The Annual Report on European SMEs 2020/2021, commissioned by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) of the European Commission, reviews the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on EU SMEs in 2020 as well as their expected performance in 2021, after providing a brief overview of their pre-pandemic performance. The report focuses particularly on the digitalisation of European SMEs, as the use of various digital tools in 2020 helped to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
The current study by DIW Econ, in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert, DIW Berlin, commissioned by the Bavarian SPD state parliamentary group, examines how the Free State of Bavaria can achieve a just transition into a emission neutral future. For this purpose, the study discusses specific social-ecological measures for the upcoming political reorientation in the sectors of energy, transport, buildings and industry.
DIW Econ conducted the feasibility study “Mobility as a Public Service (MaaPS)” from July 2020 to April 2021. The study aims to gauge the potential of micro-mobility data for public administration and develop concrete technical solutions for the efficient use of the data by local authorities. The “MaaPS” project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure with around 100,000 euros as part of the mFUND innovation initiative.
The project evaluated data from a micro-mobility provider on the use of electric pedal scooters in Berlin and Munich. Accompanying the evaluation of the data and the development of administrative recommendations for action, a dialogue took place with the Berlin and Munich authorities. The technical and administrative requirements for the implementation of a suitable process for data exchange between micro-mobility providers and municipalities were examined.
The study recommends aggregating micro-mobility data using the hexagonal spatial reference H3 and implementing a central competence or research data centre for micro-mobility data that could efficiently direct the exchange between providers and cities. “MaaPS lays the foundation for a standardised exchange of data between cities and micro-mobility providers in Germany,” states DIW Econ project manager Maximilian Priem.
The study “Maritime value-added and employment in Germany” makes it possible for the first time to make a scientifically substantiated assessment of the overall economic significance of the industry for Germany. The results can serve as a trend-setting basis for discussion for political decisions at all federal and regional levels.
The study was conducted on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) by a consortium consisting of ISL (Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics), Fraunhofer CML, ETR (Economic Trends Research) and DIW Econ.
In the current issue of DIW Berlin: Politikberatung kompakt 168, DIW Econ and Prof Dr Claudia Kemfert, Dr Claus Michelsen as well as Dr Marius Clemens of the DIW Berlin analyse the macroeconomic impacts and climate protection effects of the German Reconstruction and Resilience Plan (DARP) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF). The goals of the DARP are to stabilise the economy and promote economic transformation.
Due to the planned partial financing from the European Reconstruction and Resilience Facility (ARF), the impact analysis of the DARP not only quantifies the economic and financial policy effects but also evaluates the effects of the DARP measures with regard to the requirements of the European Commission, which were defined in a predefined catalogue of criteria.