Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

![european flag](./../../../images/eclogo.jpg)EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 11.4.2025

COM(2025) 175 final

2025/0092(NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION

amending Implementing Decision (EU) (ST 10156/21 INIT; ST 10156/21 ADD 1) of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia

{SWD(2025) 93 final}

2025/0092 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION

amending Implementing Decision (EU) (ST 10156/21 INIT; ST 10156/21 ADD 1) 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 Facility
[1](#footnote2)
, 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 has proposed its positive assessment to the Council. The Council approved the positive assessment by means of the Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021
[2](#footnote3)
. That Council Implementing Decision was amended on 14 July 2023
[3](#footnote4)
.

(2)On 21 March 2025, 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 57 measures.

(4)Slovakia has explained that 10 measures are partially no longer achievable, because of unexpected technical difficulties that significantly delayed its implementation; due to insufficient demand and the fact that tenders did not attract enough bidders; and due to supply chain disruptions. This concerns, respectively, milestone 3 under investment 1 named The operation of the industry decarbonisation scheme under component 4 named Decarbonisation of Industry; target 5 under investment 1 named The adaptation of regions to climate change with an emphasis on nature conservation and biodiversity development under component 5 named Adaptation to climate change; target 15 under investment 1 named Removing barriers in school buildings under component 6 named Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education; milestone 8 under investment 2 named Completion of the school infrastructure under component 7 named Education for the 21. century; target 3 under investment 1 named Buildings for the reorganised court system under component 15 named Judicial reform; target 12 under investment 3 named Modernisation of the fire and rescue system under component 16 named Fight against corruption and money laundering, security and protection of the population. On this basis, Slovakia has requested to amend the wording of the aforementioned milestones and targets. Furthermore, Slovakia has requested to remove targets 5 and 6 under investment 1 named The adaptation of regions to climate change with an emphasis on nature conservation and biodiversity development under component 5 named Adaptation to climate change, and investment 6 named Establishment of a repository of psychdiagnostic methods under component 12 named Human, modern and accessible mental healthcare. Furthermore, Slovakia has requested to extend the timeline of milestone 6 under investment 2 named Digitalisation and analytical capacities, under component 15 named Judicial reform; milestone 7 under investment 2 named Equipping and digitalising the police force under component 16 named Fight against corruption and money laundering, security and protection of the population. The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(5)Slovakia has explained that one measure is totally no longer achievable due to delays in public procurement. This concerns milestone 7 under investment 2 named Digitalisation and analytical capacities under component 15 named Judicial reform​. On this basis, Slovakia has requested to remove the aforementioned milestone. The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(6)Slovakia has explained that 14 measures have been amended to implement better alternatives in order to achieve the original ambition of the measure. This concerns milestone 1 under reform 1 named The harmonisation of support mechanisms for the renovation of family houses under component 2 named Renovation of buildings; target 7 under investment 2 named Renovation of historical and listed public buildings under component 2 named Renovation of buildings; target 5 under investment 1 named Promoting international cooperation and participation in Horizon Europe and EIT projects under component 9 named More efficient management and strengthening of R&D&I funding; target 10 under investment 2 named New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment under component 11 named Modern and accessible healthcare; investment 1 named Project management and project preparation of investments, and target 3 under investments 3, 4 and 5 named Building psycho-social centres, Completing the psychiatric stationary network, and Establishment of specialised centres for autism spectrum disorders under component 12 named Human, modern, and accessible mental health care; target 8 under investment 1 named Enhancing community-based social care capacities under component 13 named Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care; target 10 under investment 1 named Enhancing community-based social care capacities under component 13 named Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care; target 12 under investment 2 named Extension and renewal of after-care and nursing capacities under component 13 on Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care; target 13 under investment 3 named Enhancing and restoring palliative care capacities under component 13 Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care; target 11 under investment 3 named Modernisation of the fire and rescue system under component 16 named Fight against corruption and money laundering, security, and protection of the population; target 12 under investment 3 named Engaging in multi-country European projects related to the digital economy  under component 17 named Digital Slovakia; targets 14 and 15 under investment 4 named Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies under component 17 named Digital Slovakia; milestone 11 under Reform 2 named Supporting the green transition and under component 19 named REPowerEU. On this basis, Slovakia has requested to amend the wording of the aforementioned milestones and targets. The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(7)Slovakia has explained that 11 measures have been amended to implement a better alternative allowing to reduce the administrative burden, whilst still reaching the objectives of the respective measure. This concerns target 12 under investment 3 named Digitalisation in health under component 11 named Modern and accessible healthcare; targets 7, 8, 9 and 10 under investment 1 named Enhancing community-based social care capacities, and target 14 under investment 3 named Enhancing and restoring palliative care capacities under component 13 named Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-healthcare; milestone 2 under investment 1 named Capacities for reforms to reduce regulatory burden, and milestone 3 under reform 1 named Reducing regulatory burden for businesses under component 14 named Improve the business environment; targets 3 and 4 of investment 1 named Buildings for the reorganised court system, and milestone 9 of investment 2 named Digitalisation and analytical capacities under component 15 named Judicial reform; targets 4, 5 and 6 under investment 1 named Better services for citizens and businesses under component 17 named Digital Slovakia. On this basis, Slovakia has requested to amend the wording of the aforementioned milestones and targets. Furthermore, Slovakia has requested to remove reform 3 named Modernisation of diagnostic methods and treatments under component 12 named Human, modern and accessible mental healthcare. Furthermore, Slovakia has requested to shorten the timeline of target 5 under investment 1 named Support tools and assistance for returnees, highly qualified third-country workers and their family members and foreign higher education students studying in Slovakia under component 10 named Attracting and retaining talents; and target 8 under investment 2 named Digitalisation and analytical capacities under component 15 named Judicial reform. The Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

(8)Slovakia has further requested to use the resources freed up by the removal of measures and the decrease in their level of implementation to add two new measures and increase the level of implementation of 10 measures. This concerns one new target 9 under new investment 2 named on Building forests resilient to climate change and milestone 8 under reform 2 named Reforming nature conservation and water management in the countryside under component 5 named Adaptation to climate change. On this basis, Slovakia has requested to add the aforementioned milestone, target and investment description. Furthermore, Slovakia has requested to increase the level of required implementation of the following milestones, targets and measure descriptions. This concerns target 7 under investment 2 named Renovation of public historical and listed buildings under component 2 named Renovation of buildings; target 10 under investment 2 named Promoting clean passenger transport under component 3 named Sustainable transport; target 3 under reform 1 named 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 under component 6 named Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education; milestone 8 under investment 2 named Completion of the school infrastructure under component 7 named Education for the 21st century; target 10 under investment 1 named Investment support for the strategic development of universities under component 8 named Improving the performance of Slovak universities; target 10 under investment 2 named New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment under component 11 named Modern and accessible healthcare; targets 8 and 10 under investment 1 named Enhancing community-based social care capacities under component 13 named Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care; target 15 under investment 1 named Modernisation and digitalisation of transmission system and regional distribution systems, target 22 under investment 4 named Supporting the renovation of households at risk of energy poverty, and target 25 under investment 6 named Promoting clean passenger transport under component 19 named REPowerEU​. The Council Implementing Decision of Slovakia should be amended accordingly.

(9)The Commission considers that the reasons put forward by Slovakia justify the amendments pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, and the Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 should be amended accordingly.

Distribution of milestones and targets

(10)The distribution of milestones and targets in instalments should be modified to take into account the amendments to the plan and the indicative timeline presented by Slovakia.

Corrections of clerical errors

(11)Two clerical errors have been identified in the text of the Council Implementing Decision, affecting one milestone and one target and two measures under two components. The Council Implementing Decision should be amended to correct these clerical errors that do not reflect the content of the RRP submitted to the Commission on 29 April 2021, as agreed between the Commission and Slovakia. Those clerical errors relate to milestone 2 under investment 1 named capacities for reforms to reduce regulatory burden under component 14 named improve the business environment; and target 5 of investment 2 named equipping and digitalising the police force under component 16 named fight against corruption and money laundering, security and protection of the population. These corrections do not affect the implementation of the measures concerned.

Commission’s assessment

(12)The Commission has assessed the amended RRP against the assessment criteria laid down in Article 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241.

Do no significant harm

(13)In accordance with Article 19(3), point (d), of and Annex V, criterion 2.4, to Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the amended RRP is expected to ensure that no measure (Rating A) for the implementation of reforms and investments projects included in this RRP does significant harm to environmental objectives within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council
[4](#footnote5)
 (the principle of ‘do no significant harm’).

(14)Slovakia has submitted an assessment of the principle of ‘do no significant harm’ for one new investment (target 9 of new Investment 2 on building forests resilient to climate change under component 5 on adaptation to climate change). The information provided shows that the plan is expected to ensure compliance with this principle. Other modifications of the measures included in the original RRP do not have an impact on the assessment of the principle of ‘do no significant harm’.

Contribution to the green transition including biodiversity

(15)In accordance with Article 19(3), point (e), of and Annex V, criterion 2.5, 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 41.08% of the amended RRP’s total allocation and 84.66% 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.

(16)The modification of the plan does not materially impact its ambition towards the green transition despite a decrease of 4.6 percentage points in the share of the total allocation to measures supporting climate objectives mainly due to EUR 327 million decrease in the allocation to investment 1 “The operation of the industry decarbonisation scheme” under component 4 “Decarbonisation of industry”. The modified 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.

Contribution to the digital transition

(17)In accordance with Article 19(3), point (f), of and Annex V, criterion 2.6, 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 21.02% of the amended RRP’s total allocation calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex VII to that Regulation.

(18)The modification of the plan reinforces its ambition towards the digital transition. In particular, due to the increase in the digital contribution of investment investment 3 “Modernisation of the fire and rescue system” under component 16 “Fight against corruption and money laundering, security and protection of the population” and investment 1 “Modernisation and digitalisation of transmission system and regional distribution systems” under component 19 “REPowerEU”.

Protection of the financial interests of the Union

(19)In accordance with Article 19(3), point (j) and Annex V, criterion 2.10 to Regulation (EU) 2021/241, the arrangements proposed in the amended RRP including the REPowerEU chapter and the additional measures contained in this Council Implementing Decision are adequate (Rating A) to prevent, detect and correct corruption, fraud and conflicts of interests when using the funds provided under that Regulation, and the arrangements are expected to effectively avoid double funding under that Regulation and other Union programmes. This is without prejudice to the application of other instruments and tools to promote and enforce compliance with Union law, including for preventing, detecting, and correcting corruption, fraud, and conflicts of interest, and for protecting the Union budget in line with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council
[5](#footnote6)
. 

(20)Since the previous assessment, the Commission has had access to information on the Slovak audit and control system’s actual implementation. This includes the findings of the audit on the protection of the financial interests of the Union performed by the Commission in Slovakia.

(21)In light of this information, the Commission considers that the internal control system of the Slovak RRP is overall adequate, but it has some deficiencies that should be addressed through a dedicated audit and control milestone. The internal control system described in the modified Slovak recovery and resilience plan and arrangements proposed, including the REPowerEU chapter, are based on robust processes and structures, clearly identifying the roles and responsibilities of different bodies involved in the implementation, monitoring, control, and audit of the plan, as well as for their interactions. The National Implementation and Coordination Authority is responsible for the preparation and transmission of applications for payment of financial support, the management declaration and the summary of audits. The audit actors, their relationships and their administrative capacity are also explained. Management verifications performed by implementing bodies are not only checking the absence of serious irregularities but also the fulfilment of milestones and targets. Arrangements and mechanisms to collect and to ensure access to data of final recipients, contractors, sub-contractors and beneficial owners are explained and the recordkeeping obligation provided for in Article 22(2), points (d) and (f), of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 is assigned to implementing bodies and final recipients.

(22)An additional milestone on audit and control should be introduced. The milestone requires the adoption of a revised methodology for the management of corruption risks in Slovakia to be applicable to all bodies implementing the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The milestone also requires the adoption of a procedure of supervision by the National Implementation and Coordination Authority of the implementation of the methodology for the management of corruption risks. The milestone should be fulfilled at the latest by the time of the sixth request for payment to the Commission.

Any other assessment criteria

(23)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 regarding the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the RRP against the assessment criteria laid down in Article 19(3), points (c), (g), (h), (j), and (k) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241.

Measures supporting investment operations contributing to the objectives of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

(24)In accordance with Article 4(4) of the 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 the Regulation (EU) 2024/795. However, Slovakia considered that no project having been awarded a Sovereignty Seal was to be included in the amended RRP.

Positive assessment

(25)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 in the form of non-repayable financial support should be set out.

Financial contribution

(26)The estimated total costs of Slovakia’s amended RRP is EUR 6 408 465 020. As the amount of the estimated total costs of the amended RRP is higher than the updated maximum financial contribution available for Slovakia, the financial contribution determined in accordance with Article 4(a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Article 20(4) and 21a(6) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 allocated for Slovakia amended RRP should be equal to the total amount of the maximum financial contribution available for Slovakia’s amended RRP. This amount is equal to EUR 6 408 465 019.

(27)Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the RRP for Slovakia should therefore be mended accordingly. For the sake of clarity, the Annex to that Council Implementing Decision should be replaced entirely,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

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:

(1) Article 1 is replaced by the following:

“Article 1

Approval of the assessment of the RRP

The assessment of the modified RRP of Slovakia on the basis of the criteria provided for in Article 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 is approved. The reforms and investment projects under the RRP, the arrangements and timetable for the monitoring and implementation of the RRP, including the relevant milestones and targets, the relevant indicators relating to the fulfilment of the envisaged milestones and targets, and the arrangements for providing full access by the Commission to the underlying relevant data are set out in the Annex to this Decision.”;

(2) the Annex is replaced by the text in the Annex to this Decision:

Article 2
  
Addressee

This Decision is addressed to the Slovak Republic.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

   The President

:   [(1)](#footnoteref2)
       OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17.
:   [(2)](#footnoteref3)
       ST 10156/21 INIT; ST 10156/21 ADD 1; ST 10156/21 ADD 1 COR 1.
:   [(3)](#footnoteref4)
       ST 11205/23 INIT; ST 11205/23 ADD 1; ST 11205/23 ADD 1 COR 1.
:   [(4)](#footnoteref5)
       Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2020 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13).
:   [(5)](#footnoteref6)
       Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 1).

[Top](#document1)

![european flag](./../../../images/eclogo.jpg)EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 11.4.2025

COM(2025) 175 final

ANNEX

to the

Proposal for a COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION

amending Implementing Decision (EU) (ST 10156/21 INIT; ST 10156/21 ADD 1) of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia

{SWD(2025) 93 final}

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 roll-out 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).

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.

Investment 1: Construction of the new renewable electricity sources

The purpose of the measure is to support the roll out of investments into the new renewable sources of electricity. Of the overall objective to increase the new renewable electricity capacity by 122.4 MW, the support scheme shall deliver at least 120 MW of new capacity induced by the new renewable sources under the measure connected to the grid. The competitive auction mechanism shall be open to a wide range of renewable technologies, with clear project delivery deadlines and rules. No investments to hydropower shall be eligible under Investment 1 (Component 1). The Ministry of Economy shall be responsible for the implementation of the scheme and collecting the information on realised capacity from project promoters.

The auction support scheme shall respect the investment policies as set out under the milestone 3 of the Component 1 (Reform 2: Legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources’).

The implementation of the investment is expected to start by 30 June 2021 and shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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

The objective of the measure is to extend the technological lifetime, upgrade and increase the efficiency of existing renewable energy source capacities, as well as expand sustainable biomethane production in line with RED II. The modernization shall concern the refurbishment of biogas stations, the transformation of biogas-based electricity generation facilities into biomethane plants, and hydropower generation facilities. The scheme shall deliver at least 83 MW of modernised (repowering) installed capacity connected to the grids that are expected to be reconstructed for electricity generation or biomethane production, supported under the measure.

