The municipality has simplified public procurement procedures for companies working in the construction sectors and has approved fast payments for public construction sites, covering up to 50% of the tender specification expenses, thus economically supporting companies and workers. Read more here (in Italian)
Contact: Olimpia Vaccarino Aureli
In Zagreb, where the coronavirus pandemic has been further exacerbated by an earthquake, the city is providing several kinds of financial relief for people and businesses. For retirees the obligation to settle utility bills under the jurisdiction of the City of Zagreb and companies owned by the City of Zagreb is extended by three months from the due date indicated on the payment slips, and in the default deadline will not accrue interest on arrears or trigger penalties for arrears.
The city has also allowed a release of payment and deduction of the fixed amount for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2020 with the possibility of extension, for the following groups:
Continue reading “Zagreb – Financial relief”Local companies in Gijón can pay rents and loans to the municapilty later. The city council has suspended, for the next three months, the payment of loans granted by the municipal company Gijón Impulsa as well as the payment of the rental and services provided to the companies located in municipal buildings. For providers of services and works to the council, invoices are paid weekly now. You can read more here (in Spanish)
Contact: Enrique Rodríguez
With a package of short- and long-term measures, the city of Ghent is tackling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A budget of 25 million euro is designated to help the most vulnerable people, economy and civil society. A ‘Relaunch Taskforce’ shall also see how to revive the city after the crisis by, among others, supporting the tourism sector. You can read more here
Contact: Els Uytterhoeven
Tallinn has implemented a number of measures to support local entrepreneurs and businesses. The aid measures are primarily targeted at businesses that have a contractual relationship with the city or have a big impact on the city’s activities.
The city will pay its bills faster, reducing its own payment deadline from 21-30 calendar days to just 10 calendar days to improve the cash flow of the companies. The city will also waive contractual sanctions in the event of difficulties that occur due to the ongoing emergency situation when fulfilling an order or delivery. Tallinn has reduced advertising tax by 50%, and exempted advertisements on the sides of buildings from paying rent. The city is also reducing rent for contractors and cancelling rent from sports venues, while continuing to pay subsidies for sports activities if the clubs can find a way to bring those activities online.
These measures are planned to last for three months or until the end of the year depending on the specific measure. These measures will have an effect on the budget and the local government is preparing a supplementary budget to take this into account. The impact of the business support package on the city budget may be up to €4 million.
Find more information here.
Contact: Kerttu Märtin
Barcelona’s mayoral decree on disruptions to municipal public procurement ensures the continuity of public contracts, the liquidity of providers, particularly SMEs, and strives to maintain jobs. Read more here
Contact: Marta Puchal
Leipzig will increase its reserve of protective equipment for clinics and administration at the same time as strengthening the local economy. The city has launched a tender for a local or regional producer for equipment like protective masks to meet increased demand.
Contact: Christin Rettke
Antwerp has made €250,000 euro available for innovative, quickly implementable solutions from start-ups and companies that can arm citizens and companies against the impact of the COVID-19 virus and make life possible in lockdown mode. The city launched a call that welcomes (digital) solutions in areas such as welfare, health care, childcare, poverty reduction, working from home, communication and participation and more. The most important criterion is that the idea is feasible in the short term and has a relevant impact and added value for residents, companies or students of Antwerp. Read more (in Dutch) here.
Contact: Kris Van Berendoncks
A new partnership involving the city council offers a place for people who would like to donate time or money to sign up. Read more here
Contact: Paul Davies
The City of Milan has launched an open call to attract the efforts of private donors. The appeal received €800,000 in its first day. The money will be used to help those most affected by the crisis, and towards the resumption of normal city activities. Read more here
Contact: Olimpia Vaccarino Aureli
The Municipality of Braga will receive 10,000 disposable medical masks and 500 individual protection medical kits from the Chinese city of Shenyang. The two cities have a friendship agreement and want to become twin cities. Shenyang has also offered to share experiences regarding the fight against the corona virus and the management of crisis situations. Read more (in Portuguese)
Contact: Nuno Gouveia
Service providers for the city of Barcelona will continue to be paid even if the execution of their services is suspended. Under the current state of emergency, those contracts remain valid. Read more
Contact: Marta Puchal
A local company and a network of volunteers are helping the Brussels Capital Region produce at least 100,000 face masks for use mainly in nursing homes, the homeless sector and home help and care services. The masks are subject to quality control measures before being made available to the Brussels government.
Read more here
Contact: Geert de Roep and Antoine Umbrain
