Ettepanek - SWD(2026) 131, COM(2026) 246

EN EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 18.5.2026

COM(2026) 246 final

2026/0123 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION

amending the Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment

of the recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia

{SWD(2026) 131 final}

EN 1 EN

2026/0123 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION

amending the Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment

of the recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of

12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility1, and in particular Article

20(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Following the submission of the national recovery and resilience plan (‘RRP’) by

Slovakia on 29 April 2021, the Commission proposed its positive assessment to the

Council. On 13 July 2021, the Council approved the positive assessment by means of

an implementing decision2 (‘the Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021’).

The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 was amended by the Council

Implementing Decisions of 14 July 20233, 13 May 20254 and 13 November 20255.

(2) On 30 April 2026, Slovakia made a reasoned request to the Commission to make a

proposal to amend the Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 in accordance

with Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 on the grounds that the RRP is

partially no longer achievable because of objective circumstances. On that basis,

Slovakia has submitted an amended RRP.

Amendments based on Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241

(3) The amendments to the RRP submitted by Slovakia because of objective

circumstances concern 41 measures.

(4) Slovakia has explained that five measures are partially no longer achievable, because

beneficiaries withdrew from contracts, interest among potential applicants lacked and

delays manifested in implementation. This concerns Investment 1 named Construction

1 OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17, ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj 2 See documents ST 10156/21 INIT, ST 10156/21 ADD 1, ST 10156/21 ADD 1 COR 1 at

http://register.consilium.europa.eu 3 See documents ST 11205/23 INIT, ST 11205/23 ADD 1, ST 11205/23 ADD 1 COR 1 at

http://register.consilium.europa.eu 4 See documents ST 8054/25 INIT and ST 8054/25 ADD 1 at http://register.consilium.europa.eu 5 See documents ST 14450/25 INIT and ST 14450/25 ADD 1 at http://register.consilium.europa.eu

EN 2 EN

of new renewable electricity sources; Investment 3 named Development of intermodal

freight transport; Investment 4 named Support for the construction of alternative

propulsion infrastructure; Investment 4 named Support for projects aiming at the

development of digital technologies and infrastructure; and Reform 3 Creation of a

database and data exchange system on the energy performance of buildings. On this

basis, Slovakia has requested that those measures be amended. The Council

Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(5) Slovakia has explained that 16 measures have been amended to implement better

alternatives in order to achieve their original ambition. This concerns Reform 1 named

Reform of the content and form of education; Investment 2 named Completion of the

school infrastructure; Reform 5 named Concentration of excellent educational and

research capacities; Investment 4 named Promoting internationalisation in the

academic environment; Investment 7 named Humanisation of institutional psychiatric

care; Investment 2 named Extension and restoration of after-care and nursing

capacities; Reform 2 named Fighting corruption and strengthening the integrity and

independence of the judiciary; Investment 1 named Better services for citizens and

businesses; Investment 2 named Digital transformation of public service delivery;

Investment 3 named Engaging in European multi-country projects related to the digital

economy; Investment 4 named Support for projects aiming at the development of

digital technologies and infrastructure; Investment 5 named Hackathons; Investment 6

named Preventive measures, speed of incident detection and resolution (ITVS –

Information technologies for public administration); Investment 7 named Digital skills

of seniors or disadvantaged people; Reform 4 named Standardisation of technical and

procedural cybersecurity solutions (ITVS – Information technologies for public

administration); and Reform 5 named Cybersecurity training and skills (ITVS –

Information technologies for public administration). On this basis, Slovakia has

requested that those measures be amended. The Council Implementing Decision of 13

July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(6) Slovakia has explained that 13 measures have been amended to implement a better

alternative that allow the administrative burden to be reduced and simplify the Council

Implementing Decision, while still achieving the objectives of those measures. This

concerns Investment 1 named Digital Infrastructure in schools; Investment 6 named

Financial instruments to support innovation; Investment 2 named Strengthening

relations with the diaspora; Investment 3 named Digitalisation in health; Investment 4

named Construction and rehabilitation of ambulance stations; Reform 1 named

Optimisation of the hospital network; Investment 3 named Building community-based

mental healthcare centres; Reform 1 named Promoting sustainable energy; Reform 4

named Management of central government buildings; Investment 1 named Increasing

energy efficiency of family houses; Investment 2 named Renovation of historical and

listed buildings; Investment 8 named Coordination capacities and communication

support; and Investment 4 named Supporting the renovation of households at risk of

energy poverty. On this basis, Slovakia has requested that those measures be amended.

The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(7) Following the decrease in the level of implementation of measures in accordance with

Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, Slovakia has requested toincrease the level

of implementation of seven measures. This concerns Investment 2 named Modernising

the existing renewable energy sources (repowering); Investment 3 named Increasing

flexibility of electricity systems for greater renewables integration; Investment 1

named The development of low-carbon infrastructure; Investment 2 named New

EN 3 EN

hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment; Investment 4 named

Streamlining, optimizing and strengthening administrative capacity at different levels

of government; Investment 2 named Digital transformation of public service delivery;

and Investment 3 on Renovation of public historical and listed buildings. On this basis,

Slovakia has requested that the level of implementation of eight measures be

increased. The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended

accordingly.

Distribution of milestones and targets

(8) The distribution of milestones and targets in instalments should be amended to take

into account the amendments to the RRP and the indicative timeline presented by

Slovakia.

Corrections of clerical errors

(9) One clerical error has been identified in recital 25 of the Council Implementing

Decision of 13 November 20256. This clerical error relates to the updated maximum

financial contribution available for Slovakia. Recital 25 of the Council Implementing

Decision of 13 November 2025 states that EUR 6 407 240 019 is allocated for

Slovakia, but EUR 6 408 465 019 is allocated for Slovakia. This correction does not

affect the assessment or the implementation of the RRP.

Commission’s assessment

(10) The Commission has assessed the amended RRP against the assessment criteria laid

down in Article 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241.

Contribution to the green transition including biodiversity

(11) In accordance with Article 19(3), point (e), of, and criterion 2.5 of Annex V to,

Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the amended RRP contains measures that contribute to a

large extent (rating A) to the green transition, including biodiversity, or to addressing

the challenges resulting therefrom. The measures supporting climate objectives

account for an amount which represents 40.0% of the amended RRP’s total allocation

and 81.7% of the total estimated costs of measures in the REPowerEU chapter

calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex VI to Regulation

(EU) 2021/241. In accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the

amended RRP is consistent with the information included in the National Energy and

Climate Plan 2021-2030.

(12) The amendment of the RRP does not materially impact its ambition towards the green

transition despite a decrease of 0.19 percentage points in the share of the total

allocation to measures supporting climate objectives. This decrease mainly results

from the decrease in the level of implementation of investment 1 named Construction

of new renewable electricity sources under Component 1of the climate tag from

investment 2 named Completion of school infrastructure under Component 7. The

amended RRP still significantly supports green transition objectives, the enhancement

of biodiversity, and environmental protection. In particular, the REPowerEU chapter

continues to support the green transition, as its reforms and investments contribute to

reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, reduce energy demand and increase energy

efficiency.

6 See documents ST 14450/25 INIT and ST 14450/25 ADD 1 at http://register.consilium.europa.eu

EN 4 EN

Contribution to the digital transition

(13) In accordance with Article 19(3), point (f), of, and criterion 2.6 of Annex V to,

Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the amended RRP contains measures that contribute to a

large extent (rating A) to the digital transition or to addressing the challenges resulting

from it. The measures supporting digital objectives account for an amount which

represents 21.2% of the amended RRP’s total allocation calculated in accordance with

the methodology set out in Annex VII to that Regulation.

(14) The amendment of the RRP does not materially impact ambition towards the digital

transition despite a decrease of 0.57 percentage points in the share of the total

allocation to measures supporting digital objectives. This decrease mainly results from

the decrease in the amount of costs which are tagged digitally and related to

investment 2 named Digital transformation of public service delivery and investment 3

named Engaging in European multi-country projects related to the digital economy

under Component 17.

Costing

(15) In accordance with Article 19(3), point (i), of, and criterion 2.9 of Annex V to,

Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the justification provided in the amended RRP on the

amount of the estimated total cost of the RRP is to a medium extent (rating B)

reasonable and plausible, is in line with the principle of cost efficiency and is

commensurate to the expected national economic and social impact.

(16) The outcome of the costing assessment in the Council Implementing Decision of

13 July 2021 therefore remains unchanged. Slovakia’s justification on the amount of

the estimates of total costs of the RRP were reasonable and plausible to a medium

extent, in line with the principle of cost efficiency, and was commensurate with the

expected national and economic impact. For a limited number of measures, cost

benchmarks were less clear, based on little comparable information. Demarcation with

other financing sources for projects was also not always clearly indicated, but

safeguards were put in place to prevent double funding.

(17) The assessment of the cost estimates for the amended measures shows that most of the

costs are reasonable and plausible, according to the information provided. For some

amended measures, information on the reasonability and plausibility of cost estimates

is limited or missing. This precludes an A rating under the given assessment criterion.

Changes in the cost estimates for amended measures were justified and proportional

where possible and as such the reasonability and plausibility of these cost estimates

were not altered compared to the original RRP. Details on the methodology and the

assumptions used to make the cost estimates were justified and proportional

throughout most of the amended RRP. Finally, the amount of the estimated total cost

of the RRP is in line with the principle of cost efficiency and commensurate to the

expected national economic and social impact.

Any other assessment criteria

(18) The Commission considers that the amendments put forward by Slovakia do not affect

the positive assessment of the RRP set out in the Council Implementing Decision

ST 10156/21 of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the RRP for

Slovakia regarding the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the RRP

against the assessment criteria laid down in Article 19(3), points (a), (b), (c), (d), (da),

(db), (g), (h), (j) and (k).

EN 5 EN

Measures supporting investment operations contributing to the objectives of the Strategic

Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

(19) In accordance with Article 4(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/795, Slovakia considered as

a matter of priority projects that have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal pursuant to

Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/795. However, Slovakia considered that no

project having been awarded a Sovereignty Seal was to be included in the amended

RRP because of insufficient time to complete such projects before the end date of the

RRF.

Positive assessment

(20) Following the positive assessment by the Commission of the amended RRP, with the

finding that the RRP satisfactorily complies with the criteria for assessment set out in

Regulation (EU) 2021/241, in accordance with Article 20(2) of and Annex V to that

Regulation, the reforms and investment projects necessary for the implementation of

the amended RRP, the relevant milestones, targets and indicators, and the amount

made available from the Union for the implementation of the amended RRP should be

set out.

Financial contribution

(21) The estimated total costs of Slovakia’s amended RRP is EUR 6 408 465 020. As the

amount of the estimated total cost of the amended RRP is higher than the updated

maximum financial contribution available for Slovakia, the financial contribution

determined in accordance with Article 4a of Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 of the

European Parliament and of the Council7, and with Article 20(4) and Article 21a(6) of

Regulation (EU) 2021/241 that is allocated for Slovakia’s amended RRP should be

equal to EUR 6 408 465 019. Therefore, the financial contribution made available to

Slovakia remains unchanged.

(22) The amount of the financial contribution for Slovakia should be determined in this

decision in accordance with Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241. However,

pursuant to Commission Implementing Decision of 8 May 2025 on the reduction of

the amount of the fifth instalment of the non-repayable support for Slovakia,

adopted in accordance with Article 24(8) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the financial

contribution has been reduced by EUR 1 225 000 and Slovakia cannot request its

disbursement from the Commission.

(23) The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should therefore be amended

accordingly. For the sake of clarity, the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision

of 13 July 2021 should be replaced entirely.

(24) This Decision should be without prejudice to the outcome of any procedures relating

to the award of Union funds under any Union programme other than the Facility or to

procedures relating to distortions of the operation of the internal market that may be

undertaken, in particular under Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty. It does not override

the requirement for Member States to notify instances of potential State aid to the

Commission under Article 108 of the Treaty,

7 Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 2021

establishing the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (OJ L 357, 8.10.2021, p. 1,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1755/oj).

EN 6 EN

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Approval of the assessment of the RRP

The assessment of the amended RRP for Slovakia on the basis of the criteria provided for in

Article 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 is approved.

Article 2

Amendments

The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the

recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia is amended as follows:

the Annex is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 3

Addressee

This Decision is addressed to the Slovak Republic.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

EN EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 18.5.2026

COM(2026) 246 final

ANNEX

ANNEX

to the

Proposal for a COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION

amending the Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment

of the recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia

{SWD(2026) 131 final}

2

ANNEX

SECTION 1: REFORMS AND INVESTMENTS UNDER THE RECOVERY AND

RESILIENCE PLAN

1. Description of Reforms and Investments

COMPONENT 1: Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure The purpose of the ‘renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure’ component of the Slovak

recovery and resilience plan is to contribute directly to attaining the 2030 climate change targets.

According to the Slovak National Energy and Climate Plan, achieving the climate objectives shall require

a significant shift towards renewable energy sources in the Slovak energy mix.

In this context, this component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan aims at supporting faster rollout

of renewable investments. In view of this goal, the reforms shall modernise the Slovak electricity market

and create an appropriate legislative environment. The law amendments shall particularly improve the

access for new market participants, increase certainty and confidence in the state support measures and

improve integration of renewables to the Slovak electricity grid. The investment support shall be

channelled to increasing the capacities of new renewable sources as well as to the repowering of existing

renewable installations, including modernisation of biogas, transformation of biogas electricity

generation facilities to biomethane plants, and hydropower-stations. The investments into increasing

flexibility of the electricity grid shall include support to new battery storages, including hydrogen-based

solutions, as well as to increasing the electricity balancing capacity of hydropower installations.

The component includes two reforms and three investments.

These measures contribute to the green transition and climate neutrality objective, as well as to meeting

Slovakia’s National Energy and Climate Plan commitments. The component strengthens the strategic

autonomy and security of Slovakia through increasing the share of domestic energy sources, as imports

from third countries account for a significant part of its consumption. The investments shall add to the

job creation at local level, including for SME sector.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The investments and reforms shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendation

conveyed to Slovakia in 2020, on the need to “focus investment on the green digital transitions, in

particular on clean and efficient production and use of energy and resources” (Country Specific

Recommendation 3/2020).

3

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: Adapting of the electricity legal framework

The purpose of the reform is to improve the legal framework of the Slovak electricity market by

amending Act 251/2012 Coll. on energy and Act 250/2012 Coll. on regulation in network industries in

accordance with the requirements of Directive 2019/944. Furthermore, the adapted legal structure shall

facilitate the new activities and access of participants to the electricity market (energy communities,

aggregator, self-consumer, electricity storage), while increasing overall flexibility of electricity system

and improving the possibilities for connecting of new renewables to the Slovak grid.

