On this page

1. How Youth policy is funded

2. What is funded?

3. Financial accountability

4. Use of EU Funds

How Youth policy is funded

Youth policy in Slovakia is financed through integrated, multi-level budgets, primarily under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. The Ministry does not operate a standalone youth policy budget line; instead, youth policy is embedded within broader budget categories. From the state budget for 2025, a total of €3,851,507,152 is allocated to the National Programme for Upbringing, Education and Youth (Národný program výchovy, vzdelávania a mládeže – budget chapter 078). This comprehensive budget line covers a wide range of activities and institutions related to education, upbringing, and youth development. A portion of this allocation is directed to the National Institute of Education and Youth (NIVaM), which is responsible for implementing youth policy under an annual contract with the Ministry. Details on NIVaM’s specific budget and operational scope are provided in section 1.4.

The Ministry provides targeted funding to youth NGOs that operate in the area of youth representation and participation. In 2025, €440,000 was allocated so far to support these organizations.

At the regional and local levels, self-governing regions (VÚCs) and municipalities have the legal authority to allocate funds for youth policy activities. These are financed from shared tax revenues and local budgets, but there is no legal minimum for youth spending.

In addition to education-sector funding, youth policy objectives are also supported through cross-sectoral programmes. One example is the national programme Záruka pre mladých (Youth Guarantee), coordinated by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family. Although not funded from a dedicated youth policy budget, it contributes directly to youth policy goals by supporting young people’s transition to employment and education. Funding is provided through national labour market budgets and co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). More on this programme in 1.5.

What is funded?

Key areas funded under youth policy include:

• Development of youth policy infrastructure: Strengthening institutional capacities at national, regional, and local levels, including support for strategic planning, research, and policy coordination.
• Cross-sectoral cooperation: Initiatives that link youth policy with education, employment, health, and social inclusion, ensuring integrated approaches to youth development.
• Support for disadvantaged and marginalized youth: Programs aimed at improving access to opportunities for young people facing social, economic, or geographic barriers.
• Evidence-based policy making: Funding for data collection, research, and evaluation to inform youth policy decisions and monitor outcomes.
• International cooperation and mobility: Activities that promote cross-border collaboration, youth exchanges, and participation in European and global youth initiatives.
• Support for youth organizations contributing to youth policy implementation: Funding is provided to youth NGOs that represent young people at regional and national levels, facilitate youth participation, and contribute to the development and implementation of youth policy. Eligible activities include consultations, structured dialogue, educational workshops, public discussions, and campaigns aimed at strengthening youth voice in policymaking.

Financial Accountability

1. Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic

• External accountability:
  The Ministry is accountable to the Government of the Slovak Republic, the National Council (Parliament), and the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic (Najvyšší kontrolný úrad, NKÚ). It also coordinates with the Ministry of Finance regarding budgetary compliance.
• Supervision procedures:
  Financial management is governed by the Act on State Budget (Act No. 523/2004 Coll.) and the Act on Control in State Administration (Act No. 357/2015 Coll.). The Ministry undergoes internal audits by its Internal Audit Department and external audits by the NKÚ. It prepares annual financial and performance reports in a standardized format set by the Ministry of Finance.
• Evaluation links:
  Audit findings and financial reports are used in evaluating the effectiveness of youth programmes and funding schemes. These evaluations inform future policy adjustments and funding allocations.

2. National Institute for Education and Youth

• External accountability:
  The Institute is accountable to the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic, and the European Commission, as it hosts the National Agency for Erasmus+ in the fields of youth and sport.
• Supervision procedures:
  It operates under the  Act on State Budget (Act No. 523/2004 Coll.) and internal financial regulations issued by the Ministry. Financial oversight includes internal control systems, audits by national authorities, and compliance checks by EU bodies. The Institute must submit annual financial statements and detailed reports on the use of national and EU funds, following formats prescribed by the Ministry of Finance and the European Commission.
• Evaluation links:
  Financial and performance data are integrated into national and EU-level programme evaluations. Audit results and monitoring reports from the European Commission influence future funding decisions and policy development in the youth sector.

3. Self-Governing Regions (Vyššie územné celky)

• External accountability:
  Regional governments are accountable to their elected regional councils and to national oversight bodies, including the Supreme Audit Office.
• Supervision procedures:
  Governed by the Act on Self-Governing Regions (Act No. 302/2001 Coll.), regions prepare and execute regional budgets that include youth policy funding. They conduct internal audits and are subject to external financial supervision. Grant schemes for youth organizations follow standardized procedures for application, evaluation, and reporting.
• Evaluation links:
  Audit results and financial reports are used to assess the effectiveness of regional youth programmes and to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending.

4. Municipalities (Obce)

• External accountability:
  Municipalities are accountable to local councils and regional state financial control authorities.
• Supervision procedures:
  Under the Act on Municipalities (Act No. 369/1990 Coll.), municipalities prepare local budgets that include youth-related expenditures. They implement internal financial controls and are subject to audits and oversight by higher-level public authorities. Public funding to local NGOs and youth providers is distributed through transparent and regulated grant schemes.
• Evaluation links:
  Financial reporting and audit outcomes are considered in local programme evaluations and help ensure that public funds are used effectively and in line with policy goals.

5. Youth organizations Receiving Public Funding

• External accountability:
  Youth organizations receiving public funding are accountable to the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, as well as to other relevant public authorities depending on the funding source (e.g. regional governments, EU bodies).
• Supervision procedures:
  Funded organizations must submit financial and activity reports in accordance with the terms of the funding call. These reports are reviewed by the Ministry or the respective funding authority. Organizations may be subject to administrative checks, audits, and on-site inspections. They are required to comply with public procurement regulations and ensure transparent use of funds.
• Evaluation links:
  The outcomes of funded activities, including youth participation initiatives and policy contributions, are used to inform national and regional youth policy development. Reporting and evaluation results contribute to strategic monitoring and future funding decisions.

Use of EU Funds

EU funds play a strategic role in supporting the implementation of Slovakia’s youth policy, particularly in areas aligned with national priorities such as inclusion, participation, and skills development. These funds are not limited to youth work or mobility but are integrated into broader policy frameworks and institutional development.

Key EU funding instruments include:

• European Social Fund Plus (ESF+): Supports national youth policy objectives related to youth employment, social inclusion, and equal opportunities. A major initiative co-financed by ESF+ is the Youth Guarantee (Záruka pre mladých), which provides young people under 30 with timely access to employment, education, or training. The programme is implemented through national and regional labour offices and includes financial incentives for employers, support for self-employment, and career counselling services.
• Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF): Although not youth-specific, RRF investments in digital education, mental health, and green transition include components that directly benefit young people and align with youth policy goals.
• Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC): While primarily associated with youth work and mobility, these programs also support policy-level objectives such as strengthening youth participation, building institutional capacity, and fostering cross-sectoral cooperation. The National Institute of Education and Youth (NIVaM), which hosts the National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth and Sport, also serves as Slovakia’s partner in the RAY Network—a European research initiative that monitors and evaluates the impact of Erasmus+ Youth and ESC programmes. Through this collaboration, Slovakia contributes to international comparative research and uses the findings to inform national youth policy development.