Euclid Network & the UNTFSSE Special Meeting on COVID-19

The meeting brought together 40 participants including representatives from six member organisations (ILO, UNRISD, UNCTAD, UNDP-ART, UNDESA, and UNHRC), 10 observer organizations (CIRIEC, EURICSE, GSEF, Euclid Network, Social Economy Europe, SSE International Forum, RIPESS, CSEND, EMES, and ICA) and three resource persons.

A number of representatives from member and observer organisations shared their ongoing work on COVID-19 response and SSE including research, policy analysis, information gathering and sharing, advocacy and technical cooperation. Some representatives noted that they have been conducting surveys to assess members’ needs, explore innovative solutions, and gather government measures in support of SSE organisations and ecosystems including recovery funds and policies.

The participants expressed the need to systematise and share the knowledge of the task force members and observers. It was agreed that the dedicated page of the UNTFSSE would be populated with data, information, and knowledge from the different UN agencies and organisations of the task force.

The Chair of the Task Force and the Director of the ILO’s Enterprises Department Vic Van Vuuren noted that SSE enterprises and organisations will be key for the recovery and transformation of societies and economies in the follow up to the COVID-19 crisis. The UNTFSSE meeting concluded with an agreement to realign its work plan in responding to the unfolding realities.