This reform also foresees (under Milestone 2) a measure aiming at releasing the technical capacities for

electricity transmission within the domestic electricity system, facilitated through the increase in capacity

of the electricity interconnection profile between Slovakia and Hungary.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

Reform 2: The legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources

The purpose of the reform is to promote the roll-out of new renewable energy sources. The new law

amendments shall create efficient support mechanisms for increasing the share of renewables in transport,

electricity and heating sector. The legal framework shall be modified by amending the Acts 309/2009

Coll. on promotion of renewable energy sources and high-efficiency cogeneration and the Act 657/2004

Coll. on thermal energy.

The reform shall also include the adoption of a long-term auctioning plan for new renewable sources.

This measure shall contribute to better predictability of the overall installed renewable capacity, creating

more favourable investment environment for private investors.

Furthermore, the reform shall incorporate the adoption of investment schemes for support of the

renewable electricity sources. The Ministry of Economy shall adopt an auction scheme for new

renewable energy sources (link to Investment 1, Component 1) and support schemes for investments on

repowering (link to Investment 2, Component 1) and increasing flexibility of the electricity system (link

to Investment 3, Component 1). The investment policies of the schemes shall strictly adhere to both EU

and national environmental legislation as well as to the Do-Not-Significant-Harm Technical Guidance

(2021/C58/01) of supported activities and companies. Only investments into hydropower that are in line

with the EU acquis shall be supported by the Slovak recovery and resilience plan.

The implementation of reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

4

Investment 1: Construction of new renewable electricity sources

The objective of this measure is to support the roll out of investments into new renewable sources of

electricity. This measure follows upon the creation of a support scheme under the reform 2.

This measure consists in the delivery of new generating capacity induced by new renewable energy

sources connected to the grid.

Investment 2: Modernising the existing renewable energy sources (repowering)

The objective of this measure is to extend the technological lifetime, upgrade and increase the efficiency

of existing renewable energy source capacities (repowering). This measure follows upon the creation of

a support scheme under the reform 2.

This measure consists of refurbishing biogas stations, transforming biogas-based electricity generation

facilities into biomethane plants, and hydropower generation facilities.

Investment 3: Increasing the flexibility of electricity systems for greater integration of renewables

The objective of this measure is to increase the flexibility of the Slovak electricity network. This measure

follows upon the creation of a support scheme under the reform 2.

This measure consists of supporting electricity storage facilities or increasing the electricity balancing

capacity in hydropower plants.

5

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 1 – Renewable

energy sources

and energy

infrastructure –

Reform 1:

Adapting the

electricity legal

framework

Milestone Reform of

electricity

market

Entry into force of

legislative

amendments to the

Act on energy and

Act on regulation in

network industries

Q4 2022 The legal framework shall be

modified by amending Act

251/2012 Coll. on energy and

Act 250/2012 Coll. on

regulation in network

industries to transpose the

Directive 2019/944.

Furthermore, the updated

legal framework shall

facilitate the new activities

and access of participants to

the electricity market (energy

communities, aggregator,

self-consumer, electricity

storage), while increasing

overall flexibility of the

electricity system and

improving the possibilities for

connecting of new renewable

sources to the Slovak grid. 2 1 – Renewable

energy sources

and energy

infrastructure –

Reform 1:

Adapting the

electricity legal

framework

Milestone Release of

restrictions on

technical

capacities for

electricity

transmission

within the

Slovak

Joint public

declaration by the

Ministry of

Economy and the

Slovak transmission

system operator

Slovenská

elektrizačná

Q2 2021 The Slovak Ministry of

Economy and the Slovak

electricity transmission

system operator Slovenská

elektrizačná prenosová

sústava, a.s. shall declare the

release of restrictions on

technical capacities for

electricity transmission within

6

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

electricity

system prenosová sústava,

a.s.

the Slovak electricity system

and an increase of capacity

for connecting renewable

sources to the grid. The

measure shall be facilitated

through the increase in net

transfer capacity of

transmission interconnections

with the Republic of

Hungary. 3 1 – Renewable

energy sources

and energy

infrastructure –

Reform 2: The

legal framework

for promotion of

renewable

energy sources

Milestone Framework for

supporting the

investments

into new

renewable

sources

Entry into force of

legislative

amendments to the

Act on the

promotion of

renewable energy

sources and high-

efficiency

cogeneration and to

the Act on thermal

energy.

Adoption of a long-

term auctioning plan

by the Ministry of

Economy Adoption of

investment schemes

by the Ministry of

Economy for the

Q4 2022 The legislative amendments

shall create support

mechanisms for increasing

the share of renewable energy

sources in transport,

electricity and heating sector.

The legal framework shall be

modified by amending the

Acts 309/2009 Coll. on

promotion of renewable

energy sources and high-

efficiency cogeneration and

the Act 657/2004 Coll. on

thermal energy. The Ministry of Economy

shall adopt a long-

term auctioning plan for new

renewable sources,

contributing to better

predictability of the increase

7

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

promotion of new

sources of electricity

from renewable

energy sources

(defined in

Investment 1),

investments to

repowering (defined

in Investment 2) and

investments

increasing flexibility

of the electricity

system (defined in

Investment 3)

in capacity of new

renewable capacity.

The Ministry of Economy

shall adopt the new auction

scheme for new sources of

electricity from renewable

energy sources (defined in

Investment 1), the support

schemes to investments on

repowering (defined in

Investment 2) and increasing

flexibility of the electricity

system (defined in Investment

3). The schemes shall detail

the eligibility criteria for

supported companies,

ensuring compliance with the

EU and national

environmental acquis as well

as the DNSH Technical

Guidance (2021/C58/01) of

supported activities and/or

companies, while increasing

the new RES capacities as

detailed in corresponding

targets (for Investments 1, 2

and 3). The biomass projects

shall result in upgrades of

biogas stations achieving at

least 80% GHG emissions

8

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

savings in relation to the

greenhouse gas saving

methodology and comparator

set in Annex VI to Directive

(EU) 2018/2001, in line with

the conditions resulting from

Commission Delegated

Regulation (EU) 2021/2139.

In the event of transformation

into installations producing

biomethane, greenhouse gas

emission savings shall

amount to at least 70% in

relation to the greenhouse gas

saving methodology and

fossil fuel comparator set out

in Annex VI to that Directive.

Biomass and biomethane

projects shall be sustainable

in line with the Renewable

Energy Directive

2018/2001/EU (REDII) Only investments into hydro-

power that are in line with the

EU acquis shall be supported. 4 1 – Renewable

energy sources

and energy

infrastructure –

Target New

renewable

energy source

capacity

MW 0 95 Q2 2026 At least 95 MW in new

renewable electricity sources

capacity shall be connected to

the grid under the measure’s

9

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Investment 1:

Construction of

new renewable

electricity

sources

support scheme. A copy of

the functional test of the new

electricity source (indicating

installed capacity in MW and

type of the renewable energy

source) and of the distribution

system connection agreement

shall be delivered.

The support scheme shall take

the form of auctions for

investment support for new

sources of electricity from

renewable energy sources (as

delivered under Reform 2),

except for hydropower.

5 1 – Renewable

energy sources

and energy

infrastructure –

Investment 2:

Modernising the

existing

renewable

energy sources

(repowering)

Target Modernising

renewable

energy source

capacity

MW 0 80 Q2 2026 At least 80 MW of

modernised capacity

(repowering) for renewable

electricity generation or

biomethane production shall

be connected to the grids.

6 1 – Renewable

energy sources

and energy

infrastructure –

Investment 3:

Target Cumulative

increase in

capacity of

installations

increasing the

MW 0 121.8 Q2 2026 Installations supported by the

scheme (as delivered under

Reform 2) shall enter into

operation, resulting in at least

10

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Increasing

flexibility of

electricity

systems for

greater

renewables

integration

flexibility of

energy systems a 121.8 MW increase of

electricity storage capacities.

Supported technologies shall

include new battery systems

or electrolysis, or an increase

in the balancing capacity of

the hydropower plants.

Investment support into the

balancing capacity of the

hydropower plants shall not

exceed EUR 12 000 000

under the measure.

11

COMPONENT 2: Renovation of buildings

According to the Slovak National Energy and Climate Plan and the Long-term renovation Strategy

for Buildings, reaching the 2030 and 2050 EU emission reduction objectives requires a significant

shift from the implementation of partial to medium (30-60% primary energy savings) and deep (over

60%) renovation of buildings.

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan aims at reduction of energy consumption

by pursuing a comprehensive renovation of family houses, public historic and listed buildings. It

combines measures to improve energy performance of buildings by achieving at least 30% of primary

energy savings with measures to foster climate adaptation (such as installing green roofs, water

retention system). The component contributes to the climate and environmental objectives, while

boosting the recovery and competitiveness of the construction sector by creating more jobs, in

particular for SMEs at local level.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives

within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of

the measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with

the DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The component includes 3 reforms and 2 investments.

These investments and reforms shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendations

addressed to Slovakia in the past two years, on the need to “focus investment-related policy on energy

efficiency” (Country Specific Recommendation 3/2019) and to “focus investment on the green

transition” (Country Specific Recommendation 3/2020).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: The harmonisation of support mechanisms for the renovation of family houses.

The objective of the reform is to map, align and bring together different support schemes, to uniform

and streamline the renovation process, and to provide incentives to owners for implementing a wider

range of renovation measures. Design of the support schemes, criteria and conditions as well as

implementation steps shall be outlined in the implementation plan to be published by Slovak

Environmental Agency by 30 September 2022. To ensure effective and timely implementation,

capacities of the Slovak Environmental Agency shall be strengthened. In the implementation phase,

house owners shall be reached out to through a communication campaign and to-be-established

regional offices as well as by providing a technical assistance and consultation.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 September 2022.

Investment 1: Increasing energy efficiency of family houses.

The objective of this measure is to increase the energy efficiency of family houses. This measure

consists in the renovation of houses selected under a call supporting single family houses renovation,

which achieve, on average, at least 30% primary energy savings.

12

Reform 2: Increasing transparency and streamlining decisions of the Monuments Board of the

Slovak Republic.

The reform aims at improving quality and efficiency of the decision-making process of the

Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic by developing three methodologies to:

• classify the monuments endowment,

• set objective criteria by which Monuments Board makes decisions and

• quantify the costs associated with the interventions of the Monuments Board

In addition, the objective is to reform the mapping of state-owned monuments by assessing their basic

technical aspects, construction, economic, energy-related and other aspects. The mapping shall result

in adopting a diagnostics of at least 1 000 relevant state-owned monuments. The reform shall facilitate

investment decisions on renovation with a view to preserving the monumental value as well as

improving energy efficiency, where applicable.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2023.

Investment 2: Renovation of historical and listed public buildings.

The objective of this measure is to increase the energy efficiency and structural integrity of historic

and listed public buildings while preserving their historical and cultural heritage and making them

more accessible. This measure consists in the renovation of buildings selected under the call or direct

call supporting historical and listed public buildings, while achieving, on average, at least 30% of

primary energy savings.

Reform 3: The management of construction and demolition waste.

The reform addresses the very low recycling rate of Slovakia and is centred on the revision of waste

management legislation to increase the potential of the circular economy in the construction and

demolition waste. The Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic shall table the waste

legislation amendment, which shall require that at least 70% of non-hazardous construction and

demolition waste generated on construction is prepared for re-use or sent for recycling. In addition,

the reform shall introduce a mandatory selective demolition, quality standards for recycling from

construction and demolition waste, mandatory green public procurement for the contracting of

construction works, simplify the rules and improve data collection systems for construction waste.

Once in force, the legislation shall ensure “do-no-significant harm” compliance with the requirement

of the 70% recycling and reusing of non- hazardous demolition and construction waste to apply to

renovation and construction of buildings financed under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 June 2022.

13

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support.

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets) Indicative timeline

for completion Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 2 –

Renovation of

buildings –

Reform 1:

The

harmonisation

of support

mechanisms

for the

renovation of

family houses

Milestone Implementation

plan to

mobilize green

renovation of

family houses

Adoption of the

implementation

plan by the

Ministry of

Environment

Q3 2022 The implementation plan shall map

different support schemes and

harmonise them. It shall detail

preparation for the start-up of the

scheme, timetable and its administration

as well as the monitoring of the

reconstruction and verification of

energy savings primarily by energy

performance certificates, or other

corresponding documents.

2 2 –

Renovation of

buildings –

Investment 1:

Increasing the

energy

efficiency of

family houses

Milestone Launch of the

support

schemes to

mobilise energy

savings and

green

renovation

Launch of the

support

schemes to

mobilise energy

savings and

green

renovation

Q3 2022 The schemes to mobilise energy savings

and green renovation shall be designed

and launched in line with the measures

and schedule adopted by

implementation plan. Respective calls

shall be published by the Slovak

Environmental Agency at a website.

The schemes shall be designed to

incentivize on an average at least 30%

primary energy savings and comply

with “Do no significant harm”

Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01)

requirements.

A list of possible measures includes:

insulation, replacement of windows,

restoration of roof, rainwater retention,

boiler replacement or removal of

asbestos cover, or other measures in line

with description of the investment.

14

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets) Indicative timeline

for completion Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

4 2 –

Renovation of

buildings –

Investment 1:

Increasing the

energy

efficiency of

family houses

Target Number of

renovated

family houses

achieving, on

average, at least

30% primary

energy savings

Number 0 25 164

Q2 2026 25 164 houses shall be renovated,

selected under the call supporting single

family houses renovation. The

renovated buildings shall achieve on

average at least 30% primary energy

savings.

The calls shall ensure that gas boiler

replacements are compliant with the

DNSH requirements and account for

maximum 20% of the overall renovation

programmes.

In case biomass boilers are included in

the renovation scheme, the replacement

of obsolete coal/oil/biomass/gas boilers

by biomass boilers shall be allowed, if

replaced by high-efficiency biomass

boilers in one of the two highest energy

efficiency classes under the energy

labelling regulation fuelled by pellets.

The calls shall not allow the

replacement of gas boilers by biomass

boilers in Air Quality zones with

exceedance of PM10 limit values.

5 2.