The Ministry of Economy shall be responsible for the implementation of the investment and collecting the information on realised capacity from project promoters.

The support for the different types of modernized renewable equipment shall be assessed separately, taking into account the principle of cost-effectivenessThe support schemes shall respect the investment policies as set out under the milestone 3 of the Component 1 (Reform 2: Legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources’).

The implementation of the investment is expected to start by 1 January 2022 and shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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

The purpose of the investment is to increase the flexibility of Slovak electricity network. The phasing out of the flexible fossil electricity sources causes a loss of balancing performance, with a negative impact on the system’s ability to integrate variable renewable energy sources.

The investment shall target the support to electricity storages facilities, including hydrogen-based solutions, and to increasing the electricity balancing capacity in hydro-power plants. The support scheme shall deliver at least 52 MW cumulative increase of balancing capacity, induced by the new storage capacities and increase of balancing capacity of existing hydropower plants, connected to the grid. The exact breakdown of 52 MW target shall depend on demand of relevant subjects. The investments into the balancing capacity of the hydropower plants shall not exceed EUR 12 000 000 under the measure. The investments shall be highly complementary to other actions in the component, as it contributes to increasing the free grid capacity for integrating the renewable energy sources.

The support shall be granted under the technologically specific schemes, taking into account the principle of cost-effectiveness. The schemes shall respect the conditions on investment policies as specified under the milestone 3 of the Component 1 (Reform 2: Legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources’).

The implementation of the investment is expected to start by 1 January 2022 and shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 electricity system | Joint public declaration by the Ministry of Economy and the Slovak transmission system operator Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava, a.s. |  |  |  | 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 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 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) |  |  |  | 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 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 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 instalations producing biomethane, greenhouse gas emmission 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 – Investment 1: Construction of the new renewable electricity sources | Target | New renewable energy source capacity |  | MW | 0 | 120 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to increase the new renewable electricity capacity by 122.4 MW, the support scheme shall under the measure deliver at least 120 MW of new renewable electricity sources capacity connected to the grid.    The support mechanism shall take the form of auctions for investment support for new sources of electricity from renewable energy sources. The support scheme shall respect the conditions on investment policies as specified under the milestone 3 (‘1 – Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure - Reform 2:  Legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources’). |
| 5 | 1 – Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure – Investment 2: Modernising the existing renewable electricity sources (repowering) | Target | Reconstructed renewable energy source capacity |  | MW | 0 | 83 | Q2 | 2026 | At least 83 MW increase in modernised capacity (repowering) for renewable electricity generation or biomethane production, induced by connection to the grids of the modernized capacities under the measure.  The support for the different types of modernized equipment shall be assessed separately, taking into account the principle of cost-effectiveness. This shall include modernisation of biogas and hydropower stations as well as the transformation of biogas-based electricity generation facilities into biomethane plants. The support schemes shall respect the conditions on investment policies as specified under the milestone 3 (‘1 – Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure - Reform 2:  Legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources’). |
| 6 | 1 – Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure – Investment 3: Increasing flexibility of electricity systems for greater renewables integration | Target | Cumulative increase in capacity of installations increasing the flexibility of energy systems |  | MW | 0 | 52 | Q2 | 2026 | At least 52 MW increase of new electricity storage facilities, induced by the entry into operation of the new storage capacities under the measure. The scheme shall support the installation of new capacity of battery systems, electrolysis and an increase in the balancing capacity of the hydropower plants. The exact breakdown of 52 MW target is expected to depend on demand of relevant subjects. The investments into the balancing capacity of the hydropower plants shall not exceed EUR 12 000 000 under the measure.    The support shall be granted under the technologically specific schemes, taking into account the principle of cost-effectiveness. The support schemes shall respect the conditions on investment policies as specified under the milestone 3 (‘1 – Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure - Reform 2:  Legal framework for the promotion of renewable energy sources’). |

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: Improving energy efficiency of family houses.  

The objective of the investment is to complete the renovation of at least 25 164 single family houses, while achieving on average at least 30% primary energy savings. The investment is targeted to the owners of older family houses. In addition to traditional energy savings measures such as thermal insulation, window replacement, the mechanism shall enable replacing inefficient heat and hot water sources with high efficiency installations or installing new renewable energy devices. Where possible, measures to increase climate resilience of buildings (such as vegetation roofs, rainwater capture) shall apply. To mobilise the comprehensive and green renovation, support schemes shall include a combination of mandatory and optional part. A financial contribution of owners is expected. Energy savings shall be verified primarily through energy performance certificates or other corresponding documents.  

Investment measures linked to renovation of buildings shall comply with DNSH requirements, including, the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste and the gas boiler replacement scheme, which shall be a small part of the overall renovation programme.

In case biomass boilers are included in the renovation scheme, the replacement of obsolete coal/oil/biomass 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. In addition, the replacement of obsolete gas boilers by biomass boilers is possible if replaced by pellet based biomass boilers in one of the two highest energy efficiency classes under the energy labelling regulation. No replacement of gas boilers by biomass boilers is allowed in Air Quality zones with exceedance of PM10 limit values.

The implementation of the investment is expected to start at the latest by 30 September 2022 and shall be completed by 30 June 2026. 

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 1000 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.  

Historical and listed public buildings are among the worst energy performing buildings and require a tailored-made approach to preserve and protect their cultural value and heritage. The objective of the investment is to improve the energy performance and structural conditions of the historical and listed public buildings while protecting its historical and cultural values and improving accessibility of the buildings. Of the overall objective to renovate 112 467 m2, at least 101 220 m2 floor areas of historical and listed public buildings are renovated, while achieving on average at least 30% of primary energy savings. The investment is expected to result in renovation of around 100 buildings and shall be accompanied by an information campaign. Energy savings shall be monitored and verified through energy performance certificates.  

Investment measures linked to renovation of buildings shall comply with DNSH requirements, including the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste and the boiler replacement scheme, which shall be a small part of the overall renovation programme.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026. 

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.   

 

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: Improving 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. |
| 3 | 2 – Renovation of buildings – Investment 1: Improving the energy efficiency of family houses | Target | Number of renovated family houses achieving on average at least 30% primary energy savings |  | Number | 0 | 13 000 | Q4 | 2024 | 13 000 single family houses shall be renovated in line with the requirements of the support schemes including the compliance with the DNSH principle and to provide incentives for achieving on an average at least 30% primary energy savings and additional complementary measures. Energy savings of the renovated houses shall be verified primarily through the energy performance certificate, or other corresponding documents. . |
| 4 | 2 – Renovation of buildings – Investment 1: Improving the energy efficiency of family houses | Target | Number of renovated family houses achieving on average at least 30% primary energy savings |  | Number | 13 000 | 25 164 | Q2 | 2026 | In total 25 164 single family houses shall be renovated in line with the requirements of the schemes including the compliance with the DNSH principle and to provide incentives for achieving on an average at least 30% primary energy savings and additional complementary measures. Energy savings of the renovated houses shall be verified primarily through the energy performance certificate, or other corresponding documents. . |
| 5 | 2. Renovation of buildings – Reform 2: Increasing transparency and streamlining decisions of the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic | 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 1000 state-owned monuments shall be adopted by the Monuments Board to provide diagnostics of the basic technical aspects, construction, economic, energy-related and other aspects of the relevant state-owned monuments to facilitate renovation decisions. |
| 6 | 2- Renovation of buildings – Investment 2: Renovation of public historical and listed buildings | Target | Overall area (m2) of renovated public historical and listed buildings achieving at least 30 % of the primary energy savings |  | Area (m2) | 0 | 48 011 | Q4 | 2024 | Of the overall objective to renovate 52 812 m2, at least 48 011 m2 of historic and listed public buildings, are renovated in line with the requirements of the open call, which shall define conditions to achieve on an average at least 30% primary energy savings, compliance with DNSH principles and incentivize implementation of other complementary measures (such as rainwater retention, removal of asbestos, accessibility of buildings).. Energy savings shall be monitored and verified for renovated buildings through energy performance certificates. |
| 7 | 2- Renovation of buildings – Investment 2: Renovation of public historical and listed buildings | Target | Overall area (m2) of renovated public historical and listed buildings  achieving at least 30% of the primary energy savings |  | Area (m2) | 48 011 | 101 220 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to renovate 112 467 m2, at least 101 220 m2 of historic and listed public buildings, are renovated in line with the requirements of the open call, which shall define conditions to achieve on average at least 30% primary energy savings, compliance with DNSH principles and incentivize implementation of other complementary measures (such as rainwater retention, removal of asbestos, accessibility of buildings). Energy savings shall be monitored and verified for renovated buildings through energy performance certificates. |
| 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 simplify the rules for the use of construction and demolition waste. |

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 need market conditions for the suppliers of transport machinery.

The component includes four reforms and four 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).

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.   

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;

·By 31 December 2026 an integrated transport system is created, allowing multi-modal public passenger transport to travel on a single ticket. It shall be operational in at least 6 counties.

The last milestone related to the implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 investment shall support decarbonisation by electrification of railway lines, upgrading railway lines, by constructing or modernising tram and trolleybus lines, and constructing cycling infrastructure. A "redesign of the European Timetabling Process – TTR" shall take place and a new security system based on digital technologies shall be introduced to enable the automation of rail traffic management. The investment shall be based on Reform 1.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 2 promoting clean passenger transport.

The investment shall do so by increasing the attractiveness of rail passenger transport and downstream suburban and urban transport. In densely populated peri-urban areas and on major transport corridors between major cities and metropolitan areas, the supply of connections shall be increased. New or upgraded rolling stock shall be put into operation. Investments shall be carried out in the form of dedicated subsidies on a non-discriminatory basis using tools for analysing traffic data and data. The investment is supported by Reform 2.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 3 on the development of intermodal freight transport.

The investment shall support the purchase of intermodal transport units and loading facilities involving private capital and the launch of new intermodal routes on selected routes. In order to increase the volume of transport in more environmentally friendly intermodal transport, the State shall encourage the purchase of intermodal transport units and loading facilities involving private capital. At the same time, the State shall provide support for the launch of new intermodal routes on selected routes. The envisaged State aid schemes foresee (subject to their approval by the European Commission) only partial funding from the mechanism and the selection of companies that shall receive support following public calls with clearly defined non-discriminatory rules.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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

The investment shall focus on recharging points for electric cars and hydrogen refuelling points. A financial mechanism of aid schemes for the construction of recharging points for electric cars and hydrogen refuelling points shall be established. The system shall ensure the construction of the skeletal infrastructure of ultra-fast-absorbing points, the available charging infrastructure at the level of all districts of the Slovak Republic, thereby encouraging the faster development of alternative-fuel passenger and freight transport, leading to the modernisation of the vehicle fleet in order to reduce overall emissions in road transport. This investment is supported by Reform 4.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 – Reform 1: Reform of the preparation of transport investment projects | Milestone | The amendment to the Railways Act and related legislation on transport infrastructure parameters | Entry into force of an amendment to the Railway Act by the National Council of the SR 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 |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | The legislative amendments shall simplify and streamline the legislative and technical requirements for transport infrastructure 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, integrate and manage public transport |  |  |  | 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. |
| 5 | 3 – Sustainable Transport – Reform 2: Public passenger transport reform | Milestone | Implementation 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 counties 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 | The quantitative indicator refers to the number of counties 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 transport infrastructure | Target | Length of new cycling infrastructure (km) |  | Length (km) | 0 | 161,8 | Q2 | 2026 | The quantitative indicator refers to the length of newly built cycling infrastructure (in km). The target includes cycling paths and bicycle parking spaces. |
| 8 | 3 – Sustainable transport – Investment 1: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure | Target | Length of clean passenger rail infrastructure reconstructed or upgraded |  | Length  (weighted km) | 0 | 49,7 | Q2 | 2026 | The quantitative indicator refers to the length of the reconstructed or upgraded railway infrastructure from the sources of the recovery and resilience plan, using weighting factors for the different types and ranges of projects (not containing dispatching/security installations which are counted separately under Objective 3: length of sections of lines digitally secured).  Of the overall objective to reconstruct or upgrade 55 km of rail infrastructure, at least 49,7 km shall be upgraded or reconstructed. Investments shall include one or more of the following elements: fully upgraded double track on the rail corridor with an increase to 160 km/h; one or two track reconstructed line (renewal of track substructure/track foundation or traction line/equipment; single track newly electrified and partially upgraded railway line; fully upgraded double track tram line including accessories; one-way single track newly built trolleybus line including the power supply. |
| 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 | The quantitative indicator refers to the length of railway lines (in weighted km) on which dispatching/digital security and communication devices have entered into operation,based on weight factors for the different types of projects. Of the overall objective to to deploy digital security and communication devices on 91 km of railway lines, at least 82 km shall be put into operation.  Investments shall include one or more of the following elements: newly dispatched railway line/section; railway line/section with new digital security devices; improvement of parameters on already dispatched track (e.g. by increasing the number of track divisions to improve traffic flow); building a GSM-R communication system to increase traffic safety on railway lines. |
| 10 | 3 – Sustainable transport – Investment 2: Promoting clean passenger transport | Target | Number of clean passenger rolling stock procured (weighted) |  | Number | 0 | 9 | Q2 | 2026 | The quantitative indicator reflects the number of clean public passenger rolling stock procured. The rolling stock shall include closed electric or hydrogen train units; multi-system electric locomotives; trams. |
| 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. |
| 12 | 3 – Sustainable transport – Investment 3: Development of intermodal freight transport | Target | Number of intermodal transport units procured in Twenty-foot Equivalent Units |  | Number | 0 | 1 000 | Q2 | 2026 | The number of intermodal transport units of IPUs (handling semi-trailers, swap bodies, containers) procured. Intermodal transport units shall be expressed in TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit 20' (6,1 m); Basic container size ISO 1C – 20' x 8' x 8' (mach). |
| 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 or hydrogen refuelling points in operation. |  | Number | 0 | 3 029 | Q2 | 2026 | Total number of public recharging points or hydrogen refuelling points in operation. Of the overall objective to put in operation 3 332 of recharging points, at least 3 029 are put in operation. |

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.

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 purpose of the measure is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions through project support to industrial enterprises. The auction scheme shall respect the conditions on investment policies as specified in the Reform 2 (‘Adoption of the competitive scheme for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in industry’). 

Of the overall objective to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 135 507,32 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the decarbonisation scheme shall deliver the reduction of at least 121 956,66 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, additional to the counterfactual scenario presented to the Commission. The emission reduction shall be observed either on the basis of data collection for projects under the decarbonisation scheme or demonstrated on the basis of parameters of supported technologies based on certificates by producers or the combination of both approaches. The Slovak authorities shall provide the data and the necessary technical documentation to the Commission on fulfilment of the decarbonisation target by 30 June 2026 at the latest.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

  

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

The purpose of the measure is to support investments into the equipment of Slovak Environmental Inspectorate, strengthening the monitoring capacity of this institution in the decarbonisation process. Currently, the lack of equipment does not allow to carry out the necessary activities in view of the expected increase of the Inspectorate’s workload.

The investments shall help to modernise the equipment as well as facilities of the institution. This shall allow for streamlining of the operational activities of the inspectorate, including for the on-the-ground missions. The inspectorate vehicles should be equipped with office and measuring technology, in particular for inspection on air protection, water protection and waste management. The investments shall also deliver improvements in the building premises of the inspectorate.

