Team Europe, a joint effort among European institutions to tackle the pandemic

The beginning of 2020 has meant more than just the start of a new year. With the new decade, all countries and regions have had to face the social and economic consequences that the outbreak of the pandemic has brought about to a greater or lesser extent. These consequences have been most evident in regions that already had existing challenges and inequalities, as in the case of Latin America, currently the region worst hit by the pandemic.

On 8 April the European Commission, aware of the impact that the crisis caused by COVID-19 was going to have, adopted the Global EU response to COVID-19 to support its partners and leave no one behind. This was the start of Team Europe, a new approach based on joint work among EU institutions, member states and their implementing agencies and development finance institutions. 

The activities carried out within the framework of Team Europe fall under the Commission’s three priorities, namely the emergency response to the health crisis and humanitarian needs, support for strengthening research and health and water systems and addressing economic and social consequences.  The EU contribution to the global response to COVID-19 not only seeks immediate solutions, but also looks to the medium and long term of the recovery, with special attention to the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the FIIAPP, as part of the Spanish and EU cooperation system, has seen itself as a member of Team Europe. As a member of the European networkPractitioners’ Network, the Foundation is actively participating in the strategic dialogue with its European partners by mobilising knowledge of the public sector. 

Through this approach, the FIIAPP, together with Spanish state bodies, has accompanied partner countries in their response to the pandemic and its consequences. Thanks to rapid online adaptation, more than 80 activities have been carried out in Latin America, the European Neighbourhood and the Sahel, mostly aimed at supporting vulnerable people and health systems, reinforcing the rule of law and strengthening economic systems.