Global online forum on impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the informal economy: Main findings and ways forward from a South-South Perspective

This online forum provided insights into the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the informal economy. It provided an opportunity to share experiences and identify practical action that can be taken– at the thematic and policy level – to deal with the situation and to prepare for an inclusive and sustainable recovery OBJECTIVES • strengthen technical knowledge on the impact of the pandemic on workers and economic units in the informal economy. • strengthen understanding of how governments, social partners and other stakeholders from various economies in the Global South are taking innovative measures to mitigate the social and economic impact of the crisis, notably on the most vulnerable groups • share experiences on what steps countries can take to manage and overcome the impact of COVID-19 to prevent further informalization and advance on facilitating the transition from the informal to the formal economy. CONTENT This innovative e-learning forum has been designed with a learner-centred approach in order to better involve participants. It was highly interactive and engaging, using different methods throughout the five modules with a focus on experience sharing from the South South and Triangular Cooperation perspective. It involved presentations and discussions between participants from different regions of the world working in informality and a collaborative learning environment that encouraged exchange of ideas & practical actions taken to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on further informalisation.