Renovation of

buildings –

Reform 2:

Increasing

transparency

and

streamlining

decisions of

the

Milestone Methodologies

for the

decision-

making process

of the

Monuments

Board of the

Slovak

Republic

Publication of

methodologies

by the

Monuments

Board

3 Q4 2023 Development and adoption of the three

methodologies to classify monument

buildings in order to increase the

transparency, public acceptance and

speed up the decision-making processes

of the Monuments Board of the Slovak

Republic. Based on standardised

methodologies, diagnostics of at least

1 000 state-owned monuments shall be

adopted by the Monuments Board to

15

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets) Indicative timeline

for completion Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Monuments

Board of the

Slovak

Republic

provide diagnostics of the basic

technical aspects, construction,

economic, energy-related and other

aspects of the relevant state-owned

monuments to facilitate renovation

decisions.

7 2-

Renovation of

buildings –

Investment 2:

Renovation of

public

historical and

listed

buildings

Target Floor area of

renovated

public

historical and

listed buildings

achieving, on

average, at least

30% of primary

energy savings

Area

(m2)

0

99 348 Q2 2026 At least 99 348 m2 of buildings shall be

renovated, selected under the open call

or direct call supporting historic and

listed public buildings. The call shall

define conditions to achieve on average

at least 30% primary energy savings,

comply with DNSH principles and shall

allow the execution of other

complementary measures (e.g.

rainwater retention, removal of

asbestos, accessibility of buildings).

Where boiler replacement is supported

under the call, it shall account for

maximum 20% of the overall renovation

programme.

8 2 –

Renovation of

building –

Reform 3:

The

management

of

construction

and

demolition

waste

Milestone The

amendment to

the Waste Act

Entry into force

of the

legislative

amendment to

the Waste Act

0 1 Q2 2022 The revised waste legislation by the

Ministry of Environment shall increase

the potential of the circular economy in

the construction and demolition waste

and construction sector, leading to at

least 70% of the non-hazardous

construction and demolition waste to be

recycled and reused. It shall include

mandatory green public procurement

for construction investments within the

state administration, increase the

statutory fees for the landfilling and

16

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets) Indicative timeline

for completion Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

simplify the rules for the use of

construction and demolition waste.

17

COMPONENT 3: Sustainable transport

The component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan aims at increasing the share of

environmentally friendly forms of transport, through measures and smart solutions based on data

analysis, to increase the number of passengers travelling by rail and public passenger transport, the

volume of goods transported in environmentally friendly intermodal transport, as well as to support

the development of alternative propulsion infrastructure, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in transport

and improving air quality. Smart and digital investments shall support faster, more reliable and more

efficient rail and clean public passenger transport, motivating passengers to switch from cars and

other carbon-based means of transport. The component shall allow a wider use of alternative

propulsions for sustainable, environmentally friendly, affordable and smart transport, while also

promoting the use of smart grids. It shall contribute to the competitiveness of the economy by creating

market conditions for the suppliers of transport machinery.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives

within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of

the measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with

the DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

Reforms and investment under the component address directly the Council Recommendation on the

2020 National Reform Programme of Slovakia and the Council opinion on the 2020 Stability

Programme of Slovakia, according to which Slovakia "shall implement ready public investment

projects as soon as possible and support private sector investment to support economic recovery.

Focus investment on the green and digital transitions, in particular on clean and efficient production

and use of energy and resources, sustainable public transport and waste management.” The

component includes four reforms and four investments.

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1 on the preparation of transport investment projects.

The reform aims at improving the management of investments and increasing their economic benefits.

This shall be achieved through the following measures:

• the establishment by 30 June 2021 of an investment plan for railway infrastructure projects

prioritising projects according to their value for money; • amendments, by 31 March 2023 to the Railways Act and related legislation simplifying and

streamlining the legislative and technical requirements for transport infrastructure parameters;

• the publication by 31 December 2021 of a methodology determining how to identify projects

with the highest value for money possible and contribute to the objective of passenger modal

shift from individual road transport to cycling.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2023.

18

Reform 2 on public passenger transport.

The reform aims at improving the provision of passenger transport. A new transport service plan,

followed by the optimisation of rail passenger transport, shall form a major part of the comprehensive

reform of public transport. The reform shall be supported by new legislation defining rules,

responsibilities and obligations in the coordination, ordering and financing of regional bus and train

services. The legislation shall define a national authority to coordinate, in cooperation with regional

integrators, the creation of a national integrated transport system with a unified fare, as well as to

coordinate the preparation and implementation of public procurement procedures for both public

passenger rail services and vehicles purchased with the support of EU funds for the operation of these

routes in previous periods. The frequency of rail transport on the lines with the highest potential for

transferring traffic from cars to trains shall be increased, allowing for better coordination of regional

public bus and train services. The following specific measures shall underpin this reform:

• By 31 March 2023 a new law shall create public passenger transport standards and streamline

the public service order, which is currently fragmented and insufficiently coordinated between

the State, counties, cities and municipalities. • By 31 December 2023 optimised rail transport graphics shall be published;

Reform 3 on intermodal freight transport.

The reform shall support increased inter-modality through procurement, the coordination of logistics

and promoting the launch of new intermodal routes. The objective of this reform is to shift 30 % of

road transport over 300 km to rail or waterborne by 2030 and over 50 % to 2050 (compared to 2005).

It shall do so notably by promoting the interest of carriers in shifting road freight to rail/intermodal

transport, as well as preventing further modal shift of rail transport. The preparation and approval of

a Concept of intermodal transport development, including the proposal for necessary legislative

changes, shall make it possible to adopt measures for the systemic development of environmentally

friendly freight transport modes. Support shall be aimed at removing technical problems in the

transition to intermodal transport and making it more attractive.

The implementation of the reform is expected to start by 31 December 2021 and shall be completed

by 31 December 2022.

Reform 4 on the introduction of new policies for the long-term promotion of alternative fuels

in the transport sector.

The reform shall be supported through the entry into force, by 31 December 2022 of new legislative

measures shall reform distribution tariffs, simplify and accelerate the process of constructing

alternative propulsion infrastructure. They shall also introduce a ‘Recharging Point Rights’ and a

stable, predictable multi-annual framework to support the construction of relevant alternative

propulsion infrastructure.

Investment 1 on the development of low-carbon transport infrastructure.

The objective of this investment is to promote the use of clean transport infrastructure. This

investment consists of electrification of railway lines, upgrading railway lines, installation

dispatching/digital security and communication devices, construction or modernising tram and

trolleybus lines, and constructing cycling infrastructure.

19

Investment 2 promoting clean passenger transport.

The objective of this investment is to promote the deployment of clean passenger transport. The

investment consists of delivery of new or upgraded rail and tram rolling stocks.

Investment 3 on the development of intermodal freight transport.

The objective of this investment is to increase the volume of transport in more environmentally

friendly intermodal transport. The investment consists of support for the purchase of intermodal

transport units and loading facilities involving private capital and the launch of new intermodal routes

on selected routes.

Investment 4 on the support for the construction of alternative propulsion infrastructure.

The objective of this investment focuses on the installation of recharging points for electric cars. This

investment consists of a financial mechanism of aid schemes for the construction of recharging points

infrastructure for zero and low-emission vehicles.

20

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion Description and clear definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 3– Sustainable

Transport –

Reform 1:

Reform of the

preparation of

transport

investment

projects

Milestone Investment

plan for

railway

infrastructure

projects

Publication of

the

implementation

plan

Q2 2021 The Ministry of Transport and

Construction, in cooperation with the

Ministry of Finance, shall prepare and

publish an investment plan for railway

infrastructure projects containing the

methodology, priorities and timetable for

the construction of the infrastructure. A

published investment plan for railway

infrastructure projects prioritising projects

according to their value for money shall

ensure the long-term stability of their

preparation and implementation of railway

infrastructure projects.

2 3 –

Sustainable

Transport –

Reform 1:

Reform of the

preparation of

transport

investment

projects

Milestone Methodology

for selecting,

preparing and

implementing

projects for

cycling

Publication of

the

methodology

Q4 2021 The methodology shall determine how to

identify projects with the highest value for

money possible and contribute to the

objective of passenger modal shift from

individual road transport to cycling.

3 3 –

Sustainable

Transport –

Milestone The

amendment to

the Railways

Entry into force

of an

amendment to

Q1 2023 The legislative amendments shall simplify

and streamline the legislative and technical

requirements for transport infrastructure

21

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion Description and clear definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Reform 1:

Reform of the

preparation of

transport

investment

projects

Act and related

legislation on

transport

infrastructure

parameters

the Railway Act

by the National

Council of the

Slovak

Republic and

adoption of an

amendment to

the Decree No.

350/2010 Coll.

on the

construction

and technical

order of railway

lines by the

Ministry of

Transport and

Construction

and entry into

force of the

legislation

parameters, in line with good practice in

other EU countries and European

legislation, which shall create conditions to

accelerate the pace of preparation of

railway infrastructure upgrades, reduce the

cost per kilometre of modernised line and

enable faster and safer railways to be built

earlier.

4 3 –

Sustainable

Transport –

Reform 2:

Public

passenger

transport

reform

Milestone New law on

public

passenger

transport

Entry into force

of the Act on

Public

Passenger

Transport by

the National

Council of the

Slovak

Republic and

entry into force

of legislation to

effectively

coordinate,

Q1 2023 The law shall standardise public passenger

transport standards and to streamline the

public service order, which is currently

fragmented and insufficiently coordinated

between the State, counties, cities and

municipalities.

22

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion Description and clear definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

integrate and

manage public

transport

5 3 –

Sustainable

Transport –

Reform 2:

Public

passenger

transport

reform

Milestone Implementa-

tion of

optimised rail

transport

timetable

Entry into force

of an optimised

rail transport

timetable

Q4 2023 The Ministry of Transport and

Construction shall implement the ordering

of rail passenger transport services

according to the finalised Transport

Service plan by 31 December 2023.

6 3– Sustainable

Transport –

Reform 2:

Public

passenger

transport

reform

Target Number of

self-governing

regions in

which tariff

integration is

in place

allowing for

travelling by

multiple

modes of

public

transport or by

carriers per

ticket

Number 1 6 Q2 2026 An integrated transport system shall be

created and operating in at least 6 self-

governing regions, allowing for multi-

modal public passenger transport to travel

on a single ticket.

The quantitative indicator refers to the

number of self-governing regions in which

an integrated transport system is created,

allowing multi-modal public passenger

transport to travel on a single ticket.

7 3 –

Sustainable

transport –

Investment 1:

Development

of low-carbon

Target Length of new

cycling

infrastructure

(km)

Length

(km)

0 161,8 Q2 2026 Construction of 161,8 kilometres of newly

installed cycling infrastructure. The calls

shall include as eligible projects cycling

paths and bicycle parking spaces.

23

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion Description and clear definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

transport

infrastructure

8 3 –

Sustainable

transport –

Investment 1:

Development

of low-carbon

transport

infrastructure

Target Length of

public

transport

infrastructure

reconstructed

or upgraded

Length

(weighted

km)

0 51,45 Q2 2026 Reconstruction or upgrade of at least 51,45

weighted km of public transport

infrastructure.

Investment shall include one or more of

the following project types: one or two

track reconstructed line (renewal of track

substructure/track foundation or traction

line/equipment) (weight factor 0.5); single

track newly electrified and partially

upgraded railway line (weight factor 0.7);

fully upgraded double track tram line

including accessories (weight factor 1.9);

one-way single track newly built

trolleybus line including the power supply

(weight factor 0.2).

9 3 –

Sustainable

transport –

Investment 1:

Development

of low-carbon

transport

infrastructure

Target Length of

sections of

railway lines

digitally

secured

Length

(weighted

km)

0 82 Q2 2026

Installation of dispatching/digital security

and communication devices projects on at

least 82 weighted km of railway lines.

Investment shall include one or more of

the following project types: newly

dispatched railway line/section (weight

factor 1); railway line/section with new

digital security devices (weight factor 0.7);

improvement of parameters on already

dispatched track (e.g. by increasing the

number of track divisions to improve

traffic flow) (weight factor 0.3); building a

GSM-R communication system to increase

24

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion Description and clear definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

traffic safety on railway lines (weight

factor 0.1).

10 3 –

Sustainable

transport –

Investment 2:

Promoting

clean

passenger

transport

Target Number of

clean

passenger

rolling stock

delivered

(weighted)

Number 0 12 Q2 2026 Delivery for 12 weighted units of new

rolling stock.

The rolling stock shall include the

following types of rolling stock: standard

closed electric train units (weight factor

1,0), high-capacity closed electric train

units (weight factor 3,0), trams (weight

factor 0,3).

11 3- Sustainable

transport -

reform 3:

Intermodal

freight

transport

reform

Milestone Concept and

calls for new

support

schemes

Launch of calls

for new support

schemes on the

basis of concept

of intermodal

transport

development

Q4 2022 A Concept of intermodal transport

development shall be approved by the

Slovak Government by 31 December of

2021 This shall include proposals for the

legislative changes necessary to adopt

measures for the systemic development of

environmentally friendly freight transport

modes. Support shall be aimed at removing

technical problems in the transition to

intermodal transport and making it more

attractive. On that basis by 31 December

2022 calls for new support schemes shall be

launched that shall help to improve the

availability of intermodal transport on a

non-discriminatory basis, paving the way

for its development in all regions of

Slovakia. The call shall be approved by the

Ministry of Transport and Construction.

25

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion Description and clear definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

12 3 –

Sustainable

transport –

Investment 3:

Development

of intermodal

freight

transport

Milestone Number of

intermodal

transport units

procured in

Twenty-foot

Equivalent

Units

Purchase

contracts for

intermodal

transport units

Q2 2026 Procurement of at least 650 of intermodal

transport units (handling semi-trailers,

swap bodies, containers). Intermodal

transport units shall be expressed in TEU

(Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit).

13 3– Sustainable

Transport –

Reform 4:

Introduction

of new

policies for the

long-term

promotion of

alternative

fuels in the

transport

sector

Milestone a new package

of measures to

promote

alternative

propulsions

Entry into force

of resolution to

promote

alternative

propulsions

Q4 2022 The measures shall speed up the

development of alternative propulsions in

transport. These shall include a reform of

distribution tariffs, measures to simplify

and accelerate the process of constructing

alternative propulsion infrastructure, the

introduction of a ‘Recharging Point

Rights’ and the introduction of a stable,

predictable multi-annual framework to

support the construction of relevant

alternative propulsion infrastructure.

14 3 –

Sustainable

transport –

Investment 4:

Supporting the

development

of

infrastructure

for alternative

fuel vehicles

Target Number of

recharging

points installed

Number 0 1 500 Q2 2026 Installation and connection to the

electricity grid of the installations for at

least 1 500 public recharging points.