The implementation of the investments is expected to start by 1 January 2022 and shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

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 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.   ·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 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 – Decarbonisation of industry – Investment 1: The operation of the industry decarbonisation scheme | Milestone | Completion of implementation of the industry decarbonisation projects co-financed by the RRF | Adoption of a list of completed decarbonisation projects by the Ministry of Environment |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | The Ministry of Environment shall adopt a list of completed projects supported through the decarbonisation scheme, which shall constitute a basis for measuring the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under measure. The emission reduction shall be observed either on the basis of data collection for projects under the decarbonisation scheme or demonstrated through assumed parameters of supported technologies under the measure based on certificates by producers or the combination of both approaches Of the overall objective to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 135 507,32 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the decarbonisation scheme shall deliver at least the reduction of 121 956,66 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. |
| 4 | 4 – Decarbonisation 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 | Completion of the RRF investment activities by the Slovak Inspectorate of the Environment |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | The investments shall modernize the equipment as well as facilities of the Slovak Inspectorate of the Environment. The new inspectorate vehicles shall be equipped with office and measuring technology, in particular for inspection of air protection, water protection and waste management. The investments shall deliver improvements to the building premises of the Inspectorate. |

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.

 

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 biodiversity in 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 is to improve the 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, 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 Government shall adopt 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, with the decrees also entering into force and application. Slovakia aims to follow the Criteria and guidance for protected areas designations (SWD(2022) 23 final, 28.1.2022) in designating the protection zones in the remaining national parks.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2026.

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 realignment of property shall make it possible to cover new areas by the highest degree of protection, which shall increase the resilience of ecosystems. Limiting logging and developing nature conservation shall make it possible to prevent floods and droughts, transform regions from intensive use of natural resources to soft tourism, with higher added value, while reinforcing ecosystem services. Revitalised watercourses, including wetlands, shall ensure water retention in the countryside and its gradual release. They shall become important elements of the landscape, supporting the conservation of biodiversity and the restoration of habitats.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 shall consist of implementing a set of activities dedicated to establishing and cultivating forests that are diverse in species, genetics, age and spatial composition, managed according to continuous cover forestry approach under the umbrella concept of sustainable forest management. The investment shall support activities only on forest lands that are not in Natura 2000, not in other protected areas, and not in areas with registered presence of Western Capercaillie (pursuant to Programme for protection of Western Capercaillie).

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 | 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 in the countryside | Milestone | More effective application of nature protection measures in landscapes in protected areas and the revitalization of watercourses | 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 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. |
| 3 | 5 – Adapting to climate change – Investment 1: Adapting regions to climate change, focusing on nature conservation and biodiversity development | Target | Rehabilitation of watercourses (in Km of rehabilitated watercourses) |  | Number | 0 | 52 | Q4 | 2024 | Km of rehabilitated watercourses. Of the overall objective to rehabilitate 57 Km of watercourses, at least 52 Km are rehabilitated.  The revitalization group shall prepare priorities and identify precise sections to restore flows. Based on the technical documentation, the applicant shall submit projects on an rolling basis starting by 30 June 2022 and ending by 31 December 2023. |
| 4 | 5 – Adapting to climate change – Investment 1: Adapting regions to climate change, focusing on nature conservation and biodiversity development | Target | Rehabilitation of watercourses (in Km of rehabilitated watercourses) | Km of rehabilitated watercourses | Number | 52 | 90 | Q2 | 2026 | Km of rehabilitated watercourses. Of the overall objective to rehabilitate 97 Km of watercourses, at least 90 Km are rehabilitated.  The revitalization group shall prepare priorities and identify precise sections to restore flows. Based on the technical documentation, the applicant shall submit projects on a rolling g basis starting by 30 June 2023 and ending by 31 December 2025 |
| 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. |
| 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 15 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 15 and 30 of Act No. 543/2002 Coll. on 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 | 32 635 | Q2 | 2026 | The activities supported shall be implemented on forest land only, and not in Natura 2 000 and other protected areas, nor in areas with registered presence of Western Capercaillie. At least the following activities shall be implemented to contribute to building a multispecies and multigenerational forest:  ·Artificial forest regeneration of at least 1 850 ha;  ·Reinforcing natural regeneration of forest of at least 207 ha;  ·Cleaning of land in areas affected by disturbance to prepare the land for reforestation of maximum 1 744 ha;   ·Protection of young forest coverage from wildlife with fencing and other mechanical means, and from forest weed by trimming, of at least 14 121 ha;  ·Tending young forest stands to ensure species and spatial composition of at least 7 866 ha;  ·First thinning up to 50 years of maximum 3 997 ha.  For reforestation, only native tree species shall be used or those that are adapted to the projected climatic and pedo-hydrological conditions. |

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 reform shall introduce the amendments to the relevant legislative provisions that introduce the legal entitlement for children age of three to be admitted to a kindergarten or other establishment providing pre-primary education. The reform is expected to introduce prescriptive funding for kindergartens based on standardised annual normatives for staff and operational costs which intend to cover the real staff and operational costs of kindergartens. The qualification requirement on teaching staff and specialist staff shall be upgraded to a higher education degree in the teaching programme for early and pre-primary education for teaching staff and specialist staff teaching children for whom pre-primary education is compulsory. The reform also includes measures to increase the capacity of kindergartens so that every child between the age of three years and entering compulsory education is allowed to participate in pre-primary education by 1 September 2025. The objective is to provide at least 10 490 places in the facilities while achieving on average at least 30% of primary energy savings in the renovated premises.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

  

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 reform shall change the definition of special educational needs of pupils by a new definition of a child or pupil experiencing obstacles to access to education, education and learning, who need the provision and application of support measures to fulfil their educational potential. A vertical model of support shall be created by introducing new of eligible support measures for all children. In order to implement the reform, teachers shall be provided with teaching and methodological materials through further training programmes. 10 000 teachers and specialist staff shall participate on trainings and other information activities under this reform.

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

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.

Reform 4: Implementation of tools to prevent early school leaving and adapt F-type study programme. The reform consists of changes to the relevant legislative provisions aimed at increasing the possibility for young people, without completing lower-secondary education, to achieve a higher level of education by providing for the possibility of completing lower secondary education in secondary vocational schools (NSOV) in a two- and three-year combined programme. Legislative amendments shall optimise F-type study programmes as well, by extending the obligation to determine secondary school performance plans to lower secondary vocational education disciplines. On the basis of the labour market offer, the content of the F-type study programmes shall then be adjusted. It is expected that at least 30% of lower secondary vocational schools (NSOV) shall align to the labour market offer by 30 June 2025.

The implementation of the reform is expected to start by 31 March 2023 and shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

Reform 5: Promoting school desegregation.

The main objective of the reform is to introduce a legal definition of segregation that is expected to apply in every school in Slovakia. The desegregation of in schools shall be implemented by developing the methodological guidelines for the various educational actors (such as creators, schools and school facilities, directors and teachers) for the prevention and elimination of segregated education. The adopted methodology shall be applied in every school.

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

  

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 is to remove physical, information and technological barriers in the school in 135 large secondary schools to enable disadvantaged children to carry out education in the pleasant environment. The investment shall be preceded by: 1) complex analysis in order to map the needs for debarierization and providing the manual. The manual shall define standards for removing barriers to meet the real needs of children, pupils and students with health disadvantages and to respect the principles of universal design.

The implementation of the investment is expected to start by 31 March 2022 and shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

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 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 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 | 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 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.Ensuring 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 newly built capacities |  | Number | 0 | 10 490 | Q2 | 2026 | The completion of the capacity of kindergartens shall create the conditions for claiming a legal entitlement to pre-primary education for children from four and then from the age of three. The target (10 490) is the estimated number of newly built facilities.  Buildings subjected to renovation shall contribute to the green transitions by achieving on average at least 30% of primary energy savings. |
| 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 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: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 | Target | Number of trained teachers and specialized staff |  | Number | 0 | 10 000 | Q4 | 2025 | 10 000 teachers and specialized staff trained under programmes for professional development, further training and information activities which shall aim at presenting a new model of eligible educational support measures, diagnosing the level of language skills of children and pupils and providing support for children and pupils with language barriers in accessing education. |
| 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, 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 educational needs of the target group of pupils | 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.  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:Implementation of tools to prevent early school leaving and adapt F-type study programmes | Target | Share of lower secondary vocational education (NSOV) programmes optimised in response to labour market needs |  | % | 0 | 30 | Q2 | 2025 | The optimisation process shall be based on the results of the process of planning the performance of F-type study programme, which shall operate under a special regime compared to the classical performance plan.  On the basis of the labour market offer, the content of the F-type study programme shall then be adjusted or assessed and possibly removed from the education system. |
| 10 | 6 – Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education– Reform 5:Supporting school desegregation | Milestone | Adoption of legislative amendments that introduce of the definition of segregation at schools in the legislation and the development of methodological material for the implementation of desegregation | Adoption by the Parliament of an amendment to Act No 245/2008 or to Act No 365/2004 and the creation and approval by the Ministry of Education of methodological material |  |  |  | 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 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. |
| 11 | 6 – Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education– Reform 5:Supporting school desegregation | Milestone | Entry into force the legislative definition of segregation at schools | Entry into force an amendment to Act No 245/2008 or to Act No 365/2004 |  |  |  | Q3 | 2025 | The act of law shall enter into force on 1/9/2025. | |
| 12 | 6 – Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education– Reform 5:Supporting school desegregation | Target | Percentage of schools that apply desegregation standards coming from the adopted methodology |  | % | 0 | 100 | Q4 | 2025 | The methodology shall be based on the approved law entered into force by Q3 2025. |
| 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 secondary school pupils | 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 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 debarrierisa  tion 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.. |
| 15 | 6 – Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education– Investment 1:Removing barriers of school buildings | Target | Elimination of architectural barriers of larger secondary schools |  | Number | 0 | 135 | Q2 | 2025 | The quantitative indicator determines the number of debarred larger 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%. 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. | |

COMPONENT 7: EDUCATION FOR THE 21.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 (curricular and textbook reform). The objective of the reform is to create new learning curricula. Instead of delivering ready-made information, teachers shall create situations in which pupils may interpret the information in confrontation with real life. The reform commence by introduction of the curricula in primary and lower-secondary level of education (on voluntary basis) as of the school year 2023 and end by obligation to adopt the new curriculum in all primary schools in 2026.

The implementation of the reform shall be supported by creation of the 40 regional centers that bring support for schools in mentoring, counselling and consultation activities. The centers may comprise of teachers, school directors, professionals of adult education, third sector experts and experts from faculties preparing teachers in the region.

The reform requires the provision of new textbooks. The preparation of textbooks shall be supported through the work of the experts. The approval of textbooks, based on professional and educational quality, shall be ensured by a uniform clause granted by the Ministry of Education. Strict and transparent peer review criteria shall be put in place. Schools shall receive an allowance to buy textbooks according to their preferences and requirements from the list of textbooks approved by the Ministry.

The reform shall envisage the creation of an e-Test 2.0 e-testing platform that shall make the digitalization of the education process more efficient and thus enable the central testing of pupils. The measurable effect of this reform may be the final examination of the upper secondary school carried out on-line in every school by 31 December 2025.

The last milestone of this reform shall be completed by 31 December 2025.

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.

Investment 1: Digital infrastructure in schools. The objective of this investment is to increase in the number percentage of schools with full digital entry from 30% to at least 90% (according to defined ICT standards built on the “highly equipped and connected classroom” (HECC)). To ensure transparency and value for money when purchasing digital equipment for schools, procurement shall be centrally coordinated. The investment envisages maximising the life cycle of digital equipment in order to reduce negative environmental impacts. Investment is divided into the main areas:

·inclusion: the investment shall cover the software or hardware of the compensatory aids for disadvantaged pupils.

·skills for the digital transformation: The investment shall cover one IT classroom in proportion to 300 students.

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

Investment 2: Completion of the school infrastructure. The investment aims to eliminate 35 two-shift schools in Slovakia that may contribute to better integration for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. This shall create at least 4403 capacities. The investments may take the form of expanding existing capacities, renovating and building new premise in 35 schools that currently pursue the two-shifts classes. Renovation of building shall be subject to achieving on average at least 30% of primary energy savings.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 – Curricular and textbook 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 – Curricular and textbook reform | Target | Creation of a network of regional centres of support |  | Number | 0 | 40 | Q3 | 2024 | Regional centres of curricular management and support for schools to implement changes shall be developed at regional level through mentoring, counselling and consultation activities. In total, there shall be 40 centres (one centre for two counties) with a team of teachers, school directors, other specialist of youth and adult education, third sector experts and experts from faculties preparing teachers in the region. |
| 3 | 7 – Education for the 21st century – Reform 1: Education content and form reform – Curricular and textbook reform | Target | Primary schools that implement the new curriculum (in percentage) |  | % | 0 | 30 | Q4 | 2025 | At least 30% of primary schools that implement the new curriculum |
| 4 | 7 – Education for the 21st century – Reform 1: Education content and form reform – Curricular and textbook reform | Target | Introduction of an on-line matura (final exam for graduates from upper secondary school) |  | % | 23 | 100 | Q4 | 2025 | Share of matura (final exam for graduates from upper secondary school] taken on internet. |
| 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 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. |  |  |  | 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 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 infrastructure in schools | Target | Increase in the percentage of schools with basic level of digital equipment |  | % | 30 | 90 | Q4 | 2025 |  |
| 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 | Two-shift operations shall be eliminated in 35 schools and at least 4 403 new capacities shall be created. There shall be a specific call for double shifts schools to build new premises or make reconstructions of the premises which are not fit to serve pupils.  Buildings subjected to renovation shall contribute to the green transitions by achieving at least on average 30% of primary energy savings, to be monitored by energy saving certificates. |

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 incentivise 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 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 the reform is to promote the bringing together of universities into closer cooperation. There are over 30 universities in Slovak with a fragmented research capacities and insufficient cooperation with business. The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic (MŠVVaŠ SR) shall approve a road map for two large units of higher education institutions and subsequently for the next group of universities. A concrete roadmap leading to the establishment of a third consortium shall be provided.

The implementation of the reform is expected to start by 31 December 2021 and shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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

Investments shall underpinned primarily reform 5 targeted at mergers of universities’ excellence potential. The investments may be channeled through two different schemes. The first one that support projects for the development of research, education and accommodation infrastructure with high added value for excellent research such as: 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, removing the barriers and digitization. The second scheme shall support project management based on the approved roadmap. The scope of investments shall be determined in the plan linked to the process of bringing together university units.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 universities, including the introduction of performance contracts | Target | Performance contracts signed with public universities (in percentage) | N/A | % | 0 | 90 | Q4 | 2023 | At least 90% of performance contracts signed. |
| 3 | 8 – Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions – Reform 2:Introduction 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 2:Introduction of a system of periodic scientific performance evaluation | Target | Number of Performed evaluations |  | Number | 0 | 20 | Q4 | 2022 | The target refers to the all public universities. |
| 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 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 of Slovak higher education institutions – Reform 5:Concentra-tion of excellent educational and research capacities | Milestone | Start bringing together of universities into larger units | An approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic (MŠVVaŠ SR) bundling road map for at least 2 university units. |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | An approved bundling road map for at least 2 university units. The Road Map shall develop the timetable and the 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 | The completion of the process of bringing together universities through consortia | Formal connection process completed for at least 2 consortia and a concrete roadmap leading to the legally binding establishment of a third consortium completed. |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | Formal connection process completed for at least 2 consortia confirmed by the new statute of each consortium and the completion of a concrete roadmap leading to the legally binding establishment of a third consortium.  The statutes shall cover the following criteria per consorttium:  ·harmonisation of internal quality systems on the basis of commonly defined procedures and areas,  ·creation of at least 5 joint study programmes where at least one is 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.  ·introduction of flexible study paths to enable students to take courses at every university of the consortium.  ·research units are brought together to conduct joint research projects and the resulting body or bodies entered into operation.  ·sharing of premises and subject-specific classrooms, and for universities that have these, laboratories,  ·integration of library, publishing and IT systems. |
| 9 | 8 – Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions –Investment 1: support for the strategic development of universities | Milestone | At least 2 calls concluded for supporting the strategic development of universities | 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 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. |
| 10 | 8 – Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions – Investment 1: support for the strategic development of universities | Target | reconstructed university area and dormitory |  | Number | 0 | 126 826 | Q2 | 2026 | The objective is 140 918 m2 but at least 126 826 m2 university area shall be upgraded or reconstructed including dormitories in universities.  Buildings subjected to renovation shall contribute to the green transition by achieving at least on average 30% of primary energy savings, to be monitored by energy saving certificates. |

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

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilient 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 sector 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.

