Good Practice - Policy
A vision for more attractive rural areas in Slovakia
A participatory, evidence-based governance initiative builds a long-term national vision and institutional framework for more attractive and resilient rural areas in Slovakia.
Summary
The Slovak ‘Vision for More Attractive Rural Areas’ was developed through the EU-funded PoliRural and PoliRuralPlus projects to address fragmented governance and weak cross-sectoral coordination in Slovak rural development. Since 2019, the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, the Slovak Rural Parliament and partners have led a mission-oriented foresight process involving more than 2 500 stakeholders from national, regional and local levels.
The Vision proposes a coherent governance framework with stronger inter-ministerial cooperation, better alignment of national and EU funding and structured community participation. Presented in Parliament in 2021, it now guides ongoing policy dialogue and joint national conferences.
Results
- A nationally endorsed ‘Vision for More Attractive Rural Areas 2040’ developed jointly with more than 2 500 stakeholders, ensuring consensus across political, institutional and territorial levels;
- Rural issues elevated to a cross-party priority, strengthening the political relevance of rural development;
- Increased coordination between ministries, municipalities and civil society through regular national conferences aligned with the EU Rural Pact;
- A monitoring committee established to guide follow-up actions, maintain dialogue and track progress;
- A proposed governance framework, including an Inter-Ministerial Rural Development Council, Joint Rural Development Fund and community-led mechanisms to improve policy coherence;
- Enhanced use of foresight, digital tools and rural observatories to support evidence-based policymaking;
- Strengthened capacity of rural stakeholders to participate in strategic planning, contributing to more resilient, inclusive and future-ready rural regions.
Promoter
- Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, academic/research institution
- Slovak Rural Parliament, civil society organisation
- Slovak Rural Youth Parliament, civil society organisation
- New Edu, n.o., civil society organisation
Funding
Budget: EUR 331 000 (2019-2021); EUR 302 000 (2024-2026)
Sources:
- Horizon 2020 – PoliRural project (2019-2021)
- Horizon Europe – PoliRuralPlus project (2024-2026)
Resources
Documents
Context
Slovak rural areas face persistent challenges including depopulation, limited infrastructure and underused development potential. Policies impacting rural regions are scattered across ministries, resulting in weak coordination, inconsistent implementation and limited impact. Local authorities and communities often lack opportunities to shape national strategies or influence investment priorities.
To address these gaps, the ‘Vision for More Attractive Rural Areas 2040’ was developed through participatory foresight under the EU-funded PoliRural project and further advanced under PoliRuralPlus. It promotes an integrated and cross-sectoral approach to rural development, with mechanisms for inter-ministerial cooperation, better funding alignment and structured community participation. Supported through digital tools and rural observatories, the Vision aims to provide stability, continuity and long-term direction for Slovakia’s rural policy.
Objectives
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Create a coherent governance system for rural development through an Inter-Ministerial Rural Development Council and a dedicated national rural office;
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Improve policy coherence and funding efficiency via a Joint Rural Development Fund aligned with national and EU resources;
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Strengthen community participation through rural proofing, capacity building and mechanisms that reflect local needs;
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Enhance evidence-based policymaking through digital platforms, AI tools and rural observatories;
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Reduce fragmentation and provide long-term strategic direction for rural Slovakia to 2040 and beyond.
Activities, key actors, and timeline
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Between 2019 and 2021, the PoliRural project coordinated a participatory foresight process to co-create the ‘Vision for More Attractive Rural Areas 2040’, involving over 1 000 stakeholders across government, academia, municipalities, NGOs and communities through 15 co-design stages. The initiative intended to address fragmented governance and propose an integrated strategic framework.
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In 2021, the Draft Zero of the Vision was presented in the national parliament on Rural Day, opening political dialogue on a constitutional foundation for long-term rural policy and coordinated support for rural territories.
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Since 2022, the Slovak Rural Parliament has led national consultations with ministries, regional and local authorities, and civil society. Joint conferences with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Association of Towns and Municipalities fostered cross-sectoral alignment and inter-ministerial cooperation.
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Under the PoliRuralPlus project (2024-2026), partners are preparing proposals for an Inter-Ministerial Rural Development Council, designing a Joint Rural Development Fund, piloting digital and participatory tools, and developing mechanisms for rural proofing and data-driven decision-making.
Success factors/lessons learnt
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The Vision is the first comprehensive strategic document for rural Slovakia, built through participatory foresight and inclusive governance – broad stakeholder mobilisation (2 500+ actors) enabled strong ownership, legitimacy and continuity across political cycles.
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Integration of digital tools, foresight and policy design is an innovative model linking research to governance reform.
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Sustained dialogue, trust-building and transparency proved essential in addressing fragmented governance and weak coordination.
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The approach is replicable in countries with similar governance gaps and demographic pressures, offering a model for cross-sectoral cooperation.
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Alignment with the EU rural vision and Pact increases sustainability and ensures long-term policy coherence.
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Key lesson: rural transformation requires systemic collaboration, multi-level engagement, stable governance structures and a shared long-term vision supported by data and participatory processes.
Contacts
Marieta Okenková, marietaokenkova@gmail.com, +421 724 883 464