Civil society in Slovakia: Current state and challenges

Abstract

This paper presents the state of civil society in Slovakia based on the analysis for the fourth comparative report of the European Union-Russia Civil Society Forum. Using standard research methods (desk research, structured interviews and focus group), the paper provides a brief civil society overview on history, statistics and funding. Further, it analyses legal and political conditions for civil society organisations facing the problems of the growth of far right populism. The interviews were conducted with the representatives of fifteen Slovak civil society organisations of various sizes (from local to national) and from various fields of activity (education, social services and inclusion, cultures, human rights, environment protection, social entrepreneurship, employment, social housing, healthcare). To verify results and findings from the interviews and formulate additional conclusions, a focus group with was seven experts was organised. Using these methods, the paper identifies the biggest challenges and possible solutions underpinning the current situation of civil society in Slovakia.