Governance

Youth volunteering in Slovakia is coordinated through various public and non-public actors, each contributing to policy-making, implementation, and advocacy:

• Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic: This Ministry is the primary governmental body responsible for youth policy, including youth volunteering. It manages the Slovak Youth Institute (NIVAM), which administers national grant programs and EU initiatives like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. NIVAM also undertakes educational, conceptual, informational, research, and supportive activities within the youth volunteering sector.
• Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic: The Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for the Development of Civil Society operates under this Ministry. Although youth volunteering is not explicitly outlined as one of its competencies, the office indirectly supports youth volunteering through the implementation of the Strategy of Civil Society Development.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Several NGOs play crucial roles in youth volunteering:
  • Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations: Established in 2011, this platform fosters a supportive environment for volunteering and advocates for its recognition. It facilitates the development of volunteer coordinators and promotes volunteering as a tool for non-formal education.
  • Youth Council of Slovakia (RMS): Representing 29 NGOs and over 51,000 members, RMS advocates for the interests of youth organizations at the national level and in the European Youth Forum.
  • Volunteer Centres: These centres provide services such as volunteer-organization networking, volunteer management training, and cross-sectoral partnership development.
• Children’s and Youth Organizations: Groups like Slovak Scouts, DOMKA, eRko, and others contribute significantly to the development of volunteering activities.

Distribution of Responsibilities

• Government Authorities: Responsible for policy formulation, conceptual document creation, and financial support provision.
• NGOs: Independently initiate and implement volunteer activities and advocacy measures.

International Cooperation

While there is no formalized cooperation with other countries' volunteering systems, Slovakia participates in EU programs such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, facilitating international exchanges and the adoption of best practices.

Cross-Sectoral Cooperation

Slovakia exhibits robust cross-sectoral cooperation involving government bodies, NGOs, and educational institutions:

• Strategy Development: In 2018, the Ministry of Education collaborated with the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations to develop the "Strategy of Education Children and Youth for Volunteering." This inclusive process involved diverse stakeholders, including teachers, NGOs, and civil society representatives.
• Legislative Cooperation: The Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations actively collaborates with the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary and other partners to propose legislative changes to enhance the volunteering framework, with significant progress noted in 2021. The amendment to Act No. 406/2011 on Volunteering in 2023 further streamlined conditions for volunteers and organizations, introducing an accreditation process for volunteer activities to ensure quality and structure.
• Intersectoral Partnerships: Volunteer centres encourage partnerships among volunteer organizations, local governments, and companies. They promote the societal value of volunteering and conduct research to monitor trends and needs.