Roughly €60,000 has been provided by the city’s budget. This sum was then augmented by tens of thousand euro by the mayor, companies and private individuals. Read more (in Hungarian) here.

The municipality has also set up an information center to support those in need with three dedicated phone lines. Read more (in Hungarian) here.

Contact: László Mátyus

Turku – Getting the information out

Turku has turned to Google Translator to make sure all 100 languages spoken in the city could be covered to get out useful information about the pandemic as quickly as possible. Migrant organisations, large companies and the Regional State Administrative Agency have helped to spread the word about where to find this information. Read more here

Contact: Mika Akkanen

Turin – Collecting free online services

Torino City Love lists a number of free online resources and actions offered by the city’s partners and other businesses from Italy and beyond. The offer includes resources on education, health, connectivity, collaboration solutions, tools to work and/or study remotely, collaboration solutions, and connectivity. Read more here and here (in Italian) for more measures

Contact: Antonella Detta

Berlin – Support for local businesses and culture

Small businesses and freelancers in Berlin can get grants of up to €5,000 as emergency aid. The package consists a total of €100 million and is aimed at small and micro enterprises with a maximum of five employees, which have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus crisis. This includes creative industries and culture. Since culture also needs publicity, the city has initiated ‘Berlin (a)live‘ for online events.

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Stuttgart – Corona hotline for local companies and freelancers

Small companies and freelance workers in Stuttgart can get help via a new telephone hotline during the corona crisis. Experts from the fields of management consultancy, law, coaching or health offer advice about the virus, hygiene and work regulations and information on economic aid such as grants, support programmes, loans or short-time work.

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