The Coronavirus outbreak presents a major challenge to the entire European Union and solidarity is an important part of the response to this unprecedented crisis.

Cohesion Policy funding is playing a central role in the EU's  Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative, which aims to mobilise cohesion policy to flexibly respond to the rapidly emerging needs in the most exposed sectors, such as healthcare, SMEs and labour markets, and help the most affected territories in Member States and their citizens.

At this event Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms was in conversation with Jim Brunsden of the FT and Bruegel's Deputy Director, Maria Demertzis to discuss how the EU is making money available for those who need it the most.

This event is part of a series of talks and debates with Europe’s political leaders jointly organised by the Financial Times and Bruegel.