Forthcoming policy developments

• Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Youth for 2021–2028

• Grant Scheme “Programmes for Youth" from 2022, MERDY

• Amendment to the Act No. 245/2008 Coll. on Education

• Amendment to the Act No. 406/2011 Coll. on Volunteering

• Informatization of education system plan towards 2030

• Recovery plan for Slovakia

• Strategy of the Slovak Republic for an inclusive approach in education

Ongoing debates

Development of key competences and basic skills of youth

The development and strengthening of key competences of young people necessary for work as well as private life is a necessary precondition for achieving a state in which every young person will be able to fully develop their potential. Non-formal education, as well as other forms of youth work, are an irreplaceable tool in helping young people to acquire key competences.

Employment and financial literacy

Young people are among the groups at high risk of high unemployment, and also discrimination in the labour market and the workplace. In 2020, an average of almost 25 000 young people in Slovakia under the age of 29 years old were monthly registered as jobseekers.

Youth work, through non-formal education, provides opportunities in which programmes and support mechanisms can be created and implemented to develop the necessary competences of youth and gain practical experience to be better prepared for the labour market.

Impact of climate change on youth

One of the biggest challenges facing the current young generation is climate change. Young people should therefore be given the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making at local, national and global level and to actively support those initiatives that lead to the adoption of legislation with a long-term impact.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth

It is now clear that the coronavirus pandemic will have far-reaching impacts on the younger generation. According to the continuous survey “How are you, Slovakia?”, initiated by the Slovak Academy of Science, MNFORCE and Seesame, young people under the age of 40 years old experience stress and anxiety related to the pandemic the most. There is no doubt the pandemic will take a significant mental health toll on youth. Youth workers should therefore be sufficiently prepared. Youth workers will have to adapt to the ways in which they provide their services and also the tools they use. One of the main topics today is digital youth work, which during the pandemic became a necessity.