Slovakia

Basic information

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Mechanisms of Vertical Integration

National — sub-national linkages

During the preparation of the NSDS, the local level was involved via the two Associations of Local Authorities (one for cities, the other one for municipalities). Representatives of the Associations participated in working groups that also involved other stakeholder groups. The regional self-governments did not exist at the time of NSDS preparation.

Regarding implementation, there is no direct link between the NSDS and the activities at the sub-national levels. Policy-making is generally undertaken through regulations and rules. Several other sub-national activities and projects are undertaken in the context of EU and UN resources. These activities sometimes contribute to the implementation of NSDS objectives, however, no strategic link to or coordination with the NSDS is made.

The Government Council for SD formally also involves representatives of the self-government bodies. However, there were no meetings of this Council in the last 2-3 years, thus it is not an active council. LA21 initiatives exist on the municipal level. However, there is no formal or institutionalised link between the NSDS and LA21 activities.

EU linkages

The renewed EU Strategy for Sustainable Development (EU SDS) that was adopted in June 2006 foresees that Member States bi-annually report about how they address the priorities of the EU SDS. Slovakia has published its first national report on implementing the EU SDS in Summer 2007.

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Mechanisms of Horizontal Integration

The Government Council for Sustainable Development, originally established in 1999, gained new statutory rights in 2004. However, the Council has not convened any meetings over the last 2-3 years. Therefore, it is not an active body.

Generally, the Council is a coordinating, advisory and initiating body of the Slovak Government for issues related to Agenda 21, Millennium Development Goals, Johannesburg implementation plan and policies of the EU, especially initiatives and programmes supporting SD policies. The Council is chaired by the Deputy Vice-Minister for European Affairs; the Minister of Environment acts as the vice-chair. Members of the Council included ministers of key sector ministries and heads of the state administration bodies.

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Evaluation and Review

Progress reports about implementation of objectives defined in the NSSD and the Action Plan on SD are submitted to the Government once every year. The progress reports are submitted by individual ministries on the basis of indicators.

Slovakia is currently preparing an evaluation report on the implementation of the SD Action Plan for the year 2007. The report will be published in early spring 2008.

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Indicators and Monitoring

The current NSDS formulates 10 'long-term priorities' and 71 indicators. Every year in March, an evaluation based on the indicators formulated in the NSDS is undertaken.

One of the 13 tasks outlined in the Action Plan for SD (2005-15) is the creation of a database of basic SD indicators, continuous assignment of indicators to individual objectives and assessment of these indicators. Monitoring of the transition of the Slovak economy towards SD should be based on the assessment of the implementation of the objectives of the action plan.

The full list(s) of indicators as identified by a study commissioned by Eurostat can be downloaded here:

• NSDS indicators (2001)

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Participation

The NSDS wad developed as a bottom-up process based on a broad public consultation process that involved over 200 experts which were coordinated by a steering committee.

The Government Council for Sustainable Development held its first meeting in 1999. The Council is an advisory and coordinating body of the Slovak Government for the implementation of the principles of SD at the national level. The Council is chaired by the Vice-Prime Minister for Human Rights and Regional Development and involves other relevant ministries as well as heads of the state administration bodies. The Council established an ‘expert committees for SD’, consisting of experts from the academic community, self-government, trade unions and employers associations, representatives of state government bodies, etc.

For a detailed documentation of all advisory and participatory councils (for SD and/or the environment) in this country, please go to the EEAC website at http://www.eeac-net.org/bodies/slovakia/slo_frame.htm and click on one of the listed institutions.

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Sub-national activities

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This Country Profile has been last updated on: Friday, 05 December 2008

For the sources used in the country profiles, please click here.