This shall also result in the installation of

fast charging points with output of 50 kW

and higher in each self-governing region of

Slovakia.

26

COMPONENT 4: Decarbonisation of industry Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in Slovakia and the fulfilment of national targets, as set out in

the 2021-2030 Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, require also an accelerated action by the

industry. Slovakia is a heavily industrialized economy, with energy and industrial processes contribution

to overall greenhouse gas emissions of just above 70%. Slovakia ranks among the Member States with

the highest average air concentrations of dust particles in the EU, largely due to aging industrial

technologies and burning of fuels in households.

In this context, the component 4 of the Slovak reform and resilience plan proposes the development and

operation of a decarbonisation scheme for the industrial sector. The measures shall lead to lower

greenhouse gas emissions in enterprises, reduced energy losses a higher uptake of innovative

environmental technologies in industrial production. The component embeds the reform commitment by

the Slovak government to transit away from coal in the Upper Nitra region. It also includes commitment

to end support for the production of electricity from indigenous coal and the closure of Nováky lignite

power plant. The investment in the equipment of the Slovak Environmental Inspectorate shall strengthen

the monitoring capacity of decarbonisation efforts by this institution.

The component includes two reforms and one principal and one complementary investment.

These reforms and investments shall contribute to the green transition objective and to climate target.

The decarbonisation shall have lasting impact on environment and air quality in Slovakia. The

investments shall strengthen competitiveness of Slovak industry and securing jobs at the local level. The

transformation of the Upper Nitra region boasts a strong cohesion element, particularly in supporting the

region in its transition away from coal.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The measures shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendation conveyed to Slovakia

in 2020, on the need to “focus investment on the green digital transitions, in particular on clean and

efficient production and use of energy and resources” (Country Specific Recommendation 3/2020).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: The termination of coal-based electricity production at Nováky power plant and

transformation of the Upper Nitra region

This reform embeds the commitment of the Slovak government to progress with transition away from

coal in the Upper Nitra region. The regional Nováky power plant has the third highest CO2 emissions

among the Slovak EU’s Emission Trading Scheme installations.

27

The purpose of this measure is, for the Nováky lignite power plant, to end the support for production of

electricity and to terminate the electricity generation from lignite. This shall deliver positive effects on

environment and a price reduction for final electricity consumers.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2023.

Reform 2: Adoption of the competitive scheme for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in

industry

The Slovak authorities shall launch a competitive decarbonisation scheme open to all industrial sectors.

The decarbonisation scheme shall support the uptake of the best currently available technologies in

industrial processes. The support shall target low carbon processes and technologies in industry and the

adoption of energy efficiency measures.

Slovakia shall ensure that the strict requirements on compliance with environmental legislation, both at

national and EU level, shall be ensured. This shall include the compliance of supported activities and

companies with the DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The support to installations under the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme shall reduce their greenhouse gas

emissions substantially below the benchmark relevant to the project bid. The ‘substantially below

benchmark’ condition shall be part of selection criteria for the procurement.

The quantity of greenhouse gases emitted (in CO2 equivalent units, weighted average) of the enterprises

supported by the scheme shall decrease by at least 30% as compared to the counterfactual scenario.

The Slovak authorities shall provide either data on decarbonisation for projects under the scheme (to be

made available by 30 June 2026 at the latest) or demonstrate that the greenhouse gas emission savings is

expected to be delivered based on assumed parameters of supported technologies under the measure

(based on certificates by producers) or the combination of both approaches.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

Investment 1: The operation of the industry decarbonisation scheme

The objective of this measure is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions through project support to

industrial enterprises. This measure consists in the completion of implementation of the industry

decarbonisation projects supported by the RRF.

28

Investment 2: Supporting the functioning of the Slovak Environmental Inspectorate linked to

decarbonisation

The objective of this measure is to strengthen the monitoring capacity of the Slovak Environmental

Inspectorate in the decarbonisation process. The measure consists in implementing investments into

modernisation of equipment and facilities of this institution.

29

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets) Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 4 –

Decarbonisation

of industry –

Reform 1: The

termination of coal-based

electricity

production at

Nováky power

plant and

transformation of

the Upper Nitra

region

Milestone Transition away

from coal at the

Upper Nitra

region

Cessation of the

lignite electricity

generation at the

Nováky Power

Plant

Q4 2023 In the framework of

transformation of the

Upper Nitra region for the

Nováky power plant: • The Slovak authorities

shall terminate the

support to lignite

electricity generation.

• The lignite electricity

generation shall be

discontinued

2 4 –

Decarbonisation

of industry –

Reform 2: The

competitive

scheme for

greenhouse gas

emissions

reduction in

industry

Milestone Adoption of the

industrial

decarbonisation scheme

Adoption of the

scheme on

industrial

decarbonisation

by the Ministry of

Environment

Q4 2022 Adoption of the industrial

decarbonisation scheme

delivering efficient results

by the Ministry of

Environment. The

competitive

decarbonisation scheme

shall be rolled out through

a non-discriminatory,

transparent and open

bidding process, open to all

industrial sectors. The

support shall target the low

carbon processes and

technologies in industry

and adoption of energy

efficiency measures. The investment policy of

the scheme shall include at

30

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets) Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

least the following

eligibility and project

selection criteria: • the objective of the

lowest price per tonne

of the greenhouse gas

saved;

• ensuring compliance

with the EU acquis and

national environmental

laws as well as the

DNSH Technical

Guidance

(2021/C58/01) of

supported activities

and companies and

specifying

decarbonisation

targets.

• supporting only best

available technology

compliant projects;

• supported EU

Emission Trading

Scheme installations

shall reduce their GHG

emissions substantially

below the benchmark

relevant to the project

bid. The ‘substantially

below benchmark’

condition shall be part

of selection criteria for

the procurement.

31

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets) Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

• no solid fossil fuels

shall be supported. The

projects using natural

gas as a main

feedstock or energy

source shall not be

supported. For projects

where natural gas is

used to be eligible

under the RRF

scheme, natural gas

shall not account for

more than 20% of the

final energy

consumption of the

equipment, machinery,

energy generation.

• the quantity of

greenhouse gases

emitted (in CO2

equivalent units,

weighted average) of

the enterprises

supported by the

scheme shall decrease

by at least 30% The Slovak authorities

shall provide assurances on

timely data delivery for all

supported projects by 30

June 2026 at the latest or

they shall demonstrate that

greenhouse gas emissions

savings are to be delivered

based on assumed

32

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets) Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

parameters of supported

technologies (based on

certificates by producers)

or the combination of both

approaches. The

preliminary quantification

of greenhouse gas

emissions reductions by the

decarbonisation projects

may be based on technical

documents stating key

parameters, consumption of

energy and input materials

of supported technologies.

The Slovak authorities

shall share with the

Commission the baseline

scenarios as well as the

projected impact of the

supported technologies,

following the selection of

the projects. 3 4 – Decarbonisa-

tion of industry –

Investment 1: The

operation of the

industry

decarbonisa-tion

scheme

Milestone Finalisation of the

industry

decarbonisation

projects supported

by the RRF

Finalisation of

decarbonisation

projects supported

by the RRF

Q2 2026 The finalised

decarbonisation scheme

projects supported by the

RRF shall deliver an

overall reduction of

121 956,66 tonnes of CO2

equivalent, in addition to

the counterfactual scenario

presented to the

Commission.

33

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets) Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

The emission reduction

shall be demonstrated

through parameters of

supported technologies

under the measure.

4

4 – Decarbonisa-

tion of industry –

Investment 2:

Ensuring the

functioning of the

Slovak

Inspectorate of the

Environment

linked to

decarbonisation

Milestone Capacity

increasing

investments for

the Slovak

Inspectorate of

the Environment

Delivery of new

equipment and

modernised

facilities of the

Slovak

Inspectorate of

the Environment

Q2 2025 The investment shall

include:

(1) New inspectorate

vehicles outfitted with

office and measuring

technology, specifically for

inspecting of air protection,

water protection and waste

management;

(2) Refurbished building

premises of the

Inspectorate, including but

not limited to the insulation

of the premises or

renovation of the sanitation

systems

34

COMPONENT 5: ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Component 5 ‘Adaptation to climate change’ of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan aims at

increasing the resilience of both ecosystems and human settlements to the negative effects of climate

change through reforms of the water management system, land management, nature protection and

biodiversity, the implementation of green elements in the landscape and investments in waterproofing,

and the development of green infrastructure, including planting.

The component includes two reforms and one investment.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The objectives of this component are consistent with and forms part of the National Strategy for

Environment Policy to 2030, the Strategy for the adaptation of the Slovak Republic to climate change,

the Vision and Development Strategy of Slovakia to 2030 – the long-term sustainable development

strategy of the Slovak Republic – Slovakia 2030, as well as the strategies and long-term objectives of the

European Union, in particular the European Green Deal.

Reform 2 shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendation conveyed to Slovakia in

2024, on the need to “strenghten [...] the conservation of natural resources by mainstreaming nature-

based solutions and finalising the zonation of nature-protected areas” (Country Specific

Recommendation 3/2024).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1 on landscape planning.

The reform shall provide a basis for safeguarding landscape structures, ecological stability and

biodiversityin land-use planning documentation and subsequent approval processes for the authorisation

of buildings and activities. Together with the subsequent methodological documents and maps, the act

shall provide the technical basis for land-use planning documentation and subsequent approval processes

for the authorisation of buildings and activities. This shall have a significant impact on the maintenance

of landscape structures, ecological stability and the protection of biodiversity. Their loss would

undermine the capacity of adaptation to climate change.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2023.

Reform 2 Reforming nature conservation and water management in the countryside

The objective of the reform isto improvethe status of habitats in protected areas, to guarantee their long-

term increasing contribution to landscape protection against climate change and their own resilience to

the adverse effects of climate change. By 31 December 2022, an amended Nature and Landscape

Protection Act and water legislation shall enter into force. This legislation shall strengthen the

institutional protection of nature, it shall minimise conflicts of competence within protected areas,

simplify the protection system, integrate the networks of protected areas (national, European and

international) and create the conditions for the zoning of national parks. The result shall be a modern

system with the primary objective of protecting nature and biodiversity in the territories concerned,

35

ensuring a stable long-term contribution of ecosystems to climate change adaptation and mitigation. At

the same time, the reform shall allow watercourses to be revitalised and shall create room for ecological

management, restoration of river space and progressive flood protection taking into account nature

protection and water retention in the countryside.

The reform also consists of the entry into force and application of decrees establishing seven national

parks (Slovenský kras, Velká Fatra, Muránska planina,Malá Fatra, Nízké Tatry, Vysoké Tatry and

Poloniny) to ensure that zonations of their respective protected areas are finalised.

Investment 1 on the adaptation of regions to climate change with an emphasis on nature

conservation and biodiversity development.

The investment aims at ensuring the long-term sustainable contribution of ecosystems to climate change

adaptation and mitigation (flood mitigation, drought prevention) by protecting ecosystems. The

investment consists of a realignment of property, limiting logging and developing nature conservation

and revitalising watercourses, including wetlands, to ensure water retention in the countryside and its

gradual release.

Investment 2 on building forests resilient to climate change.

The objective of this measure is to build resilient forests adapted to climate change impacts. The

investment consists of implementing a set of activities dedicated to sustainable forest management.

36

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone /

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 5 –

Adaptation to

climate

change –

Reform 1:

Land planning

reform

Milestone the Land

Planning

reform

Entry into

force of the

Land

Planning Act

by the

Parliament

Q4 2023 By 31 December 2023 the Ministry of

the Environment shall prepare an act

which shall then be approved by the

National Council of the Slovak Republic.

The act shall be accompanied by 31

December 2023 by the development a

methodology for assessing the value of

landscape and ecosystems which shall

aim at ensuring that climate adaptation

considerations are factored in territorial

decision-making and building

proceedings, promoting the

implementation of nature-based flood

prevention measures and measures to

prevent drought and biodiversity loss.

2 5 – Adapting

to climate

change –

Reform 2:

Reforming

nature

conservation

and water

management

Milestone More effective

application of

nature

protection

measures in

landscapes in

protected

areas and the

revitalization

Entry into

force of the

amended

Nature and

Landscape

Protection

Act and

water

legislation

Q4 2022 The Ministry of the Environment shall

prepare an amendment to the Nature

Protection Act, which shall come into

force in January 2022 This shall be

followed by the development of a

proposal for a new model for the

functioning of protected areas (by 31

December 2022).The water management

reform in the country shall pave the way

for the revitalization of watercourses,

thus increasing flood protection in the

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

37

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone /

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

in the

countryside

of

watercourses

country. The Ministry of the

Environment shall draw up a new water

policy concept by 31 December 2022

and amend the Water Act by 31

December 2022 setting up technical

standards which shall allow watercourses

to be revitalised in a way that shall

maximize water retention in the country,

slowing off water outflows and restoring

groundwater reserves.

4 5 – Adapting

to climate

change –

Investment 1:

Adapting

regions to

climate

change,

focusing on

nature

conservation

and

biodiversity

development

Target Revitalisation

of

watercourses

(in Km of

revitalised

watercourses)

Km of

revitalised

watercourses

Number 0 90 Q2 2026 Revitalisation passports shall be provided

for at least 90 Km of watercourses

including wetlands.

38

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone /

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

5 6 – Adapting

to climate

change –

Investment 1:

Adapting

regions to

climate

change,

focusing on

nature

conservation

and

biodiversity

development

Target Property

settlement

with private

landowners (in

Area of land

settled in ha)

Number 0 32.82 Q4 2023 Property settlements for an area of 32.82

ha in nature-protected areas shall be

reached.

By 30 June 2022, a working group at the

Ministry of the Environment shall draw

up a methodology for determining the

value and price of land. Calls for land

purchase in protected areas, primarily in

national parks, shall be launched for

selected areas on a rolling basis until 31

December 2023

7 6 – Adapting

to climate

change –

Investment 1:

Adapting

regions to

climate

change,

focusing on

nature

conservation

and

biodiversity

development

Target List of

selected

projects for

the regions of

Muránska

Planina and

Polonina

Number 0 2 Q2 2022 The Steering Board shall select projects

for two regions of Muránska Planina and

Polonina in accordance with the DNSH

principle on the basis of an open

discussion with relevant local actors.

