Block Grant for NGO and Partnerships in Slovakia

Project completed
A homeless man having a meal in Bratislava
In the St Vincent de Paul shelter for homeless people, more than 150 people find a safe place to sleep and a hot meal. © SDC SDC

The goal of the Block Grant for NGO and Swiss-Slovak Partnership Support is to strengthen civil society as an important factor of social cohesion and sustainable development as well as to support cooperation between Swiss and Slovak institutions. It will support projects aimed at the provision of social services, protection of the environment and joint Swiss-Slovak Projects.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Slovakia
Strengthening civil society
Non-governmental organisations
08.07.2011 - 31.12.2015
CHF  5’510’901

Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.

Background

The real development of the Civil Society in Slovakia started after the so called ‘velvet revolution’ in 1989. This development, which had to face many constraints during the last two decades, has still not reached a level allowing the non-profit sector to significantly influence public discussions or the state policy. NGOs lack stabile financial sources and they depend largely on funding from the 2% tax assignation mechanism. No NGO programme or development strategy is available in Slovakia. However, a governmental plenipotentiary for civil society development has been designated recently.

Objectives

The goal of the NGO and Partnership Block Grant is to strengthen the participation of NGOs at addressing specific needs of the society and to reinforce the relations and cooperation between Slovakia and Switzerland. The Block Grant specific objectives are: (i): Increased accessibility and level of social services as well as an increased level of social cohesion; (ii): Enhanced protection of the environment, increased awareness of environmental issues and the application of sustainable development principles; (iii): Established network of cooperation among the Slovak and Swiss municipalities, institutions and social partners to promote and exchange best practices and transfer of know-how in variuos thematic areas.

Target groups

Slovak NGOs; institutions of different types, municipalities, regional authorities

Activities

The Ekopolis Foundation administers the fund and organizes the calls for proposals for the identification of sub-projects. Ekopolis is responsible for the acceptance, evaluation and approval of proposals. It will ensure the monitoring and evaluation of sub-projects. Ekopolis will delegate certain responsibilities to its 2 partners, to Socia Foundation and the Carpathian Foundation, both being well recognised NGOs. The Intermediary will offer consultation and advice for the NGOs and applicants within the partnership component through seminars and other means. As well, the Intermediary will ensure publicity at level of the Block Grant but also require the publicity at the sub-project level.

Results

Achieved results:  

  • 22 sub-projects implemented, of which 9 in the field of environmental protection and 13 in the field of social services
  • 18 Swiss-Slovak partnership projects supported
  • 33 NGOs realized measures of their personal and technical development


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Swiss Contribution to the enlarged EU
Project partners Contract partner
Foreign state institution
  • National State Institute North


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’510’901 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    4’947’350
Project phases

Phase 1 08.07.2011 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)