What makes an economy resilient? Lessons learned after the 2008 crisis and what it means for today
- Category: National Policy Reports
Since shocks cannot be avoided and are likely to occur more frequently in the future, it is crucial to strengthen economic resilience – “the ability of a country to withstand a shock and recover quickly to its potential [growth] after it falls into recession” – on national and regional levels.
In the shadows of coronavirus: Where is Hungarian companies’ competitiveness heading?
- Category: National Policy Reports
The most often raised issue with SMEs in Hungary is that they are lagging behind larger firms and their western rivals in terms of productivity, which is the added value produced by a worker in a given timeframe. The low productivity, in turn, holds the entire Hungarian economy back.
Data and politics: V4 at crossroads?
- Category: V4 Mirror
Digital disruption is happening: further enhanced by the Covid-19 crisis on the social, political and economic levels, EU member states, and V4 countries among them, are rushing to keep up with competitors and level the global playing field. The EU27 need to keep in sight the necessity to maintain focus on cohesion.
Making the most of the recovery in Visegrad
- Category: V4 Mirror
The Visegrad region has been hit hard by the pandemic and its economic fallout, but major funds are available to support the recovery and transition to towards a greener and more digitalised economy.
New data behind Slovakia´s leap in renewables share
- Category: National Policy Reports
The reviewed data on the share of renewable energy in the total energy consumption mean that Slovakia has reached the 2020 EU target and is even close to reaching the target for 2030. Despite this, some of the renewable energies raise concerns over environmental and health issues.
Prof. Nikos Passas: It’s up to us whether we face a „time of great corruption” once the pandemic is over
- Category: V4 Mirror
“Ideas, institutions and laws give the necessary framework to get started. How things are implemented is the acid test. It remains to be seen how it will be facilitated and supported by member states or how it may be sabotaged. I consider european institution key to protection of financial interests in European Union for rule of law, integrity and deeper integrated processes that EU desperately needs of this points”, says Professor Nikos Passas in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.
Saving money in the short-term may haunt the Hungarian government in the long-term
- Category: National Policy Reports
States implemented unprecedented measures restricting private life in response to the coronavirus pandemic, severely damaging entire economic sectors. In turn, governments introduced novel, high volume social and sectoral aid programs to mitigate the long-term negative effects of the crisis. The size and specifics of economic stimulus packages vary from country to country. Hungary also tried to carve its own path amidst this unprecedented crisis.
Czechia lacks strategic communication. That is why it’s losing the information war
- Category: National Policy Reports
The pandemic has exposed how important it is to effectively and quickly fight against disinformation campaigns. The Czech Republic has long underestimated this problem. Now, we can see the results.
The laboratory focusing on coordinating research could strengthen Hungary’s AI push
- Category: National Policy Reports
If all goes according to government´s plans, Artificial Intelligence (AI) could constitute up to 15 % of the Hungarian GDP by 2030. The multi-pillar strategy on AI is overseen by the Computational and Automatization Research Institute-led (SZTAKI) Artificial Intelligence National Laboratory (MILAB), created last year.
European Recovery in Visegrad
- Category: Infographics
Visegrad countries will benefit from the Next Generation EU - the 750 bn worth stimulus post-pandemic recovery package - through its various mechanisms and facilities. Following infographic offers a breakdown of national allocations. Also, it shows to what extent the public in Visegrad countries appreciates common EU efforts in the reaction of pandemic and the (un)willingness to get vaccinated.
Energy poverty threatens Czech coal mining regions
- Category: National Policy Reports
Czech coal mining regions are providing the whole country with heating and electricity. Meanwhile, local people cannot afford to heat their own homes.
Will Europe run on Polish lithium-ion batteries?
- Category: National Policy Reports
Lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles have become one of the specialties of Polish exports. They mainly go to other EU member states. But in order to maintain the position of the EU leader and, at the same time, successfully compete with Asian producers, Poland must not only further develop its production capacity, but also produce lithium-ion batteries with a lower carbon footprint.
