Slovakia with its high number of young population belongs to the youngest countries in the European Union. Official youth policy has existed since 1992.

Current Government in its Manifesto (2020-2024) promotes better conditions for the wellbeing of young people and development of their potential, especially through promoting policies that will help increase Roma youth employment, increasing the attractiveness of entrepreneurship by simplifying the start-up of entrepreneurship, creating favorable conditions for young families leaving in rural areas, support for young farmers, support for sport and educational and training opportunities outside school classes.

As stated in the Manifesto, the Government of the Slovak Republic recognizes that in addition to the formal education of children and young people, non-formal education and youth work are equally important. The Government will therefore support the development of appropriate infrastructure and ensure systemic and transparent financial support for non-formal education, including arts education and leisure activities.

Slovak main statement of youth policy is contained in the Strategy of the Slovak Republic for youth for the years 2021 – 2028 (hereinafter Youth Strategy). Promotion of youth is primarily responsibility of Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport (hereinafter MESRS). Due to transversal nature of youth policy, different Ministries are responsible for particular policy fields that affect young people. Age range for youth policy is 0 – 30, but different Ministries can address different age ranges as well, depending on the peculiarities of their fields. 

The National Institute for Education and Youth (Národný inštitút vzdelávania a mládeže, the abbreviation from the Slovak name is NIVAM) is the institution of MESRS responsible for various activities concerning youth policy preparation and implementation.

The municipalities are generally responsible for all citizens (including young people) and their task is to implement national policies (concerning also young people) in their territories. Local committees dealing with different themes including “youth” are working at all local governments.     

Work with young people and their upbringing is divided between public (NGOs) and state sector (e.g. youth centres.). Public sector is represented by non-profit organizations, some of them working only with children and youth.

In 1990 Youth Council of Slovakia was established, having currently 26 member organizations with more than 60 000 membership base.