The response of civil society organisations to the covid-19 pandemic and the consequent restrictive measures adopted in Europe

Background

The current covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictive measures adopted in Europe have affected and continue to affect all areas of society. Naturally, this also concerns civil society organisations (CSOs), which, as a result, had to adapt their activities, advocacy work and missions to face the new situation.

Group III would like to analyse the consequences of the pandemic for CSOs, so as to highlight the potential benefit of their actions for European societies and to increase the Committee’s visibility vis-à-vis CSOs.

Consequently, the aim of the commissioned study will be to (1) map the responses of European CSOs to the current crisis in order to identify their inputs and contributions and learn from possible shortcomings and (2) to outline major consequences and challenges for CSOs in the aftermath of the crisis.

The report will focus on the points listed below, following a thematic and contents based approach rather than by sector and by country.

  • Sectors represented via the EESC categories (Consumers and Environment – Social Economy – Agriculture – Liberal Professions – Associational Life - SMEs crafts and family business).
  • Within those areas, on actors affected by the crisis.
  • CSOs present via the Members of the EESC’s Group III

In terms of content, the report should explore different areas, such as the concrete actions put into place for target groups or directed at public authorities and resources used (and their origin). Attention should furthermore be given to the results achieved by CSOs, with a clear indication of the value and impact of their actions in quantitative and qualitative terms. Finally, the study will provide an analysis of success and failure situations as well as a series of recommendations to decision makers and CSOs.

The study should be seen as a first step in a longer term approach that would see the realisation of other studies in 2021, in order to follow, understand and react to the broad societal changes caused by the current crisis with particular attention to the role of CSOs, their functioning and existence in the new post-crisis framework.

Languages/geographical area

The study should be carried out in English.

Indicative calendar

Work should start in July 2020 and end in October 2020. Partial intermediate results should be delivered throughout the research process.

Contact

Send your expression of interest to participate or request for information to the following mail box (before the deadline mentioned below)

Deadline

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - 21:59