39

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone /

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

8

5 –

Adaptation to

climate

change –

Reform 2:

Reforming

nature

conservation

and water

management

in the

countryside

Milestone

Zonation

process of

national parks

Entry into

force and

application

of

Government

decrees

establishing

national

parks, their

zones and

protected

areas

Q1 2026 The Government shall finalise the

process of zonation by adopting decrees

establishing the following national parks,

their zones and their respective protected

areas:

i. Slovenský kras,

ii. Velká Fatra,

iii. Muránska planina,

iv. Malá Fatra,

v. Nízké Tatry,

vi. Vysoké Tatry, and

vii. Poloniny.

The respective Government decrees shall

ensure that:

i) the areas with primary forests and old-

growth forests within the national parks

are covered by zone A of the 5th level of

protection as per Articles 16 and 30 of

Act No. 543/2002 Coll. on nature

protection, and

ii) they are in accordance with the

already approved Conservation

Programme of Capercaillie (Tetrao

urogallus Linnaeus, 1758) for the years

2025 – 2029 adopted on 20 January

2025. This shall result in zone A of the

5th level of protection, as per Articles 16

and 30 of Act No. 543/2002 Coll. on

40

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone /

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

nature protection, being imposed in the

areas identified as requiring non-

intervention in the Conservation

Programme.

9 Investment 2:

Building

forests

resilient to

climate

change

Target Sustainable

reforestation

activities

Land area

with

implemented

measures of

sustainable

forest

management

ha 0 31 069 Q2 2026 The activities supported shall be

implemented on forest land only.

The following areas shall be excluded:

• Natura 2000;

• 4th and 5th level of protected

areas based on Slovak

legislation;

• areas with registered presence

of Western Capercaillie species.

An acceptance protocol shall be issued,

demonstrating that the measures of

sustainable forest management were

implemented on an area of 31 069ha,

and it included the following activities :

• Artificial forest regeneration of

1 972 ha;

• Reinforcing natural regeneration of

forest of 188 ha;

• Protection of young forest coverage

of 15 421 ha;

• Tending young forest stands to

ensure species and spatial

composition of at least 9 166 ha;

41

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone /

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

• First thinning up to 50 years of

maximum 4 322 ha.

A report by an independent expert shall

be issued, confirming that:

• the activities supported were

implemented on forest land only,

and that Natura 2 000, areas in 4th

and 5th level of protection, and areas

with registered presence of Western

Capercaillie were excluded.

• the activities contributed to building

a multispecies and multigenerational

forest, with regard to the spatial

composition and managed according

to continuous cover forestry

approach,

• For reforestation, only native tree

species were planted or those that

are adapted to the projected climatic

and pedo-hydrological conditions.

42

COMPONENT 6: Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education

The objective of the Component is to improve accessibility and inclusiveness of mainstream pre-school

and school education in Slovakia. The Component will improve access to pre-primary education by

ensuring that children aged 5 years old shall have place in the pre-school system and by introducing the

legal entitlement to pre-primary education for 4- and 3-year olds. The Component is to reform the

financing system for pre-school education and to introduce the system of inclusive educational support

measures. The component may contribute to reduce the early-school leaving by fostering the school

counselling and advisory system at lower secondary level, and to improve the inclusion also of Roma

children by curbing segregation at schools. The component shall level off the deficiencies in the

educational outcomes due to the pandemic and help children with special educational needs by more

targeted support measures.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The Component shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendations addressed to

Slovakia in the past two years, on the need to improve the quality and inclusiveness of education at all

levels and foster skills. Enhance access to affordable and quality childcare and long-term care. Promote

integration of disadvantaged groups, in particular Roma. (Country Specific Recommendation 2/2019).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: Providing conditions for the implementation of compulsory pre-primary education for

children from the age of 5 and introducing a legal entitlement to a place in kindergarten or other

pre-primary education providers from the age of 3.

The objective of this reform is to fulfil the preconditions for implementing compulsory pre-primary

education for 5-year-old children and a legal entitlement to a place in pre-primary education for 3- and

4-year-old children. This measure consists in the amendment of legislation and the creation of capacity

in kindergartens.

Reform 2: The definition of the concept of special educational needs of children and pupils and the

development of a model for eligible support measures in education, including their funding system.

The objective of this reform is to support pupils with special educational needs. This measure consists in

the amendment of legislation, the introduction of support measures and the provision of training.

Reform 3: Reforming the system of counselling and prevention and ensuring systematic data

collection in the field of mental health promotion for children, pupils and students. The objective

of the reform is to shift the newly-created Advisory and Prevention Centres (CPP) to operate closer to

schools. By amending respective legal acts, these centres shall provide professional activities without

defining health disadvantage, as it is currently the case, which causes discrimination. A change in the

advisory system shall be accompanied by further support measures such as: change in funding setting up

on the basis of the professional activities.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2023.

43

Reform 4: Adapt F-type study programmes.

The objective of this reform is to introduce the option to attain the level of lower secondary education in

lower secondary vocational education programmes, so called “F-programmes”. This measure consists in

the amendment of legislation and the adaptation of the list of F-programmes offered.

Reform 5: Promoting school desegregation.

The objective of this reform is to introduce a legal definition of segregation at schools. This measure

consists in the amendment of legislation and the establishment of methodological material and

desegregation standards.

Reform 6: Compensatory measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in education for

primary and secondary school pupils.

The reform establishes a tuition programme mainly for pupils who had limited opportunities to

participate in education during the pandemic. The tuition programme is organised by the participating

pupils’ schools and focuses in particular on subjects from so-called “main educational fields”. The

selection of pupils as well as communication with pupils’ legal representatives are responsibilities

assigned to the school.

In order to address the problem of the lack of comprehensive data on the course of distance learning,

Ministry of Education shall launch a call for carrying out extensive pedagogical research to analyse the

impact of the pandemic on education and their implications for education policies.

The implementation of the reform is expected to start by 30 September 2021 and shall be completed by

31 December 2024.

Investment 1: Removing barriers in school buildings.

The objective of this investment is to remove architectural barriers in 135 secondary schools. This

measure consists in the establishment of a manual and the removal of barriers at 135 secondary schools.

44

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education –

Reform

1:1.Ensuring

conditions for the

implementation

of compulsory

pre-primary

education for

children aged of

five and

introducing a

legal entitlement

to a place in

kindergarten or

other pre-primary

education

providers from

the age of three

Milestone Introduction of

legal changes

of a

compulsory

pre-primary

education for

children aged

of five and

introduction a

legal

entitlement to a

place in

kindergarten or

other pre-

primary

education

providers from

the age of

three.

Adoption by

the Parliament

of , Act No

596/2003, Act

No 245/2008,

Act No

138/2019,

amendment of

Government

Coll.,

amendment of

Decree No

1/2020.

Q2 2023 The relevant provisions of Act

No 596/2003 on State

administration in education and

school self-government shall

enhance the transparency of

funding for pre-primary

education before the new

prescriptive funding system is

introduced.

Act No 245/2008 shall

introduce a universal legal

entitlement to a place in

kindergarten or other pre-

primary education providers for

children from four years of age

and subsequently from the age

of three. The legislation shall be

adopted by 30 June 2023, with

effect from 1.1.2024, and

1.1.2025 and shall provide the

sufficient places in kindergarten

or other pre-primary education

providers for all children from

the age of 4 (from 09/2024) and

subsequently from the age of

three (from 09/2025).

The amendment to Act No

138/2019 on pedagogical and

45

professional employees and the

amendment to Decree No

1/2020 Coll. on qualification

requirements for teaching staff

and specialist staff shall

introduce the condition that

pedagogical staff in

kindergartens or other pre-

primary education providers as

a teacher have a higher

education degree in the teaching

programme for early and pre-

primary education if they teach

children for whom pre-primary

education is compulsory. In

addition, the regulation shall

introduce the condition that

each kindergarten or other pre-

primary education provider

shall have at least one staff

member with a higher education

degree in the teaching

programme for early and pre-

primary education who is

responsible for overseeing the

pedagogical quality. The

amendment shall be adopted by

30 June 2023 at the latest, with

a date of application from

1.1.2029.

2

6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

1:1.Ensuring

conditions for the

implementation

Target

Enrollment rate

in pre-primary

schools for

children aged 5

years

% 88 95 Q3 2022

For children who are 5 years

old, pre-primary education shall

be compulsory. Under the

amendment to the School Act,

they shall receive pre-primary

education:(i) in

kindergarten/special

kindergarten included in the

Slovak network of schools and

46

of compulsory

pre-primary

education for

children aged of

five and

introducing a

legal entitlement

to a place in

kindergarten or

other pre-primary

education

providers from

the age of three

schools, (ii) in individual

education, e.g. at the request of

a legal representative at home,

or (iii) at the establishment of a

registered pre-primary

education provider.

3 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

1:1.Providing

conditions for the

implementation

of compulsory

pre-primary

education for

children from the

age of 5 and

introducing a

legal entitlement

to a place in

kindergarten or

other pre-primary

education

providers from

the age of 3

Target Number of

kindergartens

constructed or

reconstructed

Number 0 220 Q2 2026 220 kindergartens shall be

either newly constructed or

reconstructed.

47

4 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

2:Definition of

the concept of

special

educational

needs of children

and pupils and

development of a

model for

eligible support

measures in

education and

education,

including their

funding system

Milestone Adoption of

the law on

redefinition of

the concept of

special

educational

needs and the

preparation of

accompanying

methodological

material for

teaching staff,

specialist staff

and school

leaders.

Adoption of the

Parliament of

the amendment

to Act No

245/2008 Coll.,

Act No

597/2003 Coll.;

Amendment of

Government

Regulation No

630/2008 and

Adoption by

the government

development of

methodological

material on the

vertical model

of support

measures,

didactic and

methodological

material for

teaching

Slovak as a

second

language and

the introduction

of support for

children with

different

mother tongues

in education

Q4 2022 The amendment to Act No

245/2008 on education (together

with a separate new Decree) and

the amendment to Act No

597/2003 on the financing of

primary schools, secondary

schools and educational

establishments define children

and pupils experiencing

obstacles to access to education

and their entitlement to

education support through

specific support measures.

Slovak Government Regulation

No 630/2008 shall be adapted,

which takes into account

different specificities when

calculating the normative

contribution by means of

coefficients.

The reform requires the

preparation of accompanying

methodological material. At the

same time, methodological

sheets for teachers and

worksheets for pupils, aimed at

developing the language

competences of children and

pupils with different mother

tongues than the school’s

language of instruction, shall be

developed for different levels of

language competences and

different age groups.

Methodological and didactic

materials shall be published on a

separate web portal and shall be

48

freely accessible to all relevant

educational actors.

5 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

2:Definition of

the concept of

special

educational

needs of children

and pupils and

development of a

model for

eligible support

measures in

education and

education,

including their

funding system

Milestone Entry into

force the

redefinition of

the concept of

special

educational

needs

Entry into force

of the

amendment to

Act No

245/2008 Coll.,

Act No

597/2003 Coll.;

Q1 2023 The amendment to Act No

245/2008 on education (together

with a separate new Decree)

define children and pupils

experiencing obstacles to access

to education and their

entitlement to education support

through specific support

measures shall enter into force

by 31 March 2023.

6 6– Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform 2:The

definition of the

concept of

special

educational

needs of children

and pupils and

development of a

model for

Target Number of

persons trained

who are either

a teacher or

education

specialist

Number 0 10 000 Q4 2025 10 000 unique persons working

in the education sector shall

finish at least one training

programme.

49

eligible support

measures in

education,

including their

funding system

7 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

3:Reforming the

system of

counselling and

prevention and

ensuring

systemic data

collection in the

field of mental

health promotion

for children,

pupils and

students

Milestone Entry into

force of the

legislation that

create the

comprehensive

system of

counselling

Entry into force

of the

amendment to

Act No.

245/2008 Coll.

and separate

Decrees,

probable

amendment and

Government

Regulation No

630/2008 Coll.

Q1 2023 The amendment to Act No

245/2008 on education and

training (together with a separate

new decree) shall replace the

current concept of an advisory

system with an interconnected

system focusing on accessibility,

complexity and compliance with

content and performance

standards.

A comprehensive system of

counselling and prevention shall

consist of the newly created

Advisory and Prevention

Centres (CPP), which shall

provide professional activities

without defining a focus on

target groups according to health

disadvantage, as is currently the

case, i.e. so that the possibility of

visiting the centre of counselling

and prevention is not determined

on the basis of the child’s health

disadvantage. Professional

activities shall be provided in

close cooperation between

support teams in schools and

schools, including a

multidisciplinary team.

This creates conditions for

intensive, timely and high-

quality support, assistance and

intervention for children, pupils,

50

students, legal representatives,

institutional representatives and

other counterparts. The change

in funding shall consist of setting

the contribution on the basis of

the professional activities

carried out. In the context of the

change in funding, Government

Regulation No 630/2008 laying

down the details of the

breakdown of funds from the

state budget for schools and

educational establishments may

also need to be amended.

8 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education –

Reform

4:Implementation

of tools to

prevent early

school leaving

and adapt F-type

study

programmes

Milestone Entry into

force of

legislative

amendments

aimed at:

Extension of

the possibility

to acquire

lower

secondary

education in

lower

secondary

vocational

education

(VET)

optimisation of

NSOV

programmes in

response to

labour market

needs and the

offer of NSOV

programmes in

relation to the

Entry into force

of the

amendment to

Act No

245/2008, Act

No 61/2015

and

modification of

Decree No

292/2019.Z. z.

Q1 2023 The amendment to Act No

245/2008 on education and

training (School Act) shall

provide for the possibility of

completing lower secondary

education in lower secondary

vocational education (NSOV) in

a two- and three-year combined

programme (depending on the

year in which the pupil

completed the primary school)

by means of a comitology

examination. The aim is to

remove the so-called “dead

ends” within the education

system and to enable NSOV

pupils to complete the lower-

secondary education as part of

one programme that is more

efficient. There is a greater

coverage of the system in

relation to vulnerable groups.

The education offer shall be

adapted to labour market needs.

51

educational

needs of the

target group of

pupils

The amendment to Act No

61/2015 on vocational

education and training shall

extend the obligation to

determine secondary school

performance plans to lower

secondary vocational education.

Decree No 292/2019 shall be

amended which shall set up the

performance planning system

for F-type study programme by

defining specific criteria. These

shall take into account the

specificities of F-type study

programme, such as criteria at

school level (benefits,

attendance, rate of completion

of primary school) and at trade

union level – labour market

outcomes of “F graduates”.

9 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform 4: Adapt

F-type study

programmes

Milestone F-programmes

adapted

Entry into force

of the

amendment to

Decree No.

287/2022.

Q2 2025 The list of F- programmes shall

be adapted after requesting

input from professional

organisations.