  

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.

Participation in international cooperation, such as EU RI framework programmes is very low and Slovakia is currently on the 24th place in the EU regarding EU funding received from Horizon 2020. The objective of the investment is to enable greater participation of Slovak institutions, researchers and companies in cutting-edge projects of the European Research Area (ERA). At least three calls for projects shall be launched for the following schemes:

·Projects awarded by the “Seal of Excellence”/threshold projects (such as Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships, Teaming, European Research Council scheme with evaluation A in the second round).

·Projects participating in the European Innovation Council scheme with the “Seal of Excellence” award .

·“Matching grants to research institutions or companies to leverage resources generated under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe.

·Grant support for the preparation of Horizon Europe applications.

The overall approach is to support high quality projects, which receive a very high score in ERA programmes, but are left with no funding. The investment is expected to result in at least 48 applications and participating projects in Horizon Europe programmes.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

  

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

The investment aims to mobilise private participation in RDI and increase the share of innovative businesses, especially in the area of digital innovation. It shall support a wider role of the private sector, capacity building as well as networking with research organisations. At least four calls shall be launched for the following schemes:

·“Matching grants” to research institutions to leverage resources raised from the private sector in the framework of research collaboration. This scheme shall encourage academic and research organisations to seek more private partnerships.

·”Voucher” support schemes – to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, technologies and innovation and to enhance the cooperation with business sector. Two types of the voucher schemes are proposed: i) innovation voucher (including patent activities) – to stimulate SMEs cooperation with research organisations, or with municipalities, ii) digital voucher – to stimulate the digitalisation of services and processes for SMEs and enterprises.

·The measure of creating at least two “transformative and innovative consortia” shall aim to generate new RDI activities in key sectors of the economy with the greatest innovation potential

Of the overall objective to support 3 931 projects, at least 3 538 cooperation projects between companies, academia and R&D organisations as well as vouchers are supported.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 3: Excellent science.

The rate of internationalisation of the research environment is very low, only 2% of university academic staff come from abroad. The investment aims to create an internationally competitive environment for the best scientists, both in terms of salaries and the availability of attractive research schemes. At least 6 calls shall be launched for the following schemes:

·Fellowships for excellent researchers at different career stages R1 – R4 (R1-First stage researchers, R2-Recognised researchers, R3-Established researchers, R4-Leading researchers).

·“Early stage” research grants. The scheme is designed to give the opportunity to young researchers to kick-start research in their own field.

·Capital “booster” shall complement the existing schemes to finance capital expenditure of research projects.

·Dedicated calls for large research projects shall support excellent teams in strategically defined RDI areas and enhance RDI human capital. It is expected that at least 15 high-quality research projects are selected and completed.

Of the overall objective to support 1 060 excellent researchers, at least 1 000 excellent researchers are supported under different schemes.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 March 2026.

  

Investment 4: Research and innovation to decarbonise the economy.

The investment scheme aims at improving synergies in RDI topics between national and EU level. Thematic calls shall be launched to support the green transition as well as resilience and adaptation to climate change in line with topics expected in the thematic priorities of Horizon Europe, such as carbon free energy, electrification, hydrogen, battery technologies and alternative fuels, low emission industrial processes and materials and bio-economy. The focus shall be on entire research and innovation cycle (Technology readiness level 1-9) with highest allocation directed to demonstration projects and more advanced technology readiness levels (TRL). Of the overall objective to complete 30 projects, at least 27 projects are completed under the calls by 30 June 2026.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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

The investment aims at supporting the transition to the digital economy. Thematic schemes (such as demand driven calls and/or financial instruments) to be launched in 2022 shall be channelled towards topics that are expected in the thematic priorities of Horizon Europe, such as key digital and industrial technologies, internet of things, artificial intelligence and robotics and cover the whole research and innovation cycle (Technology readiness levels 1-9). Of the overall objective to complete 155 projects, at least 140 projects are completed under the schemes by 30 June 2026.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 6: Financial instruments to support innovation.

The investment intends to considerably increase the share of innovative businesses and invest in companies with significant technological and innovative potential. The capital investment shall cover an early stage (seed phase) as well as the growth phase (such as venture capital funds) of the companies´ life cycle and shall be implemented through financial intermediaries.

To comply with the “Do no significant harm” Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01), investment strategies outlining the use of financial instruments shall require the application of the Commission technical guidance on the exclusion list and compliance with the relevant EU and national environmental legislation. The investment strategy, including “Do no significant harm” requirements shall be properly reflected in a contractual agreement between Slovak authorities and the implementing partners/financial intermediaries.

Of the overall objective to support 40 companies, at least 36 companies are supported by financial instruments in the form of capital inputs by 30 June 2026.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 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: Reform of the organisation and funding of non-business research institutions, in particular the Slovak Academy of Sciences | 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 to Act No 243/2017 on the public research institution |  |  |  | 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 financing, including from the private sector while ensuring full protection of intellectual property and financial profitability. |
| 4 | 19– 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  • "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 applications and projects supported under calls aimed at increasing participation and supporting successful institutions and researchers in Horizon Europe calls |  | Number of projects | 0 | 765 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to support 770 projects, at least 765 projects are supported under the calls aiming at increasing participation in the Horizon Europe programme.    The investment is expected to result in:  • at least 48 applications and participating projects in Horizon Europe programme  • at least  717 grants to support preparation of project applications |
| 6 | 9 –  More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding – Investment 2: Support for cooperation between firms, academia and RD organisations | 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 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 supported |  | Number of projects | 0 | 1 770 | Q4 | 2024 | Of the overall objective to support 1 966 projects, at least 1 770 cooperation projects between companies, academia and R&D organisations and vouchers, are supported.  The investment is expected to result in:  • Establishing at least 2 “transformative and innovative” consortia  •1 316 collaborative projects supported under matching grants  •250 innovative and 400 digital vouchers are delivered |
| 8 | 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 supported |  | Number of projects | 1 770 | 3 538 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to support 3 931 projects, at least 3 538 cooperation projects between companies, academia and R&D organisations and vouchers, are supported:  The investment is expected to result in:  • at least 2 “transformative and innovative” consortia are operational  •2 631 collaborative projects supported under matching grants  • 500 innovative and 800 digital vouches are delivered and completed |
| 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  • 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 |
| 11 | 9 – More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding – Investment 3: Excellent science | Target | Number of excellent researchers supported |  | Number of researchers | 650 | 1 000 | Q1 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to support 1 060 researchers, at least 1 000 excellent researchers, are supported under the calls  The investment is expected to result in:  • 425 fellowships for researchers at different career stages (R1-R4)  • 500 “Early stage” research grants for young researchers  • 120 projects under capital booster  • 15 large grants to excellent researchers are implemented |
| 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 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 decarbonise the economy | Target | Number of selected projects addressing the challenges of the green transition |  | Number of projects | 0 | 27 | Q4 | 2024 | Of the overall objective to select 30 projects, at least 27 projects, are selected under the calls addressing the challenges of the green transition and decarbonisation  Projects shall be approved in different phases of technology readiness levels (TRL -1-9) |
| 14 | 9 – More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding – Investment 4: Research and innovation to decarbonise the economy | Target | Number of projects addressing the challenges of the green transition, which are completed |  | Number of projects | 0 | 27 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to complete 30 projects, at least 27 projects, selected under the calls, are completed. |
| 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.  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 5: Research and innovation for the digitalisation of the economy | 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 to select 155 projects, at least 140 projects are selected under the thematic schemes (such as demand-driven calls and/or financial instruments) for thematic projects addressing digital transformation challenges in different technology readiness levels (TRL 1-9). |
| 17 | 9 – More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding – Investment 5: Research and innovation for the digitalisation of the economy | Target | Number of RDI projects addressing the challenges of digital transformation, which are completed |  | Number of projects | 0 | 140 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to complete 155 projects, at least 140 projects, selected under the thematic schemes (such as demand-driven calls and/or financial instruments), are completed. |
| 18 | 9 – More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding – Investment 6: Financial instruments to support innovation | 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 investment strategy |  |  | 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” 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 and strengthening RDI funding – Investment 6: Financial instruments to support innovation | Target | Number of companies supported through financial instruments |  | Number of companies | 0 | 36 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective to support 40 companies, at least 36 companies, are supported by financial instruments in the form of capital inputs. |

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 skilled 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.

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 returnees, highly qualified third-country workers and their family members and foreign higher education students studying in Slovakia

This investment aims at helping integration of highly skilled workers, returnees from abroad and their family members.

The investment shall support integration programmes for target groups of foreign students, highly skilled workers and their family members and returnees from abroad, including through project funding. A concept document for the setting-up of “one-stop-shops" shall be elaborated, following which three new “one-stop-shop" centers shall be set-up.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 December 2024.

Investment 2: Strengthening relations with the diaspora, supporting citizens’ initiatives

The aim of this measure is to strengthen relations with Slovaks abroad, including members of the new diaspora, to increase the likelihood of their return home, and to use their know-how to modernise Slovakia. The objective is not to hinder the movement of highly skilled workers, but rather to promote “brain circulation”.

The investment shall support the promotion of career opportunities in Slovakia, including through digital platforms containing information relevant for returning home. It shall also support the activities of non-governmental initiatives with experience in this field and partnerships between governmental and non-governmental initiatives.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 March 2026.

Investment 3: Scholarships for domestic and foreign talented students

The scholarship scheme shall financially support talented students in three groups:

(a)the most talented Slovak high school graduates – measured by their high-school graduation grade, emphasising specialisations with higher proportion to leave Slovakia (mathematics, foreign languages);

(b)the most talented students from abroad – measured by standardised international tests;

(c)above-average students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds or belonging to specific disadvantaged groups (such as orphans, children in centres for children and families) – measured by their high-school graduation grade.

The scheme shall provide scholarship for selected students during the first three years of the bachelor’s degree. A financial incentive for universities receiving the students shall be paid, which they may use to support excellent students in the second cycle level or for integration and career development programmes for excellent domestic or foreign students.

The scheme shall be operational in the period 2022 to 2027 (i.e. scholarships running until 2029). The recovery and resilience plan shall support students entering between 2022 and 2024, while other financial sources shall be used to extent the provision of such support at least until the end of 2027.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 December 2024.

Investment 4: Promoting internationalisation in the academic environment

The objective of this investment is to support the internationalisation of universities and research institutions in Slovakia.

The Government shall adopt a strategy for the internationalisation of universities, which shall include support to joint university programs, measures to attract foreign students and academics and implement the principles of the Human Resources Strategy for Research (HRS4R).

The investment shall support:

-systemic measures such as quality audits and support schemes for university development based on audit results;

-promotion of Slovak higher education and science abroad and supporting international networking of Slovak universities.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 March 2026.

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, 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 and increase of the attractiveness of the country for foreigners with family ties | Adoption by the Parliament and entry into force |  |  |  | Q1 | 2022 | Amendment to Act No 40/1993 on Slovak citizenship that shall facilitate the return to the country and increase the country’s attractiveness for foreigners with family ties to Slovakia. The amendment shall introduce a simplified regime for obtaining citizenship by removing the requirement of a minimum period of residence in Slovakia. |
| 3 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Reform 2: Simplification of the regime for the recognition of qualifications and professional qualifications for the exercise of regulated professions | Milestone | Simplifica-tion of the recognition of educational and professional qualifications | Adoption by the Parliament and entry into force |  |  |  | Q1 | 2022 | The amendment to Act No 422/2015 on the recognition of evidence of education and the recognition of professional qualifications shall allow:  • Facilitating the recognition of diplomas/training documents for countries with which Slovakia has bilateral agreements in the field of recognition of diplomas/training documents, by reducing the required documents from the applicant (e.g. university certificates of competence to provide the relevant education);  • Strengthening the competences of the Centre for Recognition of Qualifications (SUDV) for the recognition of documents for the validation of higher education attainment also for countries outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) without a bilateral agreement, which shall significantly speed up and simplify the process compared to the current situation where the only eligible institutions are universities to facilitate the recognition of diplomas/documents for countries with which Slovakia has bilateral agreements on the recognition of diplomas/training documents.    The amendment to Act No 578/2004 on healthcare providers, health professionals, professional organisations in the health sector shall allow:  • shortening the time limit for the recognition of further training documents for highly qualified health professionals;  • Extension of the temporary traineeship for doctors beyond the pandemic |
| 4 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 1: Support tools and assistance for returnees, highly qualified third-country workers and their family members and foreign higher education students studying in Slovakia | Target | Number of one-stop shops for integration in Slovakia |  | Number | 0 | 3 | Q4 | 2024 | Fully functioning centres (one-stop shops) providing comprehensive services facilitating establishment in Slovakia |
| 5 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 1: Support tools and assistance for returnees, highly qualified third-country workers and their family members and foreign higher education students studying in Slovakia | Target | Number of foreigners using the IOM Migration Information Centre services |  | Number | 0 | 7 000 | Q4 | 2024 | During the period 2022-2024, of the overall objective of 7 500 beneficiaries, at least 7 000 beneficiaries shall be provided services of the IOM Migration Information Centre for their integration into the labour market and society (advice, language courses, promotion of socio-cultural orientation). This includes foreign students, highly qualified workers, family members and foreigners belonging to the selected groups defined in the Resolution in Reform 1, taking into account the economic interests of the Slovak Republic. |
| 6 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 2: Strengthening relations with the diaspora, supporting citizens’ initiatives | Target | Number of supported events strengthening relations with the diaspora |  | Number | 0 | 200 | Q1 | 2026 | The programme shall support 200 social events with the aim of strengthening relations with Slovaks abroad. Supported events shall aim to increase the impact of other reforms and cross-component investments, such as:  • Promote the effect of the amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreigners, which shall facilitate return and increase the country’s attractiveness for foreigners with family ties to Slovakia.  • Support investment 4 i.e. two-way student mobility and internationalisation of academia  • Support the impact of investments in other components, e.g. R & D & I investments, by fostering cooperation between domestic European and other research institutions where the Slovak diaspora is active, as well as through increased awareness of career opportunities in Slovakia. |
| 7 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 3: Scholarships for domestic and foreign talented students | Target | Number of awarded scholarships for talented students. |  | Number | 0 | 4 226 | Q4 | 2024 | Of the overall objective of 4 508 motivational scholarships, award at least 4 226 motivational scholarships for most talented domestic students, top talents from abroad, and talented socially disadvantaged students. |
| 8 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 4: Promoting internationalisation in the academic environment | Milestone | Strategy for internationalisation of universities | Government adoption of the strategy |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | Adoption of an internationalisation strategy for universities, aiming at proposing measures to support the preparation of joint study programmes, attracting foreign students and academics, or implementing systemic institutional changes in Slovak universities. |
| 9 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 4: Promoting internationalisation in the academic enviroment | Target | Number of projects supported to promote or develop the internationalisation of universities and research institutions |  | Number | 0 | 28 | Q4 | 2025 | Of the overall objective of 31 projects, support at least 28 projects to promote or develop internationalisation of universities and research institutes, through:  - implementation of institutional strategies of internationalization at the level of universities (for example preparing new programmes in foreign languages, improving the preparedness of domestic higher education teachers/doctoral students to operate in an international setting); - support to university participation in foreign fairs and student recruitment events;  - promotion of Slovakia at international events. |

COMPONENT 11: Modern and accessible healthcare

The objective of this component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan is to create a modern, accessible and efficient hospital network that provides quality healthcare, an attractive environment for staff, efficient processes and healthy management. The aim is also to increase the availability of emergency health services, building on the needs of the new hospital network, and to strengthen primary care, which is intended to be an essential integration point for patient care.

