Existence of a National Strategy 

Slovakia does not have a dedicated national strategy exclusively focused on youth volunteering. However, volunteering is integrated into broader strategic documents that encompass youth engagement and participation. The primary strategic documents relevant to youth volunteering include:

• Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Youth (2021-2028): This framework includes objectives to foster civic participation, including volunteering, as part of broader youth engagement policies.
• Concept of Education and Training of Children and Youth for Volunteering (2018): The aim of the concept is to create conditions for the implementation of education and training for volunteering at all levels of education in schools and educational institutions.
• Concept for the Development of Civil Society in Slovakia for 2022–2030 (Koncepcia rozvoja občianskej spoločnosti na Slovensku na roky 2022 – 2030): This document includes specific measures to promote volunteering, particularly focusing on fostering education and management capacities in the field of volunteering.
• National Plan for the Development of Volunteering 2024–2030 (Národný plán rozvoja dobrovoľníctva 2024 –2030):This document sets out measures to systematically support and develop volunteering. It focuses on strengthening the legislative for volunteering, improving recognition and validation of volunteer work, enhancing education and training opportunities in the field, and building coordination structures to ensure long-term sustainability and quality of volunteer engagement across sectors, including youth work.

Scope and Contents

Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Youth (2021-2028) in the field of youth volunteering includes the objective to increase the participation of young people in volunteer activities both domestically and abroad. The measures focus on strengthening the quality and sustainability of youth volunteering through the development of volunteer management, professional training, counselling, and support for quality labels. 

• A key area is capacity-building for volunteer centres and organisations working with both domestic and international volunteers, as well as promoting volunteering and including disadvantaged young people.
• The measures also support systematic education and training for volunteering, cooperation between schools and volunteer organisations, and the recognition of competences acquired through volunteer activities within education and in the labour market. 
• Emphasis is also placed on the financial sustainability of long-term volunteer programmes, the use of the European Solidarity Corps, and the development of well-managed online volunteering. 

The Concept for the Development of Civil Society (2022–2030) outlines key objectives for youth volunteering, focusing on the following measures:

• Education and Awareness: Promote education and awareness of volunteering in all levels of education through the "Concept of Education and Training for Volunteering."
• Capacity Building: Enhance management skills for volunteer coordinators and support quality standards in volunteer management.
• Inclusive Volunteering: Encourage inclusive volunteering opportunities to engage marginalised youth groups and ensure equitable participation.

Specific target groups identified include youth aged 15-30, with an emphasis on engaging those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The main objective of National Plan for the Development of Volunteering 2024–2030 in youth volunteering policy is to increase the participation of children and young people in volunteer activities. 

• Key measures focus on integrating education for volunteering at all levels of schooling, recognising and supporting schools that implement it, appointing volunteer coordinators, and strengthening cooperation between schools and volunteer organisations. 
• Additional priorities include promoting youth volunteering and its benefits, building the capacity of volunteer centres, supporting the inclusion of disadvantaged youth, recognising competences gained through volunteering, ensuring the sustainability of long-term programmes, and developing quality-managed online volunteering.

Responsible Authority

The main governmental bodies responsible for the implementation and monitoring of strategies that include youth volunteering are:

• Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic: Responsible for strategic youth policy, including volunteering programs and initiatives.
• Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic: Oversees the development of civil society and legal frameworks concerning volunteering.
• Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations: Acts as a significant non-governmental partner in promoting, advocating, and implementing volunteering strategies. 

Monitoring processes involve regular reporting and evaluations, coordinated by these key authorities to ensure progress toward strategic goals. These strategies are integrated into broader national policies supporting youth development and civil society engagement.

Revisions/Updates

While there has not been a dedicated national strategy specifically on youth volunteering, significant updates have been made within the broader strategies:

• 2022: Introduction of the new Concept for the Development of Civil Society (2022–2030), which introduced measures focusing on volunteer education and management.
• 2023: The amendment to Act No. 406/2011 on Volunteering introduced an accreditation process for volunteer activities and emphasized quality standards in volunteer management.
• 2024: National Plan for the Development of Volunteering 2024–2030 prepared by Platform of Volunteer Centers and Organization in cooperation with public authorities and nonprofit organisation.