10 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

5:Supporting

school

desegregation

Milestone Adoption of

legislative

amendments

that introduce

the definition

of segregation

at schools in

the legislation

and the

development of

Adoption by

the Parliament

of an

amendment to

Act No

245/2008 or to

Act No

365/2004 and

the creation

and approval

Q3 2023 Amendments to the legislation

shall concern the Anti-

discrimination Act (No

365/2004 Coll.) or the School

Act (No 245/2008 Coll.) and

other legislation related to the

financing and management of

schools. The definition of

segregation clearly determines

what acts and omissions are

52

methodological

material for the

implementation

of

desegregation

by the Ministry

of Education of

methodological

material

considered to be segregation in

order to avoid different

interpretations in interpretation.

The methodological materials

shall provide guidance on

preventing and eliminating

segregated education for the

various educational actors (such

as creators, schools and school

facilities, directors and teachers)

in practice.

12 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

5:Promoting

school

desegregation

Milestone Introduction of

desegregation

standards

Creation of

desegregation

standards and

entry into force

of the

amendment to

Act No.

245/2008

Q4 2025 Desegregation standards and a

manual shall be established

which shall contain guidance on

the updating of school

regulations to prevent and

eliminate segregation.

All elementary and secondary

schools shall be legally required

to incorporate the desegregation

standards in their school

regulation.

13 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Reform

6:Compensatory

measures to

mitigate the

impact of the

pandemic in

education for

primary and

Target Number of

schools taking

part in tuition

programmes

Number 0 450 Q4 2022 450 schools organise tuition

programmes. By reaching this

number of schools, 12 000

pupils shall be supported by

tuition programmes. As a

priority, the tuition programmes

shall target those pupils who

were not able to fully participate

in education during the period of

interrupted attendance education

in schools in the 2019/2020 and

2020/2021 school years. Tuition

shall take place in individual or

group form and in addition to

regular school hours. It shall

53

secondary school

pupils

focus in particular on subjects

from so-called “main

educational fields”.

14 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Investment 1:

Removing

barriers of

school buildings

Milestone Introduction of

the definition

of

debarrierisation

standard,

creation of a

debarrierisation

manual and

mapping of

school needs at

all levels of

education

Approval by

the Ministry of

Education of

debarrierisation

standards,

debarrierisation

manual and

publication of

the results of

the mapping of

needs on the

MoE website

Q1 2022 The manual defines

debarrierisation standards to

meet the real needs of children,

pupils and students with health

disadvantages and to respect the

principles of universal design. It

shall be based on a holistic

approach that ensures full

participation in school life (i.e.

defining standards that create an

inclusive space throughout the

school and do not only focus on

removing the biggest barriers

e.g. in school entry). In addition

to spatial standards (e.g.

technical specification for

construction works), the manual

also defines standards for the

debarrierisation of school

buildings (such as the

cooperation of the school with

experts and the community)

The Ministry of Education

together with Institute for

Research on Inclusive Education

in Brno shall prepare an analysis

of the state of play of

debarrierisation in schools in

relation to the established

standards and, based on it, shall

prioritise individual schools for

debarrierisation..

54

15 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education–

Investment

1:Removing

barriers in school

buildings

Target Elimination of

architectural

barriers at

secondary

schools

Number 0 135 Q2 2025 Architectural barriers shall be

reduced at 135 secondary

schools.

16 6 – Accessibility,

development and

quality of

inclusive

education –

Reform

1:1.Ensuring

conditions for the

implementation

of compulsory

pre-primary

education for

children aged of

five and

introducing a

legal entitlement

to a place in

kindergarten or

other pre-primary

education

providers from

the age of three

Milestone

Entry into

force of new

prescriptive

funding system

for pre-primary

education

based on the

standardised

real annual

staff and

operational

costs of

kindergartens,

as well as the

achievement of

the enrollment

rate of children

aged four

years.

Adoption by

the Parliament

of Act No

597/2003, Act

No 596/2003,

Act 564/2004

Coll,

amendment of

Government

Regulation No

668/2004 Coll.,

Government

Regulation No

630/2008 Coll.

Q1 2025 The relevant provisions of Act

597/2003 Coll. on the financing

of primary schools, secondary

schools and school facilities,

Act No 596/2003 Coll. on state

administration in education and

school self-government, Act

564/2004 Coll. on the budgeting

of income tax revenue of local

and regional authorities, the

revision of the formula in

Government Regulation No

668/2004 as well as the

amendment of Government

Regulation No 630/2008 shall

be amended.

A differentiated and transparent

system of funding for pre-

primary education shall be set

up to ensure stability, resilience

and the ring-fencing of funds

allocated to education. The

legislation shall be adopted by

30 June 2024 and enter into

force on 1.1.2025.

By 30 September 2024, the

enrolment rate of children aged

4 years in pre-primary

education shall be at least 82%.

55

This shall encompass pre-

primary education: (i) in

kindergarten/special

kindergarten included in the

Slovak network of schools, (ii)

in individual education, e.g. at

the request of a legal

representative at home, or (iii)

at the establishment of a

registered pre-primary

education provider.

56

COMPONENT 7: Education for the 21st century

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan shall introduce curricular reform of primary

schools (ISCED 1, ISCED 2) creating new learning content organised in multi-annual cycles. The aim is

to develop pupils’ critical thinking and soft skills as problem-solving, handling information, working in

a team, narrative and asking questions, taking initiative and responsibility, creating and implementing

personal projects. This shall require the provision of textbooks necessary to renew the current stock and

a change in teachers’ skills to apply these changes in everyday practice. At the same time, the component

shall strengthen the quality of skills of teaching and professional staff and motivate them for lifelong

professional development. The focus shall also be on inclusive education and the acquisition of digital

skills.

The component includes two reforms and two investments.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The Component shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendation addressed to

Slovakia on the need to strengthen digital skills and ensure equal access to quality education. (Country

Specific Recommendation 2/2020). Improve the quality and inclusiveness of education at all levels and

foster skills (Country Specific Recommendation 2/2019).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: Reform of the content and form of education . The objective of the reformis to create new

learning curricula for primary and lower-secondary education, organised in educational cycles. This

measure consists in the approval of the new state primary education programme, which allows for greater

flexibility in developing school curricula, in the implementation of 40 regional support centres for

schools, and in the provision of new learning materials. This measure also envisages the creation of an

online testing environment aimed at digitalising the final test (maturita) on all upper-secondary schools.

Reform 2: Preparing and developing teachers for new content and forms of teaching (change in

higher education training) and strengthening the professional development of teachers). The

objective of this reform is to strengthen the quality of skills of teaching and professional staff and

motivate them for lifelong professional development. A financial allowance shall be introduced to

upgrade the teacher’s skills. The focus shall be made on the new curricula, inclusive education and the

acquisition of digital skills. By the end of 2023 at least 55% of pedagogical and professional staff shall

be trained. The respective legislative amendments shall regulate the competences and the range of

teaching providers.

There shall be a grant programme for universities provided to support the emergence of new teaching

curricula. This shall include funding for changes in programmes that support the introduction of inclusive

education, the education of pupils with different mother tongues from Slovak and the development of

digital competences among student teachers.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2025.

57

Investment 1: Digital infrastructure in schools. The objective of this investment is to increase the

percentage of schools with digital entry and thereby create an environment that supports digital skill

development and improves the digital inclusion among disadvantaged pupils. The investment consists in

the delivery of digital equipment to 60% of schools.

Investment 2: Completion of the school infrastructure. This investment aims at better integrating

pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. This measure consists in the elimination of 35 two-shift schools

in Slovakia.

58

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target

unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Reform 1:

Education

content and

form reform

Milestone New curriculum for

all primary schools

organized in the

multiannual

education cycles

Approval of

the new state

primary

education

programme by

the Minister of

Education.

Q1 2023 An integrated curriculum for

primary schools (ISCED 1 and

ISCED 2) shall be implemented

within cycles. Cycles shall

define basic learning objectives

for areas rather than detailed

content, thus creating flexibility

to develop curricula at school

level. The implementation phase

shall start from September 2023

with an obligation to transfer all

primary schools to a new

curriculum by 09/2026.

2 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Reform 1:

Education

content and

form reform

Target Creation of a

network of regional

centres of support

Number 0 40 Q3 2024 40 centres of curricular

management and support for

schools shall be set up at

regional level. The centres shall

consist of a team of teachers and

other specialists providing

mentoring or similar supporting

activities.

3 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Reform 1:

Milestone Implementation of

the curricular reform

and new learning

materials to schools

Q4 2025 At least 30% of primary schools

shall implement the new

curriculum.

59

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target

unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Education

content and

form reform

The Ministry of Education shall

set up a central public

procurement procedure for new

learning materials, , or provide

an allowance for their purchase.

4 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Reform 1:

Education

content and

form reform

– Curricular

and textbook

reform

Milestone Introduction of an

on-line final exam

(maturita) for all

upper secondary

schools

Q4 2025 The final exam for graduates

from all upper secondary

schools, where maturita takes

place, shall be delivered online.

5 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Reform 2:

Preparing

and

developing

teachers for

new content

and form of

teaching

Milestone Entry into force the

legislative changes

to strengthen the

quality of skills of

teaching and

professional staff

and motivate them

for lifelong

professional

development

Entry into

force the

amendments

to Act No

138/2019 on

pedagogical

and

professional

employees,

Act No

597/2003

Coll., Act No

131/2002 on

higher

education, and

Q1 2023 The legislative changes shall

bring:

• Introduction of the new

study programmes preparing

future teachers,

• An allowance to motivate

teaching and professional

staff to pursue lifelong

professional development;

• Regulation of the

competences and the range

of providers of attestation,

functional and qualification

60

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target

unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

the Decrees

No 244/2019

and No 1/2020

of the Ministry

of Education,

Science,

Research and

Sport of the

Slovak

Republic on

the system of

study unions

of the Slovak

Republic.

education in the education

sector.

• New model of accreditation

of professional development

training programmes.

6 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Reform 2:

Preparing

and

developing

teachers for

new content

and form of

teaching

Target Percentage of

pedagogical and

professional staff

trained, especially in

preparation for the

new curriculum,

inclusive education

and digital skills

% 0 55 Q4 2023 By 31 of December 2023 at least

55% of pedagogical and

professional staff of schools shall

be trained.

7 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Investment

1: Digital

Target Delivery of digital

equipment to schools

% 0 60 Q4 2025 60% of schools shall receive

digital equipment. Such

equipment shall, , include, for

example, software, hardware,

and compensatory equipment

for disadvantaged pupils, as well

61

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone

/ Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each milestone

and target

unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

infrastructure

in schools

as, for example, equipment for

an IT classroom.

8 7 –

Education

for the 21st

century –

Investment

2:

Completion

of school

infrastructure

Target Elimination of the

double-shift schools

Number 0 35 Q2 2026 New premises shall be built or

existing premises shall be

reconstructed for the purpose of

the elimination of double shifts

in 35 schools.

62

COMPONENT 8: Improving the performance of Slovak universities

The key objective of this component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan is to improve the quality

of performance of Slovak higher education institutions (HEIs). The new form of financing of professional

bachelor programmes shall be introduced to better fit the study programmes to the labour market needs.

In order to improve the quality of science, a systemic performance evaluation shall be established that

support the new accreditation system. The component shall enhance the reform of the universities

management by conferring more power to the rector and the board, as well as setting up a scheme that

incentivises the mergers of the HEI to reduce administrative costs and create the effect of the positive

spill-over in knowledge diffusion among the entities.

The component includes five reforms and one investment.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The Component shall contribute to addressing the Country Specific Recommendations addressed to

Slovakia in the past two years, on the need to Improve the quality and inclusiveness of education at all

levels and foster skills. (Country Specific Recommendation 2/2019) as well as to ensure equal access to

quality education. (Country Specific Recommendation 2/2020).

There is some strong connection to other components especially the ones related to research and

innovation (Component 9 and 17), re-skilling and meeting the labour market needs (Component 10).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: Change in the funding of universities by introduction of performance contracts. A new

instrument – performance contracts – shall be introduced to the legal system in order to support the

profiling and diversification of universities based on their specific strengths and potential for

development. Performance contracts are to be signed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research

and Sport of the Slovak Republic (MŠVVaŠ SR) with public universities. On the basis of the agreement

of with universities, objectives shall be set which shall be monitored using the U-Multirank approach

(unified methodology to carry out the performance evaluation) and shall be based on a long-term

objective in the field of universities and country needs.

The implementation of the reform is expected to start by 31 December 2022 and shall be completed by

31 December 2023.

Reform 2: Introduction of a system of periodic scientific performance evaluation. The objective of

the reform is to introduce a system of periodic evaluation of the scientific performance of universities.

The Ministry prepares, in cooperation with stakeholders, a methodology for assessing scientific

performance and introduces it into the legal system. The performance evaluation shall be organized by

the ministry, either directly or through an autonomous institution, so that the assessment is based on the

principles of independence and transparency. The assessment panel shall consist of domestic and foreign

excellent researchers. The evaluation shall be based on high quality assessment systems from abroad,

with the British Research Excellence Framework (REF) as the main inspiration and using specific

63

parametric settings adapted to the situation of the Slovak institutions to assess the quality of output within

the field.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

Reform 3: A new approach to accreditation of higher education. The objective of the reform is to set

out the new standards and criteria for the accreditation of curricula that tighten the conditions for

guaranteeing and delivering study programmes, improve their quality and introduce long-term quality

monitoring processes. A new system shall require that universities involve students, external stakeholders

(in particular employers) in the design, monitoring and adjustment of curricula, and that universities

closely monitor student progress and needs, graduate uptake and overall student satisfaction. The Slovak

Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (SAAVŠ) shall have external supervision of the

implementation of these rules. The SAAVŠ shall also use the foreign assessors and practitioners in the

assessment of university programmes. It is expected that at least 90% of universities apply to check the

compliance of internal quality systems and study programmes with accreditation standards.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

Reform 4: Reform of the governance of universities. The reform via the amendment to the Higher

Education Act shall increase the power of rector and the Board of Directors so that it better reflect

responsibility and allow greater flexibility within the higher education institution. The reform shall also

remove restrictions on the appointment of lecturers and professors (the current requirement for an

additional habilitation or inaugural procedure and the degrees of lecturer and professor), thus promoting

the openness of the academic environment to both professional and foreign candidates. The recruitment

of university management posts (rector, dean of faculty) shall be professionalized and shall take the form

of open competitions or public hearings. In addition, the experts shall be able to participate in open

competitions for tenures. The Higher Education Act shall remove the condition that staff in positions of

professor and lecturer must have a scientific/pedagogical degree.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2021.

