EU staff Fund for a Fair and Sustainable Future

EU Staff for Climate, in cooperation with the King Baudouin Foundation, have set up a dedicated fund for EU staff to support the response to the COVID-19 crisis where it is most needed, to help prevent future crises and promote planetary health.

The Fund addresses immediate needs of local organizations that provide emergency response and socio-economic support to the most hit by the effects of the pandemic. Initially the Fund focused on Italy and Spain, where the needs for medical equipment, supplies and assistance were the most pressing but now it follows the evolution of the crisis distributing their budget among EU and accession countries were the need arise. Together with their donors it was decided to focus in particular on socioeconomic support to vulnerable groups, psychological support, including to health professionals, and education, with regard to access to online schooling and other forms of support. Environmental awareness is also a key aspect that is favoured when assessing project proposals, in line with the principle of planetary health. After the pandemic, the Fund will support social and economic recovery, inspired by the principles of sustainability, social justice and planetary health.