Our goal is to provide useful and evidence-based analyses on national as well as local policy issues for the decision- makers and the policy expert community to improve the quality of public debates and public decisions. We also prepare and coordinate cross- border, transnational and EU projects.

HETFA has broad experience in analysing and evaluating public policies and programmes, as well as formulating policy strategies and evaluation tools. Our specific methods for impact assessment provide basis for evidence based policy- making.

RELATED RESEARCH ACTIVITY OF HETFA

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, experts of HETFA has published a collection of brief analyses and proposals addressing the social and economic impacts of the global epidemic in Hungary. The  topics covered are the following:

1.   Territories of Hungary turned to be the most vulnerable to the epidemiological crisis: The first analysis of HETFA identified the most vulnerable Hungarian regions in light of tourism where the local economy and society are the most affected by the decline in consumption and production. Concrete proposals to minimize the loss were also formulated.

2.   The impact of the COVID-19 on the live music and festival sector: HETFA Creative Hub in collaboration with the Music Hungary Association assessed the damage incurred in the Hungarian live music and festival sector and compiled recommendations for a successful recovery of the music industry.

3.   Areas of  Hungary most affected by  people moving to  their holiday  homes: After introducing restrictions due to COVID-19, many city dwellers decided to move to the countryside which led to serious challenges in these rural areas. Colleagues defined the regions having the largest number and highest proportion of endangered social groups (i.e. elderly, chronic patients) and listed the areas which are the most popular destination for those who left the cities. Comparing the results areas that faced the greatest risk in terms of the spread of the epidemic were determined.

4.   Expert  proposal  for  the  development of  an  economic  intervention  package  as  a response to COVID-19 crisis: Experts of HETFA shared their views and recommendations on government interventions which are necessary to mitigate the economic effects of the coronavirus epidemic. Four proposals were elaboratedf connected to aspects of crisis management.

5.   The impact of the epidemic shock on urban development, including transport and public space changes: The complex analysis aimed to explore the impact of the novel shock effect of COVID-19 on the image and operation of Hungarian cities. The most important topics addressed are urban mobility, adaptivity, public spaces, outdoor capacities, and transportation.

6.   The consequences of a possible delay in the summer festival season: In the analysis on the prospects of the Hungarian festival market, HETFA made a model estimate of the worst-case scenario i.e. if the larger events, fairs and festivals planned for the summer in Hungary cannot be  held or  should be  postponed. Economic, regional, tourism and sociological aspects were analysed as well.

7. Research on the situation of Hungarian female entrepreneurs during the coronavirus epidemic: At the end of May, HETFA Research Institute is launching a new research in order to better understand the situation of female entrepreneurs during the coronavirus epidemic. The research examines the impact of the pandemic on the operation of companies led by women and maps the difficulties faced by women entrepreneurs in reconciling entrepreneurial and family roles. The research will be extended to neighbouring countries (Romania and Slovakia) and to other European countries (possibly Spain, France, Germany) taking part in ifempower project led by HETFA.

In addition to these analyses, expert advices of the Managing Directors of HETFA on the economic and social impact of the epidemiological crisis were published in prestigious economic and public journals.

CONTACT 

E-mail: internationaloffice@hetfa.hu

Web: www.hetfa.eu