Key information about the programme
- The programme is operated by: The Government Office of the Slovak Republic
- The Donor Programme Partner in this programme is: The Norwegian Barents Secretariat
- The International Partner Organisation in this programme is: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
- The programme's objective is:Integrity and accountability of public administration improved
- The programme funding (excluding co-financing) amounts to 8.5 million Euros and is funded through the EEA Grants only
Why is the programme needed?
The OECD defines corruption as one of the main obstacles to sustainable economic, political and social development for developing, emerging and developed economies alike. Overall, corruption reduces efficiency and increases inequality. These are some of the reasons why the EEA & Norway Grants support activities in our partner countries in the area of good governance and the rule of law, in order to help stimulate the improvement in these areas that are so crucial for social and economic development.
Fighting corruption is a challenge in many countries, including in Slovakia which ranks relatively low compared to other EU Member States on comparative country indexes measuring corruption and integrity of public administration.
Against this backdrop, the Good Governance Programme in Slovakia is closely aligned with the government’s efforts to combat corruption. The programme aims to improve the integrity and accountability of public administration by focusing on:
- Good Governance, Accountable Institutions and Transparency; and
- Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Judicial System, Strengthening Rule of Law.
As a second pillar, the programme will promote institutional cross-border cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine with a focus on improving integrity and accountability, as a continuation of the programme successfully implemented under the previous financing period (2009-2014).
In order to address the issue of corruption and improve the integrity of public administration, the programme will strengthen co-ordination of horizontal policies in the area of integrity and managing of civil service employees; strengthen the support and legal assistance for whistle-blowers; and enhance legislation related to corruption prevention and public integrity. There is also a need to conduct a thorough Integrity review to ensure that the above-mentioned priorities can be addressed in an integrated and sustainable manner.
What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries?
The Programme focuses on public administration as the main target group. Additionally, the Programme will work with the general public to support the societal change needed to improve public perceptions of corruption and the judiciary.
All the areas covered under this programme, such as the application of Value for Money principles; the rule of law; anti-corruption measures; accountability of public service; and the implementation of the Ukraine - EU association agreement require long-term application and societal changes.
Pre-defined projects with focus on integrity of public administration and public procurement will be conducted in collaboration with the International Partner Organization (OECD). The pre-defined projects will assess policies and public services, provide recommendations and deliver training to 350 civil servants in five line ministries and to 36 enforcement officers.
Furthermore, to combat Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats and strengthen institutional cross-border cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine, multiple workshops will be organised. 500 participants from Slovakia and Ukraine and 160 Slovak and 100 Ukrainian police and Security Forces specialists and 45 private sector representatives will be trained on CBRN intervention measures and identifying illicit materials. This project represents a continuation of the cooperation between the responsible Slovak, Ukrainian and Norwegian authorities (the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority).
Increased efficiency of the justice system and the protection and empowerment of victims and vulnerable groups will be enhanced: eight court premises will be refurbished in order to take account of the needs required to make them more child friendly. Additional training for judges and other court employees will be provided to improve communication skills and organizational skills such as time management and the management of judicial proceedings which will consist of six workshops for the biggest contracting authorities on MEAT (“Most Economically Advantageous Tenders”) criteria, involving 3 professional chambers and institutions.
How will the programme strengthen bilateral relations?
The programme will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Slovakia and the Donor States.
Partnerships with donor entities in projects are encouraged in open calls for proposals under the programme.
In the main pre-defined project dealing with cross-border cooperation, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority will be donor project partner.
Availability of funding through open calls
While most of the funding is allocated to pre-defined projects, funding will also be made available through open call for proposals under the Cross-border component. The first calls are expected to be launched in September 2019.
Calls for proposals are planned for:
- Call for proposal “Slovak-Ukrainian institutional cooperation enhanced” September 2019
- Small grant scheme “Slovak-Ukrainian institutional cooperation enhanced” September 2019
- Bilateral call:
- The tentative planning for the publishing of the calls is: A matchmaking seminar for Slovak and Donor State institutions will be organised in September 2019, with more information on the call for proposals, including the bilateral call.
Download the full programme agreement for more detailed information about the programme.
More information can also be found on the Programme Operator’s website and the Donor Programme Partners’ websites: The Norwegian Barents Secretariat and OECD