The component includes five reforms and four 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 addresses the Country Specific Recommendation 1 from 2020 that refers to the strengthening of the resilience of the health system in the areas of health workforce, critical medical products and infrastructure; and the improvement of primary care provision and coordination between types of care.

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

Reform 1: Optimisation of the hospital network

The objective of the reform is to improve the quality and efficiency of inpatient healthcare through the definition of the typology and hierarchy of inpatient care, as well as the definition of minimum conditions for the provision of medical services.

The reform shall define profiles of hospitals. A profile means a set of compulsory services and other requirements a provider at a certain level must comply with. After changing the profile, certain hospital shall be obliged to cover several services grouped under the certain profile. Some shall broaden the scope of activity, others are expected to transform acute beds’ departments into long-term care departments.

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

Reform 2: Reform of the preparation of health investment projects

The Ministry of Health in a close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance shall adopt the plan for all health investment projects. The plan shall be accompanied with the methodology for evaluating health investments, which shall determine decision-making criteria based on financial, medical, societal and socio-economic benefits.

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

Reform 3: Centralisation of the management of the largest hospitals

The reform shall introduce the central hospital management system for the 19 state-own hospital that includes: 1) central controlling, budgeting, performance planning and monitoring; 2) processes for central purchasing of medicinal products, medical materials, equipment; 3) centralisation of support services such as accounting; 4) human resources management. The reform shall start with the establishment of a central hospital management body and shall be followed by pilot project that comprise of the 19 hospitals. The pilot shall end with an evaluation, triggering the possibility of the subsequent deployment of standards for all hospitals in the network.

The implementation of the reform shall start by 31 December 2023 and shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

Reform 4: Optimising the emergency care network and the new definition of emergency care

The reform shall address the legal changes needed to increase the universal availability of ambulances within 15 minutes for the required more than 90 % of the country’s population. The amendment of the law provides for the fair geographical distribution of ambulance stations. The emergency care network shall be based on the demand for interventions according to diagnosis and regions, the geographical distribution of ambulance stations, taking into account the road network and infrastructure, the availability of suitable types of hospital facilities, while using mathematical modelling and simulations from real data (such as p-median model).

The new definition of emergency care shall be introduced to identify the number of authorised users of ambulance services and how to respond to the demand of these users.

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

Reform 5: Reform of primary care provision for adults, children and youth

The objective of the reform is to ensure access to primary care services in those regions that suffer from a deficit of practising general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians. The appropriate legislation shall define the requirements for the optimal number and location of GPs and paediatricians over maximum distance (optimal number of the medical doctors defined by the county population and age structure) and to introduce zoning criteria and the process of annual evaluation. The purpose of the zoning is to classify territories according to the severity of the identified GP shortages. This detailed map of gaps in primary care provision allow for better targeting of remedial action, including the modulation of incentives for doctors to open new practices in underserved areas. These should then have access to support for general medicine, in particular in the form of financial grants for setting up and equipping GP practices or compensatory payments when opening a new practice in the underserved areas (related to Investment 1).

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

Investment 1:Support the opening of new primary care practices in underserved areas

The overall objective is to create 124 outpatient practices: the support shall be made for the creation of new practices for general practitioners for adult and paediatrics in the form of a subsidy to offset the cost of the outpatient practice’s in the first year of operation or to finance upfront investments costs. The financial support shall be provided for doctors who decide to carry out primary care services in the areas with a shortage of doctors to compensate for the risk and initial investment during the first year, when financial resources from the insurance are insufficient due to low numbers of registered patients or setting up a practice is difficult because of high initial investment costs. The financial support shall be temporary, lasting one year and should gradually decrease as the number of registered patients is expected to rise. Newly created practices shall be afterwards self-sufficient and funded as all others from public insurance funds.

The implementation of this investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 2: New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment

The objective of the investment is to upgrade the current infrastructure and to build the new one to be compatible with the requirements of modern health systems and contribute to the hospital network. The investment shall be in accordance with Reform 1 (Optimisation of the hospital network) of this component.

The investments start with direct calls or demand calls specifying requirements for providing hospital beds, according the do not significant harm principle (DNSH). This means that building shall meet high energy efficiency requirements for the new hospitals and obtain the certificate BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), or their equivalent.

From the overall objective of 2 753 hospital beds, at least 2 477 hospital beds shall be created or modernised. The overall sub-target for beds constructed at “gross construction” level is 1 431, at least 1 287 “gross construction beds”. In order to facilitate the preparation and implementation of these projects, a coordination unit shall be established.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 3: Digitalisation in health

The investment shall support the implementation of the Reform 3 of this component - Centralisation of the management of the largest hospitals. The centralisation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (for the shared serviced centre) shall be carried out in the pilot project of 19 hospitals under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. It is assumed that these hospitals shall remain in the hospital network after the completion of the hospital network. The preparation of the systems shall take into account the integration into the planned central hospital information system.

The implementation of this investment shall be completed by 31 December 2025.

Investment 4: Construction and rehabilitation of ambulance stations

The objective of the investment is to implement the Reform 1 of this component: Optimisation of the hospital network and Reform 4 of this component, Optimising the emergency care network and the new definition of emergency care, ensuring the implementation of station transfer according to the new emergency care network and requirements for the new hospital network. Part of the transferred stations shall be ensured by reconstructing suitable premises, other part shall need to be re-built with the corresponding equipment. The investment shall address the construction or reconstruction of 55 small-scale ambulance stations.

The implementation of this investment shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

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 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 1 Optimization of the Hospital Network (UN) | Milestone | Introduction of the hospital network | Legislative amendment enter into force |  |  |  | Q1 | 2022 | Legislative amendments to laws and related legal acts (laws included: 576/2004, 577/2004, 578/2004, 579/2004, 581/2004) introducing the optimization of hospital network shall define hierarchy of inpatient care providers depending on complexity of care provided, scope of services and time accessibility.    There will be 5 levels of inpatient care providers. The law shall set compulsory services that providers are obliged to provide at each level. Furthermore it shall define quality indicators, requirements for technical equipment, personnel capacities, waiting times for certain services. |
| 2 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 1 Optimization of the Hospital Network (UN) | Target | Share of the reprofiled hospitals (authorised within the scope of general and specialised hospitals) under the new hospital network |  | % | 0 | 40 | Q4 | 2025 | There shall be a transition period during which hospitals and health insurance companies shall be required to comply with newly defined rules.  40 % of current hospitals (hospitals authorized within the scope of general and specialised hospitals) shall be reprofiled according to the new reform. |
| 3 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 2 Reform of the preparation of health investment plans | Milestone | A prioritised investment plan according to the investment evaluation methodology adopted by the Ministry of Health | prioritised investment plan published on the website of the Ministry of Health |  |  |  | Q2 | 2022 | The plan shall comprise of all the investments to be financed from the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the EU Structural Funds and shall start preparing these projects as a matter of priority for implementation (linked to Investments 1, 2 and 3).  A methodology for evaluating health investments shall be developed, which will determine decision-making criteria based on financial, medical but also indirect benefits, including societal and socio-economic benefits. A model for decision-making on the economic efficiency of an investment in the health sector shall be set, taking into account not only the direct financial benefits of the investment but all indirect (e.g. greater patient comfort). |
| 4 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 3 Centralization of the management of the largest hospitals | Milestone | Establishment of a central hospital management body from an organisational, operational and economic point of view | Central Hospital Management Authority approved by the Ministry of Health and fully operational |  |  |  | Q4 | 2023 | This authority shall effectively provide the governing structure for the 19 hospitals that shall consist of the hospital network being in the pilot phase (see target below). This means that it would: manage, guide and evaluate hospitals’ planning and performance such as financial controlling, compliance control, HR, quality and risk management with a link to clinical processes. It shall also make the recommendations for optimization of expenditures and inventories of medicines and medical devices. |
| 5 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 3 Centralization of the management of the largest hospitals | Target | Number of hospitals involved in central management system |  | Number | 0 | 19 | Q2 | 2025 | Central management system shall embrace 19 state controlled hospitals in the piloting phase. |
| 6 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 4 Optimisation of the emergency care network and new definition of emergency care | Milestone | Amendment to the law on Optimal emergency care network and new definition of emergency care | The legislation on the new optimal emergency care network enters into force. |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | The legislative amendments shall introduce a new network of ambulance stations and a new definition of emergency care. The new network shall guarantee the availability of emergency services within 15 minutes for 90 % of the population. It shall be geographically and procedurally linked to the new hospital network The new definition of emergency care shall determine the number of authorized users of ambulance services and how to respond to the request of those users. |
| 7 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 5 Reform of primary care provision for adults, children and youth | Milestone | The new law on the establishment of the network of general care providers and the introduction of zoning | Entry into force the act of law |  |  |  | Q2 | 2022 | The new legislation shall set out rules for the primary care network to determine the number and distribution of general practitioners on the basis of:  -availability (maximum travel time per doctor);  -capacity needs (the number of general practitioners of adults and children needed, based on the size and age structure of the population). |
| 8 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Investment 1 Supporting the opening of new primary care | Target | Number of the primary care outpatient practices supported by a pilot programme |  | Number | 0 | 124 | Q2 | 2026 | The overall objective is to create 124 outpatient practices for general practitioners for adult and paediatrics in the form of a subsidy to offset the cost of the outpatient practices during the first year of operation or to finance upront investment costs. |
| 9 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Investment 2 New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment | Milestone | Call for tender for the construction and reconstruction of hospitals | Notification of the awarding of all public contracts to the construction contractor for the projects, compliant with eligibility/selection criteria |  |  |  | Q1 | 2024 | Notification of the awarding of all public contracts to the construction contractor for the overall objective of 2 753 new hospital beds, of which at least 2 477 beds shall be made available, broken down:  ·at least 1 287 beds (the objective is 1 431) at “gross construction” level\* in buildings meeting the energy efficiency requirements of intervention field 25ter certified BREEAM or LEED or their equivalent   ·The remaining beds until the overall amount of 2 477beds (the objective is 2 753) is reached either in “gross construction” level, or in hospitals after extensive modernisation to full fit out\*\*  \*Gross construction – foundations, construction, piping, insulation, drainage, outdoor plumbing, without machinery, central heating, wiring, floors, finishing and equipment.  \*\* Extensive modernisation to full fit out is defined as the reconstruction1 or the construction of buildings2 on existing hospital sites (pavilions) and includes:  (a) renovation, construction of buildings and extension, completion, superstructure or other alterations;  (b) provision of physical and technical equipment, supply of medical equipment, equipment, construction and upgrading of ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure, including equipment with high-speed internet connection and purchase of software equipment.  Points (a) and (b) are intended for common use and together form a functional unit.  1 Reconstruction of internal and external spaces and/or extension and/or completion and/or superstructure of existing buildings of hospitals except for point b) includes in particular, but not exclusively: insulation of the outer shell and roofs, replacement of windows and doors, lighting, replacement of technological equipment (heating, wiring, electricity, elevators).  2 Construction of buildings (pavilions) on existing hospital sites. |
| 10 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Investment 2 New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment | Target | Beds made available in upgraded hospitals |  | Number | 0 | 1980 | Q2 | 2026 | Beds made available in upgraded hospitals with a capacity of at least 2 477 beds broken down :  ·Minimum 1 287 beds (the objective is 1 431) at “gross construction” level\* in buildings meeting the energy efficiency requirements of intervention field 25ter certified BREEAM or LEED or their equivalent  ·The remaining beds to the overall objective shall be made available either in “gross construction” level, or in hospitals after extensive modernisation to full fit out. |
| 11 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Investment 3 Digitalisation in health | Target | Number of hospitals connected to the Central ERP system |  | Number | 0 | 19 | Q4 | 2025 | 19 public hospitals shall be connected to the central ERP system that allow for centralization of controlling and other processes in hospitals. |
| 12 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Investment 3 Digitalisation in health | Target | Increase in the provision of atrial fibrillation surgeries |  | % | 0 | 20 | Q4 | 2024 | 3 institutes of cardiovascular diseases shall be equipped with a complex technology (intracardiac navigation equipment and pulsed electric field ablation equipment with relevant complementary medical equipment) to performatrial fibrillation surgery, which shall:  ·reduce the average time spent on the atrial fibrillation surgery by at least 30% compared to the pre-investment baseline (that is, average time per surgery of the previous five years).     ·increase the number of successful atrial fibrillation ablation surgeries performed by at least 20% by Q4 2024, compared to the pre-investment baseline (that is, average yearly volume of the previous five years). |
| 13 | 11 – Modern and accessible health care – Investment 4 Construction and rehabilitation of ambulance stations (Ambulance Services) | Target | Number of ambulance station constructed or reconstructed |  | Number | 0 | 55 | Q2 | 2025 | The aim is to build or reconstruct the locations of the ambulance stations that shall be located in the new network of the emergency care. The constructed settlements shall be located in buildings meeting the energy efficiency requirements of intervention field 26bis (at least 30 % energy savings compared to current status). New settlements shall be housed in buildings which, in accordance with the regulation in force from 1.1.2021, must comply with energy efficiency class A0.  Fair geographical distribution shall be based on an mathematical simulation model that shall aim to propose a network where: (1) 90 percent of population accessible within 15 minutes from dispatch (2) 80 percent of patients with first quintet hour diagnosis shall be should be reached within 8 minutes from dispatch (3) through relocation of stations response time shall be shorter than current situation |

COMPONENT 12: Human, modern and accessible mental health care

The objective of the component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan is to foster systemic improvements in mental health care in Slovakia, underpinned by cooperation across different sectors of public administration and professional organisations. The measures aim to modernise psychiatric and psychological socio-medical care, to promote mental health and the prevention of psychological disorders in the general population, to strengthen socio-medical care and to increase its accessibility.

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 resilience of the health care system and coordination between types of care (Country-Specific Recommendation 1, 2020) and long-term care (Country-Specific Recommendation 2, 2019).

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

Reform 1: Coordinated inter-ministerial cooperation and regulation

This reform aims at coordinating mental health policy and improving cooperation across different sectors of public administration. This shall be achieved by:

-establishing an inter-departmental coordination body in charge of mental health. The Council of the Government for Mental Health was to be established on 24 February 2021. The reform includes the operationalisation of its governance. One of the Council’s first tasks shall be to coordinate the drafting of the National Mental Health Programme 2022-2030, which shall be submitted to the Government for approval by 31 December 2022.

-establishing a professional organisation for psychologists, with the primary objective to increase professionalism and ensure regulation in education, disciplinary supervision and the provision of legal assistance for these professions, regardless of the sector in which they are carried out.

In order to better target this reform and the investments in this component, the first epidemiological study in the field of mental disorders shall be prepared by 31 December 2022. This study shall provide a mapping of the current epidemiologic situation of mental disorders in Slovakia.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

Reform 2: Development of acutely underestimated capacity areas in mental health care

This reform aims at developing accessible socio-medical mental health care with an emphasis on increasing the extent of community care. This shall be achieved by prioritising mapping of acutely scarce services in Slovakia and developing a strategy for their priority development.

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

Investment 1: Project management and project preparation of investments

A coordination unit shall be set up to manage investments 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. The tasks of the coordination unit shall be to monitor, record and control the progression of projects and the fulfilment of the conditions specified in calls including their timeline, to ensure the timely delivery and fulfilment of the milestones and targets under component 12.