Reform 5: Concentration of excellent educational and research capacities. The objective of this

reform is to increase cooperation between universities. This measure consists in the establishment of

roadmaps and consortia.

Investment 1: Investment support for the strategic development of universities. The objective of

this investment is to invest in the infrastructure of universities. This measure consists in reconstructing

and renovating the infrastructure of universities.

64

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

1:Change in

funding for

universities,

including the

introduction

of

performance

contracts

Milestone Introduction

of

performance

contracts

Conclusion of

the overarching

agreement of

the Ministry of

Education,

Science,

Research and

Sport of the

Slovak

Republic

(MŠVVaŠ SR)

with

universities

Q4 2022 Performance contracts shall support the

profiling and diversification of

universities based on their strengths, their

potential for development, the reduction

in the number of curricula, as well as the

concentration of resources. Among other

things, the aim is to increase the share of

professionally oriented bachelor’s

programmes of public higher education

from 4 % to 10 % to Q4 2025

2 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

1:Change in

funding for

Target Performance

contracts

signed with

public

universities

(in

percentage)

N/A % 0 90 Q4 2023 At least 90% of performance contracts

signed.

65

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

universities,

including the

introduction

of

performance

contracts

3 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

2:Introdu-

ction of a

system of

periodic

scientific

performance

evaluation

Milestone Definition of

the system of

periodic

evaluation of

scientific

performance

introduced in

the Law No

172/2005

Entry into force

of the Law No

172/2005 for

the evaluation

of scientific

performance

and

methodology

for periodic

scientific

performance

evaluation

Q1 2022 A system of periodic evaluation of the

scientific performance of universities,

with the participation of international

evaluators, shall be set up to ensure the

diversification of universities with regard

to the quality of their scientific

performance in individual fields and the

identification of excellent research teams

in individual universities.

The evaluation shall thus be one-size-

fits-all for universities, but also for other

research institutions (SAV, other non-

business and private research

institutions).

4 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

Target Number of

Performed

evaluations

Number 0 20 Q4 2022 The target refers to the all public

universities.

66

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

2:Introdu-

ction of a

system of

periodic

scientific

performance

evaluation

5 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform 3:A

new approach

to

accreditation

of higher

education

Target Percentage of

universities

apply to

check the

compliance

of internal

quality

systems and

study

programmes

with

standards

% 0 90 Q4 2022 At least 90% of universities have applied

for a verification of the compliance of

their internal quality systems and study

programmes with new accreditation

standards.

The new accreditation standards shall

tighten standards and conditions for the

guarantee and delivery of study

programmes. Five academics with high-

quality scientific outputs are needed for

accreditation, as well as the

implementation of a student-centred

quality education system.

Foreign assessors shall also be routinely

involved in assessing compliance with

accreditation standards for quality of

education. Stricter rules shall lead to a

reduction in the number of study

programmes, greater diversification and

profiling and greater student orientation,

as universities shall concentrate on

67

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

programmes where they may deliver the

highest quality of education.

6 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

4:Reform of

the

management

of

universities

Milestone The reform

of the

management

system of

higher

education

institutions

Entry into force

of the

amendment to

Act No

131/2002 on

higher

education,

Q4 2021 The amendment to Act No 131/2002 on

higher education shall reform the

management system of universities. The

amendment to the Law on Higher

Education shall strengthen the

competences of the Rector and the Board

of Directors, the composition of which

shall be reformed, the method of electing

the rector shall be changed, the

mechanism of functional posts shall be

opened up and the requirements for the

internal organisation of academia shall be

simplified, ensuring school autonomy

and freedom of science.

The strengthening of the competences of

the Board of Directors shall address

issues of strategic governance of the

University, while the participation of

State representatives shall be limited in

such a way that the central government

shall not be able to take control of the

Board of Directors. Academic freedom

shall in no way be affected.

7 8 – Increase

in the

performance

Milestone Start bringing

together of

universities

An approved

by the Ministry

of Education,

Q4 2021 An approved bundling road map for at

least 2 university units. The Road Map

shall develop the timetable and the

68

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

5:Concentra-

tion of

excellent

educational

and research

capacities

into larger

units

Science,

Research and

Sport of the

Slovak

Republic

(MŠVVaŠ SR)

bundling road

map for at least

2 university

units.

various steps leading to the linkage of

higher education institutions. The

blending process itself shall be supported

by investments from the Recovery Fund

Facility, as well as performance contracts

due to direct transaction costs (such us

the unification of IT systems), also to

build new infrastructure capacities (such

as removing duplications and unifying

the sites concerned shall not simply be

able to relocate workplaces and new

capacities shall need to be built).

8 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Reform

5:Concentra-

tion of

excellent

educational

and research

capacities

Milestone Bringing

together

universities

through

consortia

Establishment

of at least 2

consortia, a

roadmap and a

signed contract

between the

Ministry and

the university

for the

establishment

of the

consortium

linked to the

latter roadmap.

Q2 2026 At least 2 consortia established as

confirmed by the statute of each

consortium.

Each statute shall state that the

consortium intends to engage in:

• Harmonisation of internal

quality systems.

• Offering joint study

programmes.

• Enabling students to take

courses at each university of the

consortium.

• Integrating research activities or

capacities. For instance, to

69

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

coordinate and conduct joint

research projects.

• Sharing research and education

infrastructure. For instance,

premises, subject-specific

classrooms and laboratories.

• Integration of at least one digital

system. For instance, library-,

publishing- or IT systems.

At least 5 joint study programmes shall

be established per consortium. At least

one of these, for each consortium, shall

be established in a field of study in which

one or more of the universities which

offer the joint programme show above-

average performance in the scientific

performance evaluation system.

Establishment of a roadmap for a third

consortium and a signed contract

between the Ministry and the university

for the establishment of this consortium.

9 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Milestone At least 2

calls

concluded for

supporting

the strategic

development

Award of the

contracts

following the

calls

Q3 2023 2 calls to support the strategic

development of universities as described

in the reform 5 shall provide :

a) The sub-programme for university

development shall support infrastructure

projects for the development of research,

education and accommodation

70

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Investment 1:

support for

the strategic

development

of

universities

of

universities

infrastructure with high added value for

excellent research and

internationalisation: for example,

upgrading existing or new spaces for the

concentration of excellent research and

doctoral studies, including foreign

researchers, upgrading existing or new

spaces for practical teaching in

professional bachelor courses, upgrading

existing or new premises for indoor

facilities, debarrierisation and modern

digitisation of buildings

b) The programme for university

development shall support project

management and induced investment by

bringing together universities. Once the

Roadmap has been approved, and

depending on its feasibility and ambition,

as well as justifying the necessary

investments and ensuring their continued

sustainability, it shall include an

investment plan linked to the process of

bringing together university units.

71

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/

Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators (for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear definition of

each milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

10 8 – Increase

in the

performance

of Slovak

higher

education

institutions –

Investment 1:

support for

the strategic

development

of

universities

Target Reconstru-

cted or

rennovated

university

area and

dormitory

Number 0 126 826

Q2 2026 126 826 m2 shall be reconstructed or

renovated.

Buildings subjected to renovation shall

contribute to the green transition by

achieving at least on average 30% of

primary energy savings.

72

COMPONENT 9: More efficient management and strengthening of R & D & I funding

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan addresses important structural bottlenecks in

the Slovak research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem, such as fragmentation of the RDI

governance, insufficient private-academia cooperation, internationalisation and RDI funding. The longer

term objective is to stimulate private participation in RDI through an increase in private R&D expenditure.

The component aims at strengthening RDI performance and innovation potential, which are a necessary

prerequisite for competitive and sustainable economic growth. The proposed measures are focused on

enhancing the RDI governance, overarching coordination, impact and effectiveness of RDI investment

as well as fostering public-private cooperation and private investment. The measures support research

excellence and internationalisation, as well as the attraction and retention of talent in science and

innovation. The objective of investment schemes is to generate new RDI projects in key sectors of the

economy with transformative potential to support the creation of higher added value jobs and to stimulate

the growth of the innovation ecosystem at the national and regional level.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

The component is composed of 2 reforms and 6 investments, which are closely interlinked. The RDI

reforms are designed to be a prerequisite for efficient and effective absorption of investment.

All investment schemes shall comply with DNSH principles requiring technology neutral investment at

the level of applications and excluding potentially damaging areas such as fossil fuels, including

downstream use. Launch of all competitive calls for proposals shall include eligibility criteria that ensure

that selected projects comply with the DNSH principles through the use of an exclusion list and the

requirement of compliance with the relevant EU and national environmental legislation.

The investments and reforms shall contribute to the Country Specific Recommendations addressed to

Slovakia in the past two years, on the need to “focus investment-related policy on research and innovation”

(Country Specific Recommendations 2/2019), to “focus investment on the green and digital transition”

(Country Specific Recommendation3/2020) and to “enhance coordination and policy making” (Country

Specific Recommendations 4/2020).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: Reform of governance, evaluation and support in science, research and innovation.

The reform focuses on the amendment of the RDI relevant legislation, which shall enhance the RDI

governance structure, strengthen and professionalise inter-ministerial coordination of RDI policies. The

new governance structure shall be made up of the Slovak Government, the Government Council for

Science, Technology and Innovation and the Secretariat created under the Government Office. The

reform shall be based on 5 pillars: i) strong over-government strategy and coordination, ii) effective

cross-cutting standards for support instruments, iii) consolidation of grant agencies and building up their

expertise, iv) application of principles of good governance and efficiency and v) unified system of

institutional assessment and institutional RDI funding.

73

The revision of the legislation (Act No 172/2005) shall be proposed by the Ministry of Education, Science,

Research and Sport and shall enter into force by 31 March 2022. The reform includes the adoption of a

new National Strategy for RDI to provide a strategic policy direction, objectives and tools to apply to all

types of public support, including national and EU funds in a consistent and complementary way. The

government shall adopt the Strategy by 30 September 2022. In order to minimise inefficiencies, the

principles of good governance and efficient funding shall be translated into a methodology to apply ex-

ante into RDI investments. The new RDI strategy and measures shall take into account the revised Smart

Specialisation Strategy to foster thematic concentration as well as recommendations of recent studies

such as OECD to improve RDI investment implementation and “lessons learnt” from the Cohesion policy

programming periods. The evaluation process shall be reformed to increase the use of panel and foreign

evaluators and administrative processes shall be gradually streamlined.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 September 2022.

Reform 2: Reform of the organisation and funding of research institutions, in particular the Slovak

Academy of Science.

The reform aims at completing the transformation of the Slovak Academy of Science (SAS) into a public

organisation to enable stimulating multi-source funding and cooperation with the private sector. The

reform shall be enabled by a revision of the two legislative acts (Act No 133/2002 on SAS and Act No

243/2017 on the public research institutions) proposed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research

and Sport. It shall allow the SAS entering into business and property relations related to RDI with full

protection of intellectual property rights and financial gains.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2021.

Investment 1: Promoting international cooperation and participation in Horizon Europe and EIT

projects.

The objective of this measure is to enable greater participation of Slovak institutions, researchers and

companies in cutting edge projects of the European Research Area (ERA).

The measure consists in grant support to preparation of Horizon Europe applications, high quality

projects, which receive a very high score in ERA programmes but are left with no funding or high quality

projects through “Matching grants” to leverage resources generated under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe.

Investment 2: Supporting cooperation between companies, academia and R & D organisations.

The objective of the investment is to increase private participation in RDI and increase the share of

innovative businesses in the economy.

This measure consists in grant support through various schemes: ‘matching grants’, ‘voucher’ support

schemes and support for the creation of ‘transformative and innovative consortia’.

Investment 3: Excellent science.

The objective of the investment is to create an internationally competitive environment for the best

scientists in terms of salaries and availability of attractive research schemes.

74

This measure consists in granting support to excellent researchers.

Investment 4: Research and innovation to decarbonise the economy.

The objective of the investment is to improve synergies in ‘green’ RDI topics between the national and

EU level.

The measure consists of grant support to projects supporting the green transition and resilience and

adaptation to climate change, in line with the thematic priorities of Horizon Europe, such as for example

carbon free energy, electrification, hydrogen, battery technologies and alternative fuels, low emission

industrial processes and materials and bio-economy. The support aims at the entire research and

innovation cycle (Technology readiness level 1-9).

Investment 5: Research and innovation for the digitalisation of the economy.

The objective of the investment is to improve synergies in ‘digital’ RDI topics between the national and

EU level.

The measure consists of grant support and/or support via financial instruments to projects supporting the

digitalisation of the economy, in line with the thematic priorities of Horizon Europe, such as for example

digital and industrial technologies, internet of things, artificial intelligence and robotics. The support

aims at the entire research and innovation cycle (Technology readiness level 1-9).

Investment 6: Financial instruments to support innovation.

The objective of the investment is to contribute to the increase of the share of innovative businesses and

invest in companies with technological and innovative potential.

The measure consists of the set-up of financial instruments to invest in early stage (seed phase) as well

as growth phase companies.

75

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial

support

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Reform 1:

Reform of

governance,

evaluation

and support in

science,

research and

innovation

Milestone Reform of the

governance and

support for

research,

development

and innovation.

Entry into

force of the

Amendment

to Law

172/2005

Q1 2022 The amendment to the

Act shall strengthen the

coordinating role of the

new governance

structure for research,

development and

innovation (such as

defining the role of the

Slovak Government’s

Council for Science,

Technology and

Innovation and its

Secretariat placed under

the Government Office).

The law shall regulate

different types of public

support to ensure

coordination and

consistency of public

interventions. It shall

allow the gradual

integration of processes

and expert evaluation of

RD projects, the

simplification and

standardisation of RD

76

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

project evaluation

processes by agencies

2 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Reform 1:

Reform of

governance,

evaluation

and support in

science,

research and

innovation

Milestone Design of the

National

overarching

RDI Strategy

Adoption of

the National

RDI Strategy

by the

government

Q3 2022 The Government shall

approve the National

Strategy for the

Research, Development

and Innovation (RDI) to

become an overarching

document for all public

funding of RDI by 2030.

It shall reflect on past

experiences and offer

the horizontal

framework to integrate

existing strategies (such

as Smart Specialisation

Strategy). It shall

provide a strategic

framework and direction

for RDI policy, define

objectives and measures

to achieve them.

