Lessons from the Pandemic: Potential for Radical and Sustainable Change in V4 region

It is widely acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse effects on socioeconomic development globally. However, another important consequence of the virus outbreak has been a severe disruption to planning and decision-making processes at lower (local and regional) levels. 

With many actors and organisations experiencing feelings of uncertainty about the future, there is an urgent need to spread awareness amongst decision-makers responsible for strategy development as to:

• the key trends that have been observable during the pandemic and are expected to continue in the recovery period, and 
• the phenomena and actions at the lower level that could influence trend trajectories and allow for economic recovery.

This policy brief aims to motivate collective responses to shared challenges as they appear, allowing the V4 region to adapt to new circumstances in the quest for sustainable development.

The document is divided into three sections. The first summarises the main research findings by listing the positive and negative trends that are likely to shape the future of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The second section contains actionable recommendations guiding decision-makers in designing possible responses and thus managing the trajectory of envisaged changes and impacts. The third presents the methodology of the research process. 

Policy Brief in English: V4 2030 Policy Paper

Policy Brief in Czech: V4 2030 Policy Paper in Czech

Policy Brief in Polish: V4 2030 Dokument Programowy

Policy Brief in Slovak: V4 2030 Policy Paper Slovak

Policy Brief in Hungarian: V4 2030 Policy Paper Hungarian