The coordination unit shall keep records of the number and categories of beds and other capacities in facilities by mapping these at the level of towns and cities, and timely draw attention to potential risks in the implementation of projects and propose appropriate solutions to resolve these. For the construction of the new detention facilities the coordination unit shall not only manage the project but also prepare the project.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 2: Creation of detention facilities

The aim is to provide adequate care for a small group of psychiatric patients who committed serious criminal offences. The establishment of detention facilities is not part of the deinstitutionalisation process, but is a necessary and complementary safety and healthcare measure for a small group of patients.

Two detention facilities shall be set up with a capacity of 75 beds each, one being already under construction.

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

Investment 3: Building psycho-social centres

The objective of this measure is to ensure adequate care for long-term patients in their home environment by mobile teams, thereby limiting placement in institutional facilities or improving the quality of life in these facilities. The measure shall prevent the need of or reduce the duration of hospitalisation. The measure shall focus on adults and paediatric patients with limited social adaptation.

The centres shall provide health and social services through a multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, social worker, special and therapeutic educator). A total of 11 centres shall be established. In the case of building renovations, the minimum objective is to achieve an average primary energy saving of 30%.

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

Investment 4: Completing the psychiatric stationary network

The aim of this investment is to complete the network of psychiatric stationary facilities, providing daily psychiatric care as an intermediate step between institutional and out-patient psychiatric care.

A total of 12 stationary facilities shall be constructed. In the case of building renovations, the minimum objective is to achieve an average primary energy saving of 30%.

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

Investment 5: Establishment of specialised centres for autism spectrum disorders 

The aim is to increase the availability of specialised care facilities for autism spectrum disorders to ensure adequate treatment for this condition. A total of 4 new diagnostic-intervention centres for people with autism spectrum disorders shall be established. Staff shall be trained in the most recent diagnostic and intervention methods for this condition. In the case of building renovations, the minimum objective is to achieve an average primary energy saving of 30%.

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

  

Investment 7: Humanisation of institutional psychiatric care

The investment’s objective is a renovation of institutional psychiatric facilities to improve the conditions for hospitalization. This shall be achieved by reducing the number of patients per room with independent sanitary facilities. The overall patient capacity shall remain unchanged. Another measure shall be the replacement of enclosure beds by secured isolation rooms.

A total capacity for 244 patients shall be subject to renovation. The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 December 2025.

Investment 8: Training in mental health for staff

The aim of this investment is to increase the number of professional staff with modern education, making it possible to increase the availability and quality of care provided. The objective shall be achieved by updating curricula to the requirements of modern practices and introducing new types of care. Legislative barriers to the recognition of foreign qualifications shall be removed and clinical training of the health sector shall be made available for mental health professionals from all sectors. Training in mental health shall be provided to health sector workers as well as professionals outside of the health care sector.

A total of at least 336 health care sector workers shall be retrained in different types of programmes in mental health.

In order to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis through a national mental health promotion line providing psychological support by phone and online shall be operated during the pandemic.

The implementation of this measure shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

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 | 12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Reform 1: Coordinated inter-ministerial cooperation and regulation | Milestone | Establishment of two coordination entities for mental health | Full operationalisation of the entities |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | Two coordination entities shall be established:  1.Council of the Government for Mental Health;  2.The Association of psychologists    The Council shall coordinate policies across competent ministries in the area of mental health. It shall produce the National Mental Health Programme and Action Plan, which shall be approved by the Slovak Government    The Association shall be a registered professional organization of psychologist in all functional sectors (i.e. not only limited to health care sector). It shall operate a digital registry of professional psychologists working in the fields of health, education, social affairs, justice, home affairs, defence and others. |
| 2 | 12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 1: Project management and project preparation of investments    12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 2: Creation of detention facilities | Target | Patient capacity of detention facilities |  | Number | 0 | 150 | Q4 | 2025 | Entry into use of new detention facilities with a capacity for 150 psychiatric patients. |
| 3 | 12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Reform 2: Development of acutely underestimated capacity areas in mental health care  12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 3: Building psycho-social centres;    12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 4: Completing the psychiatric stationary network;    12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 5: Establishment of specialised centres for autism spectrum disorders | Target | Number of created community-based mental health care centres |  | Number | 0 | 27 | Q4 | 2025 | Entry into use of 27 community-based health and social care centres: psycho-social centres, day-time stationary facilities and facilities for autistic type disorders. |
| 5 | 12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 7: Humanisation of institutional psychiatric care | Target | Patient capacity in converted rooms in institutional psychiatric care. |  | Number | 0 | 244 | Q4 | 2025 | Completed reconstruction of rooms into 2-bed rooms in institutional psychiatric care with sanitary facilities and replacement of enclosure beds with isolation rooms. |
| 6 | 12 – Human, modern and accessible mental health care - Investment 8: Training in mental health for staff | Target | Number of health sector workers trained in mental health |  | Number | 0 | 336 | Q2 | 2025 | Of the overall objective of providing training in mental health to 373 workers, short-term or long-term certified training in mental health shall be completed for 336 health workers. |

COMPONENT 13: Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care

Slovakia’s long-term care system is not ready for the expected rapid ageing of the population. The proportion of the population older than 65 years of age shall increase from the current 16% to over 24% by 2040. Access to quality and affordable long-term care is insufficient, due to general underfunding of community and home-based care services, fragmented governance, and the lack of systemic coordination of social and healthcare services. There is no comprehensive, adequate strategy encompassing both social and health care aspects. The assessment of long-term care needs for persons with disabilities is also incoherent. Supervision of social care is inefficient and particularly insufficient as regards home-based care. Moreover, the financing system is fragmented and favours institutionalised care amid a lack of support for home-based and community-based services. For this reason, proper long-term and palliative care services are lacking, particularly in home-based and community-based care settings.

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan shall prepare Slovakia for a rapidly ageing population by ensuring high-quality, accessible and comprehensive support for people in need of long-term and palliative care. The provision of such care shall also increase the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, as well as their level of social protection. The regulatory reforms aim at a more coherent and better coordinated care system linking social and health care, an improved funding scheme centred around people’s needs and providing better incentives for community-based care, a more coherent assessment of care needs for persons with disabilities, and improved supervision of social care. Investments shall result in additional long-term care, palliative care and after-care service capacities, in particular in the provision of home-based and community-based care.

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 Country Specific Recommendation no 2 from 2019, enhancing access to affordable and quality long-term care, and to addressing Country Specific Recommendation no 1 from 2020, improving coordination between types of care. It shall also make a contribution to safeguarding the long-term sustainability of public finances, in particular of the health care system, as recommended in Country Specific Recommendation no 1 from 2019.

Reform 1: Integration and financing of long-term social and health care

This reform aims at overhauling the structures of long-term social and health care to ensure better coordination between types of care and to make financing more effective. In particular, it shall establish a coherent framework comprising both social and health care. The main change to the funding system concerns the introduction of a personal budget for persons with care needs rather than the current fragmented financing of care providers. The reformed funding scheme shall also enhance efforts to de-institutionalise care by improving incentives for home-based and community-based care.

The new law on long-term and palliative care shall enter into force by 31 March 2023, and new legislation on the financing of social services shall enter into force by 31 December 2025.

Reform 2: Assessment of care needs

The assessment of long-term care needs for persons with disabilities is incoherent amid a fragmented system. While not the case for the provision of social services, the recognition of severe disabilities is a precondition for the granting of personal assistance and care allowance.

This reform shall improve and streamline the way persons with severe disabilities are recognised. It shall introduce a unified framework and assessment system for personal assistance and care to persons with severe disabilities. The main assessment shall be carried out by labour, social and family offices and according to a uniform methodology based on the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, assessing a wide range of needs. To reduce administrative burden and as part of digitalisation efforts, assessors shall use the e-health system. Assessors across the 46 branch offices shall receive the equipment necessary to carry out their work.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2024.

Reform 3: Consolidation of the supervision of social care and provision of necessary infrastructure

The system of supervision of social care provision is fragmented and inefficient. Supervision and control are currently carried out by different authorities at national and regional level without a clear allocation of competences. Capacities for supervision are insufficient. Informal care and personal assistance, particularly home-based care provided by family members, are not covered.

This reform shall consolidate the supervision of social care. A unified supervisory authority shall be established. It shall oversee the provision of social services and their quality, the quality and scope of assistance for persons receiving a personal budget for care needs, and the provision of healthcare in social services (together with the Healthcare Supervisory Authority). The quality of care shall be assessed according to a methodology developed in line with the WHO’s Quality Rights Toolkit. The measure shall also provide the necessary infrastructure for the new system of supervision, composed of the headquarters and eight regional branches, including premises, vehicles and IT equipment.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 March 2024.

Investment 1: Enhancing community-based social care capacities

In Slovakia, the provision of formal social services is skewed towards residential services of an institutional nature, dominated by large-scale care facilities rather than smaller community-based facilities. Outpatient care services are lacking.

Based on reform 1 of component 13 Integration and financing of long-term social and health care, this investment shall expand the capacity of community-based care and outpatient facilities, allowing patients to be transferred from large-scale facilities to smaller community-type facilities, providing additional capacity to new beneficiaries, and reducing the burden on informal carers. Specifically, by constructing new buildings and by renovating existing buildings, at least 3 982 weighted capacity units in finished buildings shall be created in community-based facilities and low-capacity health-social care facilities combined. Moreover, at least 1 259 weighted capacity units in finished buildings shall be created in new, low-capacity outpatient facilities by constructing new buildings or renovating existing buildings.

In the case of building renovations, the minimum objective is to achieve an average primary energy saving of 30%.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 2: Extension and renewal of after-care and nursing capacities

There is a lack of legislative clarity and capacity for after-care of patients after hospitalisation to ensure the best possible rehabilitation. This lack contributes to unnecessary and inefficient re- hospitalisation that are overburdening hospitals. Capacities for home-based nursing are also lacking.

This investment shall strengthens care capacities to ensure good after-care for persons in need after they are released from the hospital, and to expand home-based nursing capacities. Specifically, at least 650 new after-care beds shall be created, utilising freed up capacities of chronic and acute care following the optimisation of the hospital network as outlined in component 11 of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan or by building aftercare beds. In addition, at least 91 home nursing providers shall receive support. This comprises establishing at least 11 new home nursing providers and fully equipping at least 80 existing ones.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed 30 June 2026.

Investment 3: Enhancing and restoring palliative care capacities

The network of palliative services for patients with a terminal illness is insufficient and does not meet international recommendations. There is less than half of the number of recommended ambulant hospices available and their quality of care is compromised by their set-up, while being the preferred type of hospice service for the majority of patients. In addition, there are significant regional differences in the availability of services. Palliative care departments are established in only three of the eight regions.

Based on reform 1 of component 13 Integration and financing of long-term social and health care, this investment shall expand and improve capacities for palliative care, amid a lack of such services, in line with the strategy of de-institutionalisation, privileging home-based and community-based care. The investment shall comprise:

·Creating at least 270 new palliative care beds in low-capacity hospices, with an average capacity of 20 beds for each hospice, in underserved areas by constructing new hospices and renovating existing ones.  Palliative wards and palliative beds in hospitals shall be created by renovating existing beds or expanding them with additional beds.

·Extending and renewing mobile palliative care by setting up new mobile hospices and by renewing existing ones. This comprises providing necessary physical and technical equipment for 26 units in total. 

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 September 2025.

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 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care - Reform 1: Available and quality long-term socio-health care – Reform of integration and financing of long-term social and health care | Milestone | New legislative framework for long-term health and palliative care | Entry into force of a new law on long-term and palliative care and of the regulation of financing of palliative and nursing care |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | The first phase of the implementation of the reform consists of regulating the reimbursement by health insurance companies of nursing care in social services facilities, the arrangements for the contract of nursing care by insurance companies and the adjustment of reimbursements by health insurance companies for palliative and outpatient and inpatient care. The adoption of this legislative amendment is foreseen by Q1 2022.  The next phase of implementation consists of the development and approval of new legislation. A new health law shall define the scope of long-term health and palliative care and define after care and its linkage with other types of care. This law shall be adopted by Q1 2023. The legislative amendments shall regulate the areas currently defined by Act No 576/2004 on health care and services related to the provision of healthcare |
| 2 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Reform 1:Available and quality long-term socio-health care – Reform of integration and financing of long-term social and health care | Milestone | Publication of the concept of financing social services for public debate | Published concept on the financing of social services |  |  |  | Q4 | 2023 | As a result of the first phase of the preparation of the reform of the financing of social services, a new concept for the financing of social services shall be proposed by the the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic for stakeholder consultation. |
| 3 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care - Reform 1: Available and quality long-term socio-health care – Reform of integration and financing of long-term social and health care | Milestone | The new financing system of social services – introduction of a personal budget | Entry into force of the act on the financing of social services |  |  |  | Q4 | 2025 | Entry into force of legislation on social services which shall introduce a new financing system based on a personal budget for the deprived person. The reform shall abolish a large number of different contributions and create space for targeted and comprehensive support for people in need of long-term care. The reform of funding shall support the emergence and development of services in the community. The legislative amendments shall regulate the areas currently defined in particular by Act No 448/2008 on social services and Act No 447/2008 Coll. on cash allowances to compensate for severe disability. |
| 4 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care - Reform 2: Available and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Assessment of care needs | Milestone | Unification of the assessment system | Entry into force of the act on social services and amending Act 447/2008 on compensa-tion of severely disabled persons |  |  |  | Q1 | 2024 | Entry into force of legislation on social services which shall bring together the assessment work carried out so far by various bodies and, at the same time, amend Act No 447/2008 on compensation of severely disabled persons.  The reform of the assessment work shall remove inefficiencies and red tape for medical assessors and assessors. New uniform criteria for sub-dependency shall be defined to make the assessment more transparent. The assessment work shall be digitised – medical assessors shall use the e-health system. To ensure efficient implementation of the reform, the financial resources under this reform shall be used to provide computer and office equipment for 200 assessment staff. |
| 5 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care - Reform 3: Reforming the supervision of social care and providing infrastructure for its implementation | Milestone | Reform of the supervision of social care | Entry into force of the act on the supervision of social care |  |  |  | Q2 | 2022 | Entry into force of a law in the area of social care supervision which shall unify the powers of supervision and;  —Create the legislative basis for the functioning of the new social welfare supervisory/inspection;  — Define new conditions for quality of care in social services and households;  — Extend the area of supervision to include the supervision of informal home care. |
| 6 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care - Reform 3: Reforming the supervision of social care and providing infrastructure for its implementation | Target | Establishment of a unified supervisory system with headquarter and 8 branches |  | Number | 0 | 9 | Q1 | 2024 | Completion of the necessary infrastructure for the functioning of the supervisory body – headquarter and 8 regional branches. Costs include premises, vehicles, computer equipment and other prerequisites. |
| 7 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Enhancement of the capacities of community-based residential services and health-social low-capacity facilities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |  | Number | 0 | 441 | Q2 | 2024 | At least 441 weighted capacity units in finished buildings shall be created in community-based facilities and low-capacity health-social care facilities combined, by constructing new buildings and by renovating existing buildings.  Community-based facilities mainly refer to family housing facilities with a capacity of up to 12 places each. Health-social care facilities shall have a capacity of up to 30 places each.  The facilities shall be built/reconstructed in accordance with the principles of universal design and shall be low-capacity, thus fulfilling the conditions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |
| 8 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Enhancement of the capacities of community-based residential services and health-social low-capacity facilities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |  | Number | 0 | 3 982 | Q2 | 2026 | The overall objective is to create 3 982 weighted capacity units in finished buildings (of which 2 119 weighted capacity units in finished buildings in community-based facilities and 1 863 weighted capacity units in finished buildings in low-capacity health-social facilities), which shall be created by constructing new buildings and by renovating existing buildings. Community-based facilities mainly refer to family housing facilities with a capacity of up to 12 places each. Health-social care facilities shall have a capacity of up to 30 places each.  The facilities shall be built/reconstructed in accordance with the principles of universal design and shall be low-capacity, thus fulfilling the conditions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |
| 9 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Expansion of outpatient service capacities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |  | Number | 0 | 154 | Q2 | 2024 | 154 places (weighted capacity units in finished buildings) for outpatient services in new outpatient facilities (e.g. daily stationary, rehabilitation centre) shall be created through the construction of new buildings or the renovation of existing buildings. These facilities shall partly serve as respite care to reduce the burden of informal carers. The facilities be built/reconstructed in accordance with the principles of universal design and shall be low-capacity, thus fulfilling the terms of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |
| 10 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Expansion of outpatient service capacities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |  | Number | 0 | 1 259 | Q2 | 2026 | 1 259 places (weighted capacity units in finished buildings) for outpatient services in new outpatient facilities (eg. Daily stationary, rehabilitation centre) shall be created through the construction of new buildings or the renovation of existing buildings. These facilities shall partly serve as respite care to reduce the burden of informal carers. The facilities shall be built/reconstructed in accordance with the principles of universal design and shall be low-capacity, thus fulfilling the terms of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |
| 11 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 2: Extension and restoration of after-care and nursing capacities | Target | Extension and renewal of home nursing providers (indicator: number of providers supported) |  | Number | 0 | 91 | Q1 | 2025 | Investment in the physical and technical equipment of 91 new and existing home nursing agencies. It shall support the establishment of at least 11 new ones and the re-equipment of at least 80 existing home nursing agencies. |
| 12 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 2: Extension and restoration of after-care and nursing capacities | Target | Creation of after care beds by reconstructing existing acute and chronic beds or by building aftercare beds (indicator: minimum number of aftercare beds reconstructed or newly created) |  | Number | 0 | 650 | Q2 | 2026 | At least 650 after-care beds shall be created by utilizing freed up capacities of chronic and acute care following the optimisation of the hospital network or by building aftercare beds. After-care beds shall serve to treat patients after hospitalisation in acute beds. |
| 13 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 3: Extension and restoration of palliative care capacities | Target | Expansion and renewal of residential palliative care capacities (indicator: number of bed places created and restored) |  | Number | 0 | 270 | Q3 | 2025 | This investment comprises the creation of at least 270 beds by construction of new hospices (20 beds on average) and reconstruction of existing hospices. Hospices shall be used for long-term palliative care for patients whose condition or family situation does not allow for palliative treatment at home. The beds of palliative compartments shall be created by reconstructing existing beds or constructing new beds. |
| 14 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 3: Extension and restoration of palliative care capacities | Target | Extension and renewal of the mobile hospices network (indicator: number of new and rebuilt providers) |  | Number | 0 | 26 | Q1 | 2025 | As part of this investment in the physical and technical equipment of new and existing mobile hospices, new mobile hospices and existing ones shall be supported, for 26 units in total. |

