National Programme for Youth Volunteering

Slovakia does not have a specific National Programme for Youth Volunteering. However, youth volunteering is actively supported through various national initiatives and programs, including:

• The Youth Strategy of the Slovak Republic: Functions as a comprehensive framework for shaping youth policy, encouraging active participation, and ensuring young people are involved in decision-making processes related to volunteering and civic engagement.
• Concept for the Development of Civil Society (2022–2030): Includes specific objectives for the development of volunteering initiatives.

The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth (MINEDU) and the Ministry of Interior are the main responsible authorities. Non-governmental actors, such as the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations, play an essential role in facilitating and promoting volunteering activities.

Funding

Youth volunteering initiatives in Slovakia are funded through:

• National budget allocations, primarily through MINEDU:

1. Representative Structures for Youth Participation

This funding opportunity supports organizations registered under §15, paragraph 2 of the law, listed as eligible applicants. These organizations contribute to youth development through non-formal education in youth work and help implement national youth policies. They also represent youth interests at both regional and national levels.In this area, the Platform of Volunteer Centers is an eligible applicant and received funding from MINEDU between 2022–2024 to support volunteering initiatives.

2. Volunteering Opportunities for Youth

This funding opportunity supports organizations registered under §15, paragraph 2 of the law that promote youth volunteering and contribute to youth development through non-formal education. In this area, 9 organizations were supported by MŠVVaM SR funding between 2022–2024 to enhance youth volunteering initiatives.

3. Current Priorities in Youth Work

This funding opportunity focuses on projects that support youth participation and volunteering in schools, communities, and society. In this area, 13 organizations received funding from MINEDU between 2022–2024 to promote youth participation and volunteering.

• EU funding through programs like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

Characteristics of Youth Volunteering

There are no official statistics on youth volunteering in Slovakia. The Slovak Statistics Office gathers data on volunteers annually, but without specifying age groups. Representative research from 2017 (Brozmanová, Siekelová, Šolcová, 2018) and 2019 (Čavojská, Feherpataky-Kuzmová, Fishbone Vlčková, 2020) are primary data sources.

• Participation Rates: In 2019, 36% of young people engaged in formal volunteering, and 70% participated in informal volunteering.
• Activity Areas: Environment, sports, health, social services, and youth organizations.
• Motivation and Barriers: Motivations include altruism, egotism, and normative reasons. Barriers are lack of time, information, and outreach.

Support to Young Volunteers

Support mechanisms include:

• Provision of equipment, health insurance, and indemnity insurance.
• Optional supports such as meal provisions, accommodation, and transportation under the Act on Volunteering.
• Financial constraints often limit the practical application of these supports.

Target Groups

Youth aged up to 30 are identified as the target group. Special emphasis is placed on "young people with fewer opportunities" who face social, cultural, or geographic disadvantages. However, specific measures to support these groups are limited.