Financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the EU’s cohesion policy in the 2014-2020 funding period, a number of instruments have been implemented to tackle three major crises. The study analysed these instruments with regard to the COVID-19 crisis (CRII/CRII+ and REACT-EU), the refugee crisis (CARE/CARE+, FAST-CARE and REACT-EU) and the energy crisis (SAFE and REACT-EU). Based on quantitative data analyses, document analyses, interviews with programme authorities and beneficiaries, an online survey of programme authorities and a seminar with participants from programme authorities, academics and the European Commission, the implementation of the instruments was evaluated using classic evaluation criteria.
Within the project ÖIR was responsible for coordinating and conducting quantitative data analyses and preparing “country fiches” as concise summaries of the implementation of crisis response instruments and measures at Member State level. In addition, ÖIR conducted a case study on the implementation of measures in the health sector, analysing the use of crisis response instruments in Italy, Spain, Ireland, Czechia, France and Estonia.
