4 Jan 2021
Due to the current critical health situation in Germany and on a global level, we would like to draw attention to internal and external safety measures and changes, because: In order to do our part preventively to contain the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic with the means at our disposal, we must act. And together.
True to the motto #FlattenTheCurve, it is our cooperative responsibility to act consciously. What exactly does that mean in times of the pandemic? Reducing human interaction to an absolute minimum and helping to ensure that the situation does not escalate exponentially and overwhelm our medical infrastructure. And even if the safety measures mentioned seem “feasible” at first, we are aware that everyone involved in the fashion industry will suffer under the current safety precautions.
In order to support and strengthen the fashion and creative industries as well as other sectors that are particularly affected by the necessary safety measures, we would like to provide information about financial resources and grants from the federal states and the government and assist with possible applications and questions.
In the spirit of solidarity, we wish everyone appropriate prudence, good health and a low negative impact of the dramatic development.
We are available to answer your questions at any time.
On behalf of the Management Board and the entire team, best wishes!
Official Support and financial support
General
Due to the novel coronavirus, Germany's economy is facing one of the biggest challenges in decades. Almost all sectors are severely affected, but especially freelancers and small and medium-sized companies, including those in the fashion industry.
For this purpose, 2gather.jetzt has created a digital space to overcome this new and unpredictable economic crisis together through crowdfunding, petitions, online campaigns or the simple exchange of information. We recommend regularly contacting local economic development agencies to find out about the possibilities.
The federal and state governments are working closely together to overcome the current situation. We are also working closely with the BWMi on an ongoing basis and in coordination with them. On their website, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy provides sources and contacts at state level. We recommend checking the relevant economic development agencies and their existing and newly created subsidies at state level. All links can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
At the level of the federal state
For specific economic questions, you can also contact your local IHK branch, which provides hotlines and advice on the subject of coronavirus. In Berlin, for example, an additional state program is to be adopted to help the creative industries in the face of impending sales losses. Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) has suggested supporting the self-employed with a one-off grant of 15,000 euros.
Similar flexible and new funding options are currently being designed and introduced in all federal states. Simple searches on the Internet by entering “Soforthilfe Berlin”, “Soforthilfe Bayern” or other state combinations provide useful contact and support information.
At the federal level
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has already taken a clear stance on the current health crisis and points out the following support options:
1. short-time working allowance will become more flexible. In future, companies will be able to receive it under simplified conditions. For example, short-time working allowance can be applied for if ten percent of employees are affected by the loss of work. You can find specific information and contacts here and here.
2. the improvement of tax measures facilitates the liquidity of companies. To this end, the deferral of tax payments is made easier and advance payments can be reduced more easily. Enforcements and late payment penalties are waived in connection with the effects of the coronavirus. It is recommended to contact your own tax offices, pension and social security institutions and municipalities.
3. The liquidity of companies is also supported by new, unlimited measures. To this end, existing liquidity assistance programs are being expanded and made available to more companies. The house banks generally provide information on the new options. However, there are also KfW loans for bridging, as well as guarantees via the guarantee banks of the federal states. It is also worth taking a look at the websites of the state development banks, here for example in Lower Saxony
4. At EU level, Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier and Federal Minister of Finance Scholz are currently holding talks on coordinated and decisive action. Among other things, the German government welcomes the European Commission's idea for a “Corona Response Initiative” with a volume of 25 billion euros.
Links
2. https://www.ihk-berlin.de/service-und-
beratung/international/coronavirus-trifft-wirtschaft-4713818
3. https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Dossier/coronavirus.html
5. https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/news/kurzarbeit-wegen-corona-virus
6. https://www.kfw.de/KfW-Konzern/Newsroom/Aktuelles/KfW-Corona-Hilfe-Unternehmen.html
7. https://www.foerdermittel-deutschland.de/foerderbanken/
8. https://www.nbank.de/Blickpunkt/Covid-19-%E2%80%93-Beratung-f%C3%BCr-unsere-Kunden.jsp
9. https://kreativ-bund.de/corona
Stay informed
In order to face this pandemic carefully and with the right measures, we appeal to you to inform yourself primarily via portals such as the Robert Koch Institute, the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization about the current situation of the novel coronavirus.
Contact us with further questions via:covid19@fashion-council-germany.org