3 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Reform 2:

Milestone Reform of the

Slovak

Academy of

Science (SaS)

Entry into

force of an

amendment

to Act No

133/2002 on

SAS and an

amendment

Q4 2021 Entry into force of

amendments to the Acts,

which shall transform

the Slovak Academy of

Science (SAS) into a

public institution

allowing multi-source

77

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Reform of the

organisation

and funding

of non-

business

research

institutions, in

particular the

Slovak

Academy of

Sciences

to Act No

243/2017 on

the public

research

institution

financing, including

from the private sector

while ensuring full

protection of intellectual

property and financial

profitability.

4 9– More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

1: Promoting

international

cooperation

and

participation

in Horizon

Europe and

EIT projects

Milestone Launch of calls

for projects to

support the

participation of

Slovak actors in

Horizon Europe

Launch of

calls for

projects to

support the

participation

of Slovak

actors in

Horizon

Europe

3 Q4 2022 At least three calls for

projects shall be

launched to support the

participation of Slovak

actors in Horizon

Europe programme

under the following

schemes:

• Scheme to support the

preparation of

applications for Horizon

Europe

• Scheme to support

projects that have

obtained a Seal of

excellence or a high

score

78

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

• "Matching grants" for

successful projects in

H2020/Horizon Europe

5 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

1: Promoting

international

cooperation

and

participation

in Horizon

Europe and

EIT projects

Target Number of

projects aimed

at increasing

participation in

Horizon Europe

calls

Number of

projects

0 765

Q1 2026 Of the overall objective

of 770 projects, grant

awards to at least 765

projects under the calls

aiming at increasing

participation in the

Horizon Europe

programme.

6 9 –

More efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

2: Support for

cooperation

between

firms,

academia and

Milestone Launch of calls

for projects to

support

cooperation

between

companies,

academia and R

& D

organisations

and vouchers

Launch of

calls for

projects

support

cooperation

between

firms,

academia and

R & D

organisations

and vouchers

4 Q4 2022 At least four calls for

projects shall be

launched in compliance

with the DNSH

principle to support

cooperation between

companies, academia

and R&D organisations

and to support vouchers

schemes:

• “Matching” grants to

research institutions to

79

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

RD

organisations

leverage resources from

the private sector in the

framework of research

collaboration.

• establishing

"transformative and

innovative" consortia

• Voucher support

schemes, which include

innovation vouchers and

digital vouchers.

7 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

2: Support for

cooperation

between

firms,

academia and

RD

organisations

Target Number of

collaborative

projects and

vouchers

Number of

projects

0 3 538

Q4 2024 Of the overall objective

of 3 931 projects, grant

awards to at least 3 538

cooperation projects

between companies,

academia and R&D

organisations and

vouchers.

The investment is

expected to result in:

• Establishing at least 2

“transformative and

innovative” consortia

•2 760 collaborative

projects under matching

grants

•450 innovative and 720

digital vouchers

80

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

8 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

2: Support for

cooperation

between

firms,

academia and

RD

organisations

Milestone Implementation

of calls for

projects to

support

cooperation

between firms,

academia and

RD

organisations

and vouchers

Approval of

Government

Council for

science,

technology

and

innovation.

Q1 2026 An interim summary

report shall be approved

by the Government

Council for science,

technology and

innovation.

That report shall

examine the

contribution of the

completed and ongoing

projects under the calls

towards the objectives

of Component 9.

9 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

3: Excellent

science

Milestone Launch of calls

to support

excellent

researchers

Launch of

calls for

projects to

support

excellent

researchers

6 Q4 2022 At least six calls for

projects shall be

launched to support

excellent researchers in

compliance with the

DNSH principle under

the following schemes:

• fellowships for first

stage researchers – R1

• fellowships for

recognised researchers –

R2

• fellowships for

established researchers

– R3

81

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

• fellowships for leading

researchers - R4

• Large projects for

excellent researchers

• “Early stage” research

grants

• Capital booster for

existing R&D support

schemes

10 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

3: Excellent

science

Target Number of

excellent

researchers

supported

Number of

researchers

0 650 Q1 2024 Of the overall objective

to support 715

researchers, at least 650

excellent researchers,

are supported under the

calls.

The investment is

expected to result in:

• Selection of 15 large

grants to excellent

researcher teams

Support of:

• 425 fellowships for

researchers at different

career stages (R1-R4)

• 200 “Early stage”

research grants for

young researchers

• 90 projects under

capital booster

82

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

11 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

3: Excellent

science

Milestone Implementation

of calls to

support

excellent

researchers

Approval of

Government

Council for

science,

technology

and

innovation

Q1 2026 An interim summary

report shall be approved

by the Government

Council for science,

technology and

innovation.

That report shall

examine the

contribution of the

completed and ongoing

projects under the calls

towards the objectives

of Component 9.

12 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

4: Research

and

innovation to

decarbonise

the economy

Milestone Launch of calls

for thematic

demand-driven

projects

addressing the

challenges of

green transition

Launch of

calls for

thematic

demand-

driven

projects

addressing

the

challenges of

green

transition

2 Q4 2022 At least two thematic

calls for demand-driven

projects shall be

launched in compliance

with the DNSH

principle addressing the

challenges of green

transition, de-

carbonisation as well as

resilience and

adaptation to climate

change.

Support shall be

directed towards topics

that are foreseen in the

thematic priorities of

83

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Horizon Europe, such

as:

• Carbon-free energy

• electrification

• Hydrogen, battery

technologies and

alternative fuels

• Low-emission

industrial processes and

materials

• Bio-economy,

sustainable agriculture

and forestry.

Calls for projects shall

cumulatively cover the

whole research and

innovation cycle

(technology readiness

levels1-9)

13 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

4: Research

and

innovation to

Target Number of

selected projects

addressing the

challenges of

the green

transition

Number of

projects

0 27 Q4 2024 Of the overall objective

of 30 projects, grant

awards to to at least 27

projects, under the calls

addressing the

challenges of the green

transition and

decarbonisation

84

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

decarbonise

the economy

14 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

4: Research

and

innovation to

decarbonise

the economy

Milestone Implementation

of calls for

thematic

demand-driven

projects

addressing the

challenges of

green transition

Approval of

Government

Council for

science,

technology

and

innovation.

Q1 2026 An interim summary

report shall be approved

by the Government

Council for science,

technology and

innovation.

That report shall

examine the

contribution of the

completed and ongoing

projects under the calls

towards the objectives

of Component 9.

15 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

5: Research

and

innovation for

the

digitalisation

of the

economy

Milestone Launch of calls

for thematic

demand-driven

projects

addressing the

challenges of

digital transition

Launch of

calls for

thematic

demand-

driven

projects

addressing

the

challenges of

digital

transition

2 Q4 2022 At least two thematic

schemes (such as

demand-driven calls

and/or financial

instruments) for projects

shall be launched in

compliance with the

DNSH principle

addressing the

challenges of digital

transformation and

helping meet the EC’s

ambitions for digital

autonomy.

85

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

Support shall be

directed towards topics

in line with the thematic

priorities of Horizon

Europe, such as:

• Key digital

technologies (such as

cybersecurity; quantum

technologies for

cybersecurity, sensors

and the Internet of

Things;

microelectronics and

electronic components

and cloud solutions)

• Artificial intelligence

and robotics

Schemes for projects

shall cumulatively cover

the whole research and

innovation cycle

(technology readiness

level 1-9).

16 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

Target Number of RDI

projects selected

under the calls

addressing the

challenges of

digital

transformation.

Number of

projects

0 140 Q4 2024 Of the overall objective

of 155 projects,

grant/loan awards to at

least 140 projects under

the thematic schemes

(such as demand-driven

calls and/or financial

86

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

5: Research

and

innovation for

the

digitalisation

of the

economy

instruments) for

thematic projects

addressing digital

transformation

challenges.

17 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

5: Research

and

innovation for

the

digitalisation

of the

economy

Milestone Implementation

of calls for

thematic

demand-driven

projects

addressing the

challenges of

digital transition

Approval of

Government

Council for

science,

technology

and

innovation.

Q1 2026 An interim summary

report shall be approved

by the Government

Council for science,

technology and

innovation.

That report shall

examine the

contribution of the

completed and ongoing

projects under the calls

towards the objectives

of Component 9.

18 9 – More

efficient

governance

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

6: Financial

instruments to

Milestone Launch and

implementation

of financial

instruments to

support

innovation

Launch of the

investment

phase of

financial

instruments

to support

innovation in

line with the

2 Q4 2023 At least two financial

instruments shall be

launched in the

investment phase in line

with an investment

strategy/contractual

agreement, which

comply with “Do no

significant harm”

87

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

support

innovation

investment

strategy

Technical Guidance

(2021/C58/01)

principles requiring

exclusion criteria of the

investment and

compliance with the

relevant EU and

national environmental

legislation.

DNSH aspects shall be

properly reflected in the

contractual agreement

between Slovak

authorities and the

implementing

partners/financial

intermediaries.

The financial

instruments shall

support innovation in

enterprises and include

the following schemes:

• Capital input early in

business lifecycle

• Capital input to growth

stage companies

19 9 – More

efficient

governance

Target Number of

companies

supported

Number of

companies

0 36

Q2 2026 Of the overall objective

to support 40

companies, at least 36

88

Seq.

Num.

Related

measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators (for

targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

and

strengthening

RDI funding

– Investment

6: Financial

instruments to

support

innovation

through

financial

instruments

companies, are

supported by financial

instruments in the form

of capital inputs.

89

COMPONENT 10: Attracting and retaining talents

The objective of this component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan is to develop effective policies

to promote student and labour mobility, actively motivate highly qualified foreign experts (including

Slovak nationals), students and entrepreneurs to establish themselves in Slovakia. The aim of these

measures is the need to attract and retain human capital essential for Slovakia’s economic development.

The authorities’ ambition is to increase, over a five-year horizon, the share of highly qualified foreign

nationals in the workforce from 0.5% to 1% and to level the balance of outgoing and incoming students

to Slovak higher education institutions.

It is expected that no measure in this component does significant harm to environmental objectives within

the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, taking into account the description of the

measures and the mitigating steps set out in the recovery and resilience plan in accordance with the

DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).

Measures in this component shall contribute to addressing Country-Specific Recommendations to

Slovakia, in particular as regards “improving the quality and inclusiveness of education at all levels and

promoting skills” and “promoting the integration of disadvantaged groups” (Country-Specific

Recommendation 2, 2019), as well as “resilience of the health system in the areas of health workforce”

(Country-Specific Recommendation 1, 2020).

A.1. Description of the reforms and investments for non-repayable financial support

Reform 1: Reform of residence and labour legislation

Applicable work and residence permit procedures in Slovakia are in general demanding for both the

worker and the company and tend to be lengthy. The aim of this reform is to shorten and significantly

simplify these procedures for highly qualified third-country nationals, including their family members.

The reform shall use the existing fast-track scheme for national visa (D) in the interest of the country,

opening it up to a new category of highly qualified third-country nationals seeking employment. This

category of workers shall be exempted from the need to prove having a guaranteed job before entering

the country and shall be allowed to start working on a national visa (D) immediately after finding a job.

Compatibility with the revision of the Blue Card Directive shall be ensured.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2022.

Reform 2: Simplification of the regime for the recognition of qualifications and professional

qualifications for the exercise of regulated professions

This reform shall simplify the recognition of educational qualifications by foreign workers, in order to

facilitate their establishment in Slovakia.

For countries with a bilateral agreement in recognition of qualifications, applicants shall be exempt from

providing an attestation of the university’s accreditation to provide the relevant education. In addition,

the capacity of the Centre for Recognition of Educational Recognition shall be strengthened to speed up

the qualifications recognition process for all countries.

90

For qualifications of doctors the reform shall:

- reduce the time limits for the recognition of diplomas listed in Annex 3 to the Healthcare Providers

Act from three months to one month. Automatic recognition of coordinated specialisations at EU

level of doctors and dentists;

- reduce the time limits for the recognition of diplomas not listed in Annex 3 to the Act on healthcare

providers issued by competent authorities under the legislation of the Member States from three

months to two months;

- reduce the time limits for the recognition of diplomas issued by competent authorities under the laws

of third countries from three months to two months. Adjust the time limits for the recognition of

diplomas issued in another country from four months to two months;

- extend the institution of temporary traineeships beyond the current crisis period, by amending Article

30a of the Healthcare Providers Act.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2022.

Investment 1: Support tools and assistance for specific target groups

The objective of this measure is to help integrate highly qualified foreign workers, foreign higher

education students, Slovaks living abroad and family members of these target groups into Slovak society.

This measure consists in providing consultations or support services for these target groups.

Investment 2: Strengthening relations with the diaspora

The objective of this measure is to strengthen relations with Slovaks abroad, increase the likelihood of

their return home and promote brain circulation.

The measure consists in delivering events with Slovaks abroad.

Investment 3: Scholarships for domestic and foreign talented students

The objective of this measure is to financially support domestic and foreign talented students. This

measure consists in awarding scholarships for these target groups.

Investment 4: Promoting internationalisation in the academic environment

The objective of this measure is to support internationalisation of higher education institutions or research

institutions in Slovakia.

The measure consists in adopting a strategy for the internationalisation of universities, which shall

include support to joint university programmes, measures to attract foreign students and academics and

implement the principles of the Human Resources Strategy for Research (HRS4R) and delivering

projects aimed at internationalisation of higher education institutions or research institutions.

91

A.2. Milestones, targets, indicators, and timetable for monitoring and implementation for non-repayable financial support

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

1 10 – Attracting and

retaining talents -

Reform 1: Reform of

residence and labour

legislation

Milestone Scheme defining a

new category of

applicants for

national visa (D).

Adoption of

the scheme

through a

Government

Resolution

and entry

into force.

Q1 2022 Adoption of a scheme

defining the category of

applicants for national visa

(D) in the interest of the

Slovak Republic The new

visa category that covers

highly qualified third-

country nationals seeking

employment exempted

from the need to prove a

guaranteed job before

entering Slovakia shall be

introduced. The persons

shall be able to start

working on a national visa

(D) immediately. The

measure shall concern

categories such as

graduates from world-

leading universities

(regardless of the field);

third-level graduates of the

world’s leading

universities and research

institutions (regardless of

the field); other selected

groups according to

Slovakia’s economic

interests (e.g. IT experts,

92

Seq.

Num.

Related measure

(Reform or

Investment)

Milestone/Target

Name

Qualitative

indicators

(for

milestones)

Quantitative indicators

(for targets)

Indicative

timeline for

completion

Description and clear

definition of each

milestone and target

Unit of

measure Baseline Goal Quarter Year

experts in high value-

added sectors, doctors).

2 10 – Attracting and

retaining talents -

Reform 1: Reform of

residence and labour

legislation

Milestone Facilitation of the

return to the country