COMPONENT 14: Improve the business environment

Slovakia’s business environment has slowly been losing ground. Frequent changes to the legislative environment and high regulatory burden entail costs for businesses, costly and lengthy insolvency procedures hinder resource reallocation, and an opaque public procurement framework slows down investment and leads to sub-optimal procurement.

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan aims at making various improvements to the business environment. The measures aim at reducing administrative burden to businesses, upgrading and digitalising the insolvency framework, and improving public procurement procedures.

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 thereby contributes to addressing Country Specific Recommendation 4 of 2020 to ensure a favourable business environment as well as to Country Specific Recommendation 3 of 2019 by addressing public procurement challenges.

Reform 1: Reducing regulatory burden for businesses

A heavy administrative and regulatory burden negatively affects investment and innovation, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Despite government efforts, administrative burden is not being reduced enough and the Slovak business environment is slowly losing ground in international comparisons.

This reform shall reduce the administrative burden to businesses by introducing the following tools: the ex ante evaluation of planned transposition legislation to prevent unjustified gold plating; the ex post evaluation of the effectiveness and justification of already introduced regulation; the 1-in-2-out rule that ensures new legislation does not increase administrative cost for businesses; and 300 individual measures based on stakeholder consultations that are suited to simplifying administrative requirements to businesses.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2024.

Reform 2: Harmonising and digitalising insolvency procedures

Slovakia’s insolvency proceedings are lengthy and costly. Proper early warning mechanisms are lacking, there are no specialised courts for dealing with insolvency procedures, and the lack of a fully digitalised workflow slows down processes.

This reform shall establish unified and digitalised insolvency and restructuring procedures that improve their transparency, time and cost. It shall put in place an improved and harmonised insolvency framework, including early warning tools and insolvency specialisation in business courts.

The legislation concerning early warning mechanisms shall enter into force by 31 January 2022. The respective legislative amendments of Act No 7/2005 on bankruptcy and restructuring, Act No 328/1991 on bankruptcy and composition, Act No 8/2005 on trustees, Act No 757/2004 on courts and Act No 371/2004 on the seats and districts of the courts of the Slovak Republic shall enter into force by 31 March 2023.

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

  

Reform 3: Public procurement procedures

The complexity and length of the public procurement verification procedures remains a blocking factor for potential beneficiaries. In addition, there is scope to increase the use of quality related and lifecycle cost criteria. At the same time, proper safeguards need to be ensured. In the context of distrust towards public institutions, public buyers need to make more effort to regain confidence from businesses, media and the public at large. Benefits of professionalization efforts so far are only emerging slowly.

The reform of public procurement shall simplify and accelerate procedures while ensuring proper safeguards. It also aims at improving control by digitalising and automating award and evaluation of contracts. The legislative reform shall regulate both above-limit and below-limit public procedures as well as those with low value. Public procurement procedures shall be simplified and shortened, control procedures improved, and transparency increased in particular by setting up a single, public electronic platform for the entire procurement process, including for below-threshold and low-value contracts. All changes, particularly as proper safeguards such as transparency requirements, review procedures and the separation of tasks and competences are concerned, shall fully comply with EU law. In order to improve the use of quality criteria, rules for green public procurement are expected to be strengthened. It is expected that a further strengthening of the use of quality criteria shall be achieved through non-regulatory means. The measure shall enhance further professionalisation of public procurement by building capacities of the Public Procurement Office. Specifically, the provision of trainings in various formats to improve the application of –reformed- public procurement procedures shall take place.

The reform of the Public Procurement Act shall enter into force by 31 March 2022. The single electronic platform shall be operational by 30 June 2023.

Investment 1: Capacities for reforms to reduce regulatory burden

The swift implementation of reforms to reduce administrative burden requires temporary capacities, in particular lawyers and analysts, in the responsible public bodies.

This investment therefore envisages temporary project teams to design and carry out reform 1. It shall comprise legal experts and analysts. The ex ante and ex post evaluations and the application of the 1-in-2-out rule shall be carried out. Online reporting of the compliance check of the 1-in-2-out principle (virtual account) shall confirm that the rule is put into practice.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2025.

Investment 2: Digitalisation of insolvency processes

The lack of a comprehensive digital system is one of the key reasons for the backlog of insolvency proceedings. The current insolvency register works essentially as a publishing platform, but does not allow for digital case handling across actors involved. This contributes to lengthy procedures with negative implications for the business environment and for efficient resource reallocation.

The investment shall fully digitalise insolvency procedures in order to shorten them and reduce the cost for entrepreneurs. This shall comprise digitalising liquidation, bankruptcy, restructuring and debt discharge, including pre-insolvency proceedings. Various actors shall be connected to it, such as courts, creditors, and the public.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 31 December 2024. 

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 |
|  |  |  |  |  | Measurement unit | Background | Target | Quarter | Year |  |
| 1 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Reform 1:Reducing the regulatory burden on business | Milestone | introduction of the new regulatory burden reduction tools:—Implementation of the “1in-2out” rule – Introduction of ex-post evaluation of existing regulations (legislative and non-legislative materials) – Introduction of protection against unjustified goldplating | Entry into force of resolutions updating the Unified Methodology for the Assessment of Selected Impacts |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | Entry into force of government resolutions updating the Unified Methodology for the Assessment of Selected Impacts and introducing new tools to reduce regulatory burden:—Introduction of the “1-in-2out” rule into 1Q/2022—Introduction of ex-post evaluation of existing regulations (legislative materials up to 1Q/2022 and non-legislative materials up to 1Q/2023) as regards their effectiveness and justification – Introduction of protection against unjustified goldplating by 4Q/2022 – Investment implementation to implement measures to reduce the regulatory burden on business. |
| 2 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Investment 1: Capacities for reforms to reduce regulatory burden | Milestone | 1in-2out rule, ex ante evaluation to prevent goldplating and ex post evaluations of existing regulation | Evaluations carried out by the Ministry of Economy |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | Online reporting of the compliance check of the 1-in-2-out principle (virtual account) shall confirm that the rule is put into practice: Control of submitted legislative materials (1 500) / Preparation of trainings for submitters of legislative and non-legislative materials (3) / Number of consultations provided for submitters (300) / Number of virtual account updates on the website of the Ministry of Economy (36)  Regular ex-post evaluation of the effectiveness and justification of existing regulations: Review of submitted regulations (250). Training for submitters of legislative materials (3) and providing 75 consultations. A mechanism shall be developed to control the application of the principle of ex-post evaluation.  Implementation of protection against unjustified goldplating: Control of submitted evaluations of legislative materials (100) / Trainings for submitters of legislative materials (3) / Number of consultations (75) / A mechanism for monitoring the application of the principle of protection against unjustified gold-plating shall be developed. |
| 3 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Reform 1: Reducing regulatory burden on business | Milestone | Reduction of the administrative burden on entrepreneurs | Entry into force of 300 measures to reduce administrative burden |  |  |  | Q4 | 2024 | Entry into force of 300 measures to reduce administrative burden for businesses, and leading to savings for entrepreneurs. |
| 4 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Reform 2:Reform of the insolvency framework – adaptation of legislation | Milestone | Reform of the insolvency framework | Entry into force of a set of laws governing insolvency proceedings. |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | Entry into force of laws which shall establish the legal framework for the unification and full digitalisation of the liquidation, bankruptcy, restructuring and discharge of debt and, where appropriate, the resolution of impending bankruptcy, as well as the modification of the legal and procedural frameworks for the digitalisation of forced liquidation processes. It includes the introduction of early warning tools and creates an insolvency specialisation at the level of business courts.  The government and parliament approve a set of laws:—A new law on non-public financial restructuring and public preventive restructuring;—Amendment to Act No 7/2005 on Bankruptcy and Restructuring, – Amendment to Act No 8/2005 on Administrators, – Amendment to Act No 328/1991 on bankruptcy and arrangement;—Amendment to Act No 757/2004 on Courts;—Amendment to Act No 371/2004 on the seats and districts of the courts of the Slovak Republic. |
| 5 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Investment 2:Digitalisation of insolvency processes | Target | A single, fully digitised insolvency process is fully operational. |  | % of insolvency procedures done via unified digital process | 0 | 100 | Q4 | 2024 | The single fully digitised insolvency process has been tested and launched and is used in all insolvency proceedings. Entry into operation of a public administration information system (technical framework) focusing on insolvency law and exit processes with multi-user modules (custodians, creditors, courts, the public, realisation of assets) and further functionalities for early warning of impending insolvency, discharge of debt of natural persons, cross-border exchange of information, provision of statistical and analytical data and disclosure of information. |
| 6 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Reform 3: Reform of public procurement – adaptation of legislation | Milestone | Reform of the Public Procurement Procedures Act | Entry into force of the revised Act on Public Procurement Procedures by Parliament |  |  |  | Q1 | 2022 | An amendment to the Public Procurement Procedures Act approved by the Government and the Parliament and entered into force will ensure:  — Accelerating and simplifying the procurement procedure.  — Accelerating the process also with a view to exercising the rights of the candidates, tenderers, participants and other persons concerned.  —Improving control of public procurement by automating the award and evaluation of contracts and ensuring efficient collection and analysis of price data.  — Ensure proper safeguards, in particular as regards transparency and any proposed amendments will be in line with both the relevant Directives of the European Parliament and of the Council as well as the rules laid down in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. |
| 7 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Reform 3: Reform of public procurement – digitalisation of public procurement processes | Milestone | Digitalisation of public procurement processes through a single electronic platform. | The single electronic platform is fully operational as regards the 6 new functionalities. |  |  |  | Q2 | 2023 | Digitalisation of public procurement processes shall be tested and fully operational, including interoperability with the information system of the Central reference data management (IS CSRÚ) pursuant to Act No 305/2013 Coll. allowing for automatic completion of contracting entity data, the extension of the scope to all goods and services.. Features:  —Submission of below-threshold works, supplies and services not only those normally available on the market;  — Award of a contract with a criterion other than price;  —Market research for low value contracts;  — Publication of low value contracts;  — Creation of the functionality for automated ranking of tenders;  —Integration with the information system of the Central reference data management (IS CSRÚ) pursuant to Act No 305/2013 Coll. |

COMPONENT 15: Judicial reform

In Slovakia, specific concerns on the overall integrity of its justice system were raised, and trust in the judiciary ranks poorly compared to other EU countries. Corruption continues to pose a challenge and corruption perceptions remain problematic.

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan aims at further increasing the efficiency, integrity and independence of the justice system as well as at fighting corruption. The aim of the reform of the judicial map is to introduce the specialisation of judges and thus create scope for better and faster court decisions. The investments connected to the reform of the judicial map have two overarching aims. The first aim is to upgrade existing premises and construct or procure new premises for key courts in the new judicial map. The second aim is to invest in analytical capacities, digital technologies and the electronicisation of judicial processes, in order to contribute to better quality and faster services and increased procedural transparency, and to reduce the scope for corrupt practices.

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 contributes to addressing Country Specific Recommendation 2019.4 and Country Specific Recommendation 2020.4, namely to improve the effectiveness and to address integrity concerns in the justice system, as well as to increase efforts to detect and to prosecute corruption, and ensure effective supervision and enforcement of the anti-money laundering framework.

Reform 1: Reorganising the judicial map

The fragmentation of Slovakia’s judicial system undermines its effectiveness. Judges are unable to specialise to a sufficient degree, hampering efficiency and quality of court decisions. Moreover, the system’s heterogeneity results in a lack of transparency.

This reform therefore shall improve the efficiency and quality of the judiciary. To this end, it shall reorganise the system of courts by streamlining it and thereby allowing for a greater specialisation of judges in criminal, civil, commercial and family justice, paving the way for better and faster court decisions. It shall comprise a new network of first instance administrative and ordinary courts (including municipal courts), appeal courts, and a Supreme Administrative Court.

The main legislation implementing the reform of the judicial map shall enter into force by 31 December 2021. The transition of the judiciary system to a smaller number of courts and with specialised judges shall be completed by 31 March 2023.

Reform 2: Fighting corruption and strengthening the integrity and independence of the judiciary

The high level of perceived corruption is coupled with a lack of trust in the judiciary. A particular concern is the lack of means to prosecute corruption and money laundering.

This reform entails a package of legislative changes aimed at improving judicial integrity and independence, and fighting corruption and money laundering more effectively. This reform shall be implemented in compliance with Article 19 TEU to ensure effective judicial protection.

To strengthen judicial integrity and independence:

·The Supreme Administrative Court shall be established with the power to act as a disciplinary court for judges, prosecutors, bailiffs, notaries and administrators (linked to reform 1).

·The Judicial Council shall receive more competences in the verification of assets and judicial expertise of judges. Moreover, a regional principle shall be introduced to the election to the Judicial Council to ensure better representativeness.

·The election of judges to the Constitutional Court shall be improved and made more transparent by several means, such as a safeguard against parliamentary passivity in electing judges, the introduction of a rotational principle election of judges to reduce the risk of having too many judges selected by a particular political party. Public hearings shall be introduced for the election of key judges (of the Constitutional Court, the Attorney General and the Special Prosecutor).

·Rules on the exercise of the judicial profession shall be amended, including an age limit of 67 years for judges and 72 years for constitutional judges.

To ensure effective supervision and enforcement of the anti-money laundering framework:

·The Office for the Management of Seized Assets shall be set up, along with an improved legal framework allowing for more effective asset seizing and management. This measure is linked to anti-money laundering efforts in component 16 of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan.

To detect and prosecute corruption:

·New criminal offences shall be introduced if judges abuse laws and if public servants ask for or promise undue advantages.

A part of these legislative changes was planned for 31 December 2020. The entire package of legislation shall enter into force by 30 September 2021.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 September 2021.

Investment 1: Buildings for the reorganised court system

The new judicial map brought about by reform 1of this component, Reorganising the judicial map, requires some new buildings, and currently available court buildings require thorough renovation or adaptation.

This investment shall expand capacity or upgrade existing or, where appropriate, build or procure new suitable premises for key courts in the new judicial map. Specifically, at least 24 909 m2 of court buildings shall be built or acquired, and at least 93 663 m2 of court buildings shall be renovated. Renovations shall achieve an average primary energy savings of at least 30%. This concerns the construction, purchasing and/or renovation of buildings under the revised judicial map, which includes district and municipal courts, regional courts, first instance administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court.

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

  

Investment 2: Digitalisation and analytical capacities 

The judicial system has significant room for improvement of the use of digital technologies, in view of increasing effectiveness and transparency. This comprises ensuring digitally and centrally available court files and IT equipment in courts.

This investment shall further improve the effectiveness of the judiciary by providing the reformed network with equipment for digital case handling, and by setting up the necessary systems. To this end, an electronic business register shall be set up. This shall be complemented by an analytical support platform providing a digital, searchable case law database, with the aim to assist judges and speed up decisions. As regards IT equipment, the investment shall equip at least 6 000 court staff with notebooks, docking stations, monitors and phones. The investment also comprises further necessary digital infrastructure for courts, such as video-conferencing technology and wireless internet.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Reform 1:Reform of the Judicial Map – Legislation | Milestone | Definition of a new judicial map | Entry into force of the Residences and districts Act |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | The entry into force of the legislative amendment shall define a new system of courts.  The changes of judicial map shall adjust the network of first instance ordinary courts, create administrative courts, adjust ordinary courts of appeal and create the Supreme Administrative Court of the Slovak Republic. |
| 2 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Reform 1:Reform of the Judicial Map – Legislation | Milestone | The introduction of the new court network | Reorganized court network is operational |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | The transition of the administration of justice to a smaller number of courts is completed and judges have been designated to a specialisation (among civil, family, criminal and commercial law) in at least 3 court agendas in each new judicial district (Q1/2023). The new network of first instance ordinary and administrative courts, the ordinary courts of appeal and the Supreme Administrative Court of the Slovak Republic (Q1/2023) is established and operational. |
| 3 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 1: reorganisation of courts – renovation of buildings | Target | Reconstructed area of court buildings in m²) |  | Area (m2) | 0 | 93 663 | Q4 | 2025 | Of the overall objective to reconstruct 104 070 square metres of court buildings, at least 93 663 square metres shall be reconstructed with a view to modernising and increasing their capacity as a result of the increase in judicial staff and judges in the merged judicial districts. |
| 4 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 1:Reorganisation of courts – Construction/procurement of new buildings | Target | Area of court buildings constructed or purchased ( in m²) |  | Area (m2) | 0 | 24 909 | Q4 | 2025 | Of the overall objective to construct or purchase 27 677 square metres of modern buildings for the needs of the largest courts in the judicial system, at least 24 909 square metres shall be constructed or purchased. |
| 5 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Reform 2:Fighting corruption and strengthening the integrity and independence of the judiciary | Milestone | Package of laws to fight corruption and strengthen integrity and independence of the justice system | Entry into force of the Judicial Reform Act, the Constitutio-nal Act, the amended Act on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the amended Criminal Code, and the Disciplinary Rules of the Supreme Administra-tion of the Court of Justice of the Slovak Republic |  |  |  | Q3 | 2021 | Entry into force of the Act on the Management of Frozen Assets, the Judicial Reform Act, the Constitutional Act, the amended Act on the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the amended criminal code. the adoption of the Disciplinary Rules for the Supreme Administrative Court of the Slovak Republic |
| 6 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 2:Supporting instruments for reform of the Judicial Map – Commercial Register and Centralised System of Judicial Governance | Milestone | Development and handover of an IT system – Business Register | Full electronic communication of the Commercial Register with firms and courts |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | Entry into service of a modern IT system enabling entrepreneurs and courts to carry out business register activities fully electronically. |
| 8 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 2: | Target | Modernisa-tion of court IT equipment for the court staff |  | Number | 0 | 6 000 | Q4 | 2024 | The digital equipment of the courts to make their work more efficient, to equip them with technology for the efficient conduct of hearings and acts at a distance shall be purchased and delivered. Of the overall objective to equip 6 100 court staff, the modernisation of IT equipment (new notebooks, docking stations, monitors, phones) shall be carried out for at least 6 000 court staff as reorganised after the reform of the judicial map. |
| 9 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 2:Judicial Map Reform Support Tools – Analytic Support Platform | Milestone | Creation of an analytical support platform for access to case law in courts | Analytical support platform is fully operational. |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | The analytical support platform on case law is operational and available to courts, enabling judges to use the case law database in order to speed up the process of studying files. |

COMPONENT 16: Fight against corruption and money laundering, security and protection of the population

Slovakia ranks poorly in corruption perception indicators and trust in the police. Governance is fragmented and has limited capacity, hindering public service delivery and public investment, and financial crime is insufficiently tackled.

The key objectives of this component 16 of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan are to strengthen efforts to detect and prosecute corruption, fight against environmental crime, step up capacities of anti-money laundering efforts, optimise crisis management and strengthen administrative capacities at different levels of the government.

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).

It thereby contributes to addressing Country Specific Recommendation 4 of 2020, in particular to ensure effective supervision and enforcement of the anti-money laundering framework, and to ensure a favourable business environment and quality public services. Country Specific Recommendation 4 of 2019 is also addressed, including as regards increased efforts to detect and prosecute corruption.

Reform 1: Making the fight against corruption and money laundering more effective

New trends in international organised crime, including misuse of legal entities for money laundering purposes, are putting pressure on Slovakia to upgrade its anti-money laundering framework in order to prevent and combat economic crime.

This reform aims at enhancing the fight against money laundering and corruption. It shall improve the legal framework for asset freezing including the setting up of an office managing such assets and the competence of the police to verify their origin. It shall also introduce a central accounts register.

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

Investment 1: Tools and capacity for the fight against corruption and money laundering

The fight against corruption and money laundering requires appropriate tools, including digital solutions, and capacities.

This investment shall provide several tools and capacity building measures to support reform 1. This shall include digital software solutions for financial investigations and for the central accounts register. Financial investigations capacities in the police force shall be strengthened through trainings and equipment as well as a reorganisation, which shall create the National Centre for Special Crimes (NCODK) together with the regional offices and analytical services of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA). In addition, steps shall be taken to make the whistleblower’s office fully operational, in order to support the fight against corruption. This includes the provision of technical equipment.

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

  

Reform 2: Modernising and building capacity of the police force

The structures and capacities of the police force are outdated and lack specialised services dealing with new forms of crime and criminal analysis. The reform shall overhaul the organisation of the police force, strengthening analytical capacities and a crime technology service as well as environmental crime investigations. It shall set up a criminal engineer service, criminal analysis units and a unit to combat environmental crime and staff and equip it appropriately.

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

Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force

Insufficient digitalisation of the police force leads to inefficiencies in several areas. The reorganisation (of reform 2) requires retraining, renovations and additional equipment.

This investment shall build capacities of the police force and digitalise processes in order to make it more effective. Training and equipment shall be provided to all staff in the units established under reform 2 of this component, Modernising and building capacity of the police force.Police buildings with a floor area of at least 45 000 m2 shall be renovated, achieving on average at least 30 % primary energy savings, and at least 700 clean vehicles purchased. Digitalisation efforts shall include setting up an automated road traffic infringement system and an electronic residence permit process.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Reform 3: Optimising crisis management

Multiple crises, including the pandemic, have shown weaknesses in crisis response mechanisms.

This reform shall optimise crisis management and respective capacities and the efficient coordination of rescue services. This shall include a clear definition of the roles and cooperative arrangements of the emergency response services of the integrated rescue system, the establishment of common procedures for crisis reaction, and a joint coordination mechanism. It shall also lay out a network of Integrated Security Centres (see investment 3 of this component, Modernisation of the fire and rescue system).

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

Reform 4: Audit and Control

The efficient protection of the financial interests of the Union when implementing the Recovery and Resilience Facility is subject to the establishement of appropriate measures to prevent, detect and correct fraud, corruption and conflict of interests as defined in Article 61 of the Financial Regulation. Therefore, the improvement of the control and audit environment is a pre-requisite for the efficient implementation of the plan in compliance with the applicable Union and national law. This reform includes a new measure to protect Union financial interests in context of the RRF, in particular the adoption a) of a corruption risk management methodology and b) of procedures regarding the supervision by NIKA of that methodology’s implementation.

The reform shall be completed by 31 May 2025. This milestone shall be fulfilled before the submission of the sixth payment request submitted to the Commission.

  

Investment 3: Modernisation of the fire and rescue system

Integrated crisis management requires appropriate infrastructure for its coordination. Outdated and fragmented communication and information infrastructure of the emergency response services slows down crisis response. In addition, part of the fire rescue service infrastructure is in unsatisfactory technical condition.

This investment aims at providing the necessary physical and digital infrastructure for full implementation of reform 3 of this component, Optimising crisis management. To this end, it shall support the renovation of an existing building hosting an Integrated Service Centre, and shall launch a virtual integrated security centre. In addition, at least one new firefighting station shall be built and at least one shall be renovated.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 4: Streamlining, optimising and strengthening administrative capacity at different levels of government

Public investment is held back by a lack of administrative capacity in implementation at several levels. Sizeable investment envisaged in the plan implies the need to further increase capacities for managing these investments. In addition, service delivery is hampered by fragmented governance at municipal level.

This reform shall strengthen administrative capacities both at local level and at national level for implementing the reforms and investments of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan. To this end, the National Implementation and Coordination Authority for the Slovak RRP (NIKA) shall be set up. The entering into force of the Recovery and Resilience Facility Act shall be in place by the time of the first payment request and at that moment not depart in any material way from the description provided in the final Slovak plan. A repository system for recording and storing all relevant data related to the implementation of the recovery and resilience plan - the achievement of milestones and targets, data on final recipients, contractors, subcontractors and beneficial owners - should be confirmed to be operational by 31 December 2021. Slovakia shall submit a dedicated audit report confirming the effectiveness of the functionalities of the repository system.

Media and communication activities are also expected to be supported. At local level, at least 20 shared service centres shall be set up to improve the efficiency of public service delivery at the local level, particularly in disadvantaged regions.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility Act shall enter into force by 31 December 2021. Audit report confirming repository system functionalities shall be completed by 31 December 2021. The IT system for NIKA shall be functional by 30 September 2022. At least 20 shared service centres shall be established by 31 December 2024.

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 | 16 – Fight against corruption and money laundering - Reform 1:Making the fight against corruption and AML more effective | Milestone | Reforms to streamline and improve financial investigations | Entry into force of the act 312/2020 on asset freezing and of an act establishing a Central Accounts Register |  |  |  | Q1 | 2022 | Entry into force of the legislation which shall establish a framework for the entry into operation of the Central Accounts Register. The police’s authority to check property in the event of a discrepancy between legal income and used property will be expanded. An office for the management of seized assets is operational and possibilities for asset freezing expanded. |
| 2 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 1:Tools and capacity for the fight against corruption and money laundering | Milestone | Providing necessary Infrastructure to support the fight against money laundering and corruption | AML-related and whistleblower infrastructure is fully operational. |  |  |  | Q4 | 2023 | Completion of the following steps:  - Purchase of the “go AML” software tool until Q4/2022 and implementing it by Q3/2023.  - Launch of a test version of the Central Accounts Register with all in the Act predefined functionalities with access to data up to Q2/2022 and subsequent launch of the final version in Q4/2022.  - Operationalisation and full technical equipment of the whistle-blower protection office until Q3/2022.  - Adaptation of premises and ICT equipment of NCODK and NAKA units for financial investigation and verification of the origin of assets by regional level (model 1 + 4) to Q4/2023. |
| 3 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 1:Tools and capacity for the fight against corruption and money laundering | Target | Retraining police officers in financial investigations and analytical activities |  | % of staff trained | 0 | 100 | Q4 | 2023 | Establishment of the NAKA Analytical Centre and the Regional Analytical and Financial Investigation Offices of the NAKA and also establishment Regional Analytical and Financial Investigation Offices of the National Centre of Special Crimes (NCODK) in Q1/2022.All appointed staff in the newly established units of the police forces attended training, workshops and seminars with the participation of foreign and national lecturers, cooperation in training with CEPOL and EUROPOL. |
| 4 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Reform 2:Modernisation and capacity building of the police force | Milestone | Implementation of organisational changes to police to increase the efficiency of crime detection, investigation and detection of corruption | Organisational change of the police force is effective. |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | Organisational changes aimed at creating a unit for detecting and investigating environmental crime (centre and regions), extending the analytical capacities of the police force to the regional level, establishing a new unit for crime technology services (centre and regions). |
| 5 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force – training | Target | Training related to the police reform are rolled out |  | % of staff trained | 0 | 100 | Q4 | 2024 | All officers appointed in the newly established units of the police forces (environmental crime, criminal analyses, criminal technology services) are trained . At least 300 police officers are trained to improve the quality of communication to victims of crime for police officers. |
| 6 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2:Equipping and digitalising the police force – renewal of the vehicle fleet | Target | Purchase of new vehicles (10 % of the fleet) of electric and hybrid vehicles |  | Number | 0 | 700 | Q4 | 2022 | Of the overall objective to renew 705 vehicles of the police fleet by electric and hybrid vehicles (326 vehicles by Q2/2022 and 379 vehicles by Q4/2022), at least 700 police vehicles shall be replaced. |
| 7 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the Police Force – Reconstruction of buildings | Milestone | Extent of the renovated floor area of police buildings to reduce the energy intensity of buildings (in m²) |  | Number | 0 | 45 000 | Q2 | 2025 | Of the overall objective to renovate 49 965 square metres of building floor area, at least 45 000 square metres in police buildings shall be renovated to reduce their energy intensity. Technical, material and spatial provision of criminal analysis units, criminal technology services and environmental crime units according to the material inventory. |
| 8 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the Police Force – new Foreign Residents Registration Information System (IS ECU) | Milestone | Electronicising residence permit processes to simplify processes for the public | Entry into operation of the new modules |  |  |  | Q4 | 2024 | Entry into full operation of newmodules of the Foreign Residents Information System with the following key functionalities: submission of an application for residence and renewal, registration of residence, computerisation of the application for a document, notification modules and computerisation of communication in the course of the procedure. |
| 9 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force – Automated system for detecting road traffic offences | Milestone | Automation of the system for detecting road traffic infringements into full operation | Deployment of full operation of 3 modules |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | Automation of the recording of infringements of road traffic rules. Full operation of the system with