On this page

1. Policy Framework

2. Formal learning

3. Non-formal and informal learning

4. Educators support in entrepreneurship education

Policy Framework

At the national level, Slovakia does not have a standalone strategy explicitly dedicated to the development of entrepreneurship competence among young people. However, elements of entrepreneurship education are embedded within broader policies, such as:

• The National Reform Programme of the Slovak Republic, which emphasizes improving key competences, including entrepreneurial and financial literacy.
• The Strategy for Youth 2021–2028, which highlights the need to strengthen key competences, including entrepreneurship, through both formal and non-formal education.
• The Strategy for Lifelong Learning and Guidance 2021–2030, which indirectly supports entrepreneurship through lifelong learning initiatives.

Despite these strategic documents, there is no comprehensive framework that systematically develops entrepreneurship competence across all education levels. Various institutions, such as the Ministry of Education, Science, Development, and Youth (MŠVVaM SR), the State Institute of Vocational Education (ŠIOV), and the National Institute of Education and Youth (NIVAM), contribute to policy implementation.

Formal learning

Entrepreneurship competence is partially integrated into Slovakia’s formal education system through curricula in secondary and vocational schools. Key policy measures include:

• State Educational Programmes (Štátne vzdelávacie programy) – Entrepreneurship-related subjects, such as economics and business basics, are included in the curricula of vocational schools and business academies.
• Simulation-Based Learning – The Slovak Centre of Practice Enterprises (SCCF) operates within ŠIOV and connects students to the international network of practice firms (PEN Worldwide), helping them gain hands-on business experience.
• Junior Achievement Slovakia (JA Slovakia) – A non-governmental initiative that collaborates with schools to deliver entrepreneurship education through programs like "More Than Money" and "Economics and Business Textbook."
• Financial Literacy Framework – The Ministry of Education provides guidelines on financial education, which partially overlaps with entrepreneurship competence.

While these initiatives contribute to the development of entrepreneurship competence, they are often limited to specific subjects or elective courses rather than being embedded across all educational disciplines.

Non-formal and informal learning

Slovakia has several initiatives that promote entrepreneurial skills outside formal education:

• Youth Entrepreneurship Programs – Organizations such as JA Slovakia, DofE (Duke of Edinburgh’s Award), and SAPIE (Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy) offer training, mentoring, and competitions for young entrepreneurs.
• Business Incubators and Hackathons – Events like Startup Weekend and accelerator programs provide hands-on experience in entrepreneurship.
• Recognition of Non-Formal Learning – Some programs allow young people to validate their entrepreneurial competences through certificates (e.g., EU Youthpass), but a national validation system for informal entrepreneurship education is lacking.
• Regional Strategies – Each self-governing region in Slovakia develops education and employment policies, some of which include measures to support youth entrepreneurship.

Despite these initiatives, non-formal entrepreneurship education is not widely recognized or integrated into national qualifications frameworks, limiting its impact and accessibility.

Educators support in entrepreneurship education

Support for educators in developing entrepreneurship competence is limited in Slovakia. Key challenges include a lack of training opportunities, insufficient teaching materials, and the absence of a standardized approach to entrepreneurship education. However, some initiatives aim to address these gaps:

• Professional Development for Teachers – The National Institute of Education and Youth (NIVAM) offers training programs, but they focus primarily on financial literacy rather than broader entrepreneurial competences.
• Teaching Materials – Organizations like JA Slovakia provide textbooks and online resources to support teachers in delivering entrepreneurship education.
• International Collaboration – Participation in Erasmus+ projects and cross-border initiatives helps some educators gain exposure to modern entrepreneurship teaching methodologies.
• Limited Practical Experience – A key barrier is that many educators lack personal experience in entrepreneurship, making it difficult to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.