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1. Information providers / counselling structures

2. Awareness raising initiatives

Information providers / counselling structures

In Slovakia, several organizations play a central role in informing young people about non-formal and informal learning opportunities:

• Rada mládeže Slovenska (RmS) – The Slovak Youth Council is a national umbrella organization representing youth NGOs. It actively promotes non-formal education through its website mladez.sk, publications, and events. RmS also advocates for the recognition of youth work and informal learning outcomes.
• National Institute for Education and Youth (NIVAM) – As the main public body responsible for youth policy, NIVAM coordinates awareness efforts and supports youth organizations through funding, research, and national campaigns.
• Združenie informačných a poradenských centier mladých v Slovenskej republike – ZIPCeM (Association of Youth Information and Counselling Centres in the Slovak Republic): ZIPCeM is the umbrella organisation for a national network of Informačné centrá mladých – ICMs (Youth Information Centres) operating across Slovakia. These centres provide young people with access to information, counselling, and support in documenting competences gained through non-formal and informal learning.
• Eurodesk Slovakia – Hosted by NIVAM, Eurodesk provides young people with access to European mobility and learning opportunities, including Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.
• Youth NGOs and regional youth centres – These organizations offer direct access to workshops, volunteering, and informal learning experiences, often tailored to local needs.

Awareness raising initiatives

Declaration on Recognizing the Value of Non-formal Education in Youth Work (Deklarácia o uznávaní prínosu neformálneho vzdelávania v práci s mládežou)

The Declaration, originally launched in 2013, serves as a strategic tool to promote the societal value of non-formal education and youth work. In 2025, the declaration was reaffirmed with new signatories, including representatives from public institutions, NGOs, and private sector actors.

The process of acquiring new signatories has been continuously overseen by the National Institute for Education and Youth (NIVAM) since its inception. NIVAM coordinates the outreach and engagement efforts, ensuring that the declaration remains a living document that reflects evolving priorities in youth education and civic development.

This initiative highlights the importance of non-formal learning in developing key competences among young people and fosters cross-sectoral cooperation to support its recognition and integration into broader educational and employment frameworks.

Youth 4.0 – Innovations in Youth Work Conference

The Youth 4.0 conference opened the door to new approaches in supporting the younger generation. Organized by the National Institute for Education and Youth (NIVAM) in 2025, the event focused on innovation in youth work, emphasizing the importance of non-formal education, digital tools, and cross-sectoral cooperation. It brought together youth workers, educators, policymakers, and civil society representatives to explore how modern methods and technologies can better respond to the evolving needs of young people.