Programme agreement signed for the Domestic and Gender-based Violence programme in Slovakia

The programme agreement for the Slovakian Domestic and Gender-based violence programme was signed on 15 November 2018.

SK domestic and gender based violence signed

Key information about the programme

The programme is operated by: Government Office of the Slovak Republic

The Donor Programme Partner in this programme is: Norwegian Directorate of Health

International partner organisation: Council of Europe

Other programme partner: Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic

The programme covers the following programme areas: PA04 “Work-life Balance”, PA22 “Domestic and gender-based violence protected”

The programme’s objective is: Domestic and gender-based violence prevented and victims protected and assisted.

The programme funding amounts to EUR 9,000,000 (excluding co-financing) and is funded entirely by the Norway Grants.

Why is the programme needed?

Addressing social exclusion of vulnerable groups is a major step in the reduction of social and economic disparities across the European Economic Area.  Women and children are particularly at risk of domestic and gender-based violence and thus of social exclusion.

The programme’s objective is: domestic and gender-based violence prevented and victims protected and assisted. The programme supports victims of domestic and gender-based violence by creating conditions for effective assistance and support in their efforts to escape the violence and re-integrate into society and the labour market. The programme’s support will be open to all the regions of Slovakia. The programme puts a special focus on vulnerable groups and the Roma population. 

The programme contributes to strengthening the bilateral relations between Norway and Slovakia. The contribution of the Norwegian Directorate of Health as programme partner is very important is that regard.  

What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries?

As set out above, the aim of this programme is to provide systematic support to victims of domestic and gender-based violence. It will do this in line with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The supported projects shall contribute to the provision of quality services by public entities as well as NGOs for victims of domestic and gender-based violence, especially vulnerable groups, including children, primarily through the support to shelters and counselling services.

Measures implemented under this programme shall also address broader gender equality issues, e.g. through education and awareness-raising, institutional support and capacity development for women´s and equality organisations including NGOs, targeted measures and services for work-life balance as well as the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as Roma.

Thanks to this programme;

  • 20 awarenessraising and educational campaigns will be carried out
  • 10 institutions active in the field of gender equality will be supported 
  • 35 existing counselling centres will be supported
  • 43 shelters and counselling centres will be enhanced in terms of children needs
  • 10 specialised police teams will be created
  • 270 professional staff will be trained

How will the programme strengthen bilateral relations?

The programme will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Slovakia and Norway through donor partnership projects. These will be facilitated by carrying out, inter alia, match-making events and activities in conjunction with launching calls for proposals, as well as by encouraging donor partnership projects in call texts. 

The following cooperation activities will be carried out in this programme:

  1. Transfer of Norwegian know-how in the field of sexual assault units;
  2. Transfer of Norwegian know-how on programmes for perpetrators of violence;
  3. Bilateral exchanges focused on the provision of service to minorities;
  4. Bilateral exchanges focused on children victims of violence.

Availability of funding through open calls

The funding in this programme will be made available through the following open calls:

  • Open Call on “Understanding of gender equality increased”, supporting organisations promoting equality between women and men and a work life balance: launched on 18 July 2019, and open until 15 October 2019. More information can be found here
  • The Open call for bilateral relations for establishing and development of the partnership linked to the Small Grants Scheme is currently open. More information can be found here.
  • Open Call on intervention teams at local level on services for victims of domestic and genderbased violence, including children, is planned for October 2019.
  • Open Call on improvement of the quality of services so that they meet the required standards, including specific services for children victims is expected in October 2019
  • Open Call on specialised services targeted at vulnerable groups, as well as perpetrators of violence. This call is expected in 2020. 

Download the full programme agreement for more detailed information about the programme. 

More information can also be found on the website of the Norway Grants in Slovakia