With the platform “Help the Horeca”, catering partners collaborate with online platform Gifty to support catering entrepreneurs during this difficult corona. These coupons help entrepreneurs earn income, even now that they are closed. Consumers can redeem the coupons as soon as the cafes and restaurants in Haarlem open their doors again. Read more here (in Dutch)
The city social affairs department ensured its services to its 133,000 users during the crisis by extending the duration of expiring social benefits. People could easily extend their benefits from the security of their homes as Vienna put in place an automatic procedure and postponed controls. This allowed everyone in need to get their social allowances and stay financially stable. The team made sure relevant information reached all concerned people. The department will reopen soon following hygiene and distancing rules. Read more here (in German)
Continue reading “Vienna – Extensions for social benefits”Leeds City Council has joined forces with third sector organisations to deliver vital services to people in need across the city via a network of volunteers and community hubs. Anyone needing help or support during the Covid-19 emergency can call a helpline where they will then be matched with one of the thousands of local volunteers.
The Community Care Volunteer Programme has seen over 8,000 volunteers offer their support to help the vulnerable in Leeds. Volunteers can sign-up to offer practical support such as shopping deliveries, preparing meals, dog walking, making check-in phone calls or as an informal volunteer within their own neighbourhood in more general ways.
Contact: Titus Carey
Artists and cultural workers in the Italian region of Marche can get support via a temporary information desk that has been set up by the regional association Consorzio Marche Spettacolo. The city of Pesaro with deputy mayor Daniele Vimini, also president of the consortium, points out that local artists are experiencing tough days in the corona crisis, with culture being one of the most fragile sectors. The information desk, which can per reached by email, shall help cultural workers to get the support and assistance that the government is providing.
Contact: Filippo Galeazzi
Mayors of big cities across Europe call for cross-border solidarity during the corona crisis. In a joint statement of the network EUROCITIES, they urge a strong collaboration between all levels of government.
Nice has launched several measures to tackle domestic violence during the lock down. These include a telephone hotline and email address for reporting known or suspected cases, an awareness raising campaign, a partnership with pharmacies that welcome female victims of violence, and provision of emergency accommodation for women who wish to leave their homes. Read more (in French) here.
Contact: Jérôme Sieurin
Citad’elles, Nantes’ post-trauma consultation centre for women victims of violence remains open. The centre provides medical, psychological and material assistance to women and children that are victims of violence. Mayor Johanna Rolland has deemed the support from the centre essential during confinement. Read more here
Contact: Nicolas Joffraud
In a personal letter to the people of Stuttgart, mayor Fritz Kuhn calls for continued compliance with the rules and regulations under the corona confinement and thanks everyone for their special commitment. He writes: “The coronavirus has a firm grip on the world, including Germany and our Stuttgart. That’s why we must stick together in our city. ” Read more here (in German)
Contact: Claudia Schulcz
The mayor of Guimaraes, Portugal, Domingos Bragança, is using video communication to inform the 158,000 inhabitants about the city’s initiatives in the corona crisis. Those measures include the closing of schools and public buildings, parks and playgrounds. The city also supports elderly, isolated and disabled people with an exclusive telephone hotline and provides meals to children of health and security professionals.
