Responding to outbreaks through co-creative sustainable inclusive equality strategies

The RESISTIRE project aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 policy responses on behavioral, social, and economic inequalities in the EU, Serbia, Turkey, and the UK using a conceptual gender+ framework. It also sought to design and test policy solutions and social innovations for deployment by policymakers and stakeholders in various policy domains.

The project used a three-cycle approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research with co-creation. Each six-month cycle produced operational results and integrated insights from the previous one. Key activities included:

- Extensive mapping of policy and societal responses to COVID-19 using secondary survey data, workshops with civil society, interviews with public authorities, and narratives from precarious and vulnerable groups, translated into operational insights.

- Development of responses and tools from a holistic perspective with a co-design approach involving multiple stakeholders and providing recommendations for action.

- Launching pilot actions to demonstrate the potential impact of proposed solutions.

- Disseminating knowledge, developing policy recommendations, and empowering stakeholders to leverage project results.

RESISTIRE's consortium included ten European research, innovation, and design partners with a strong network of healthcare stakeholders. The project aimed to understand problems and prioritize solutions, contributing to reducing inequalities resulting from COVID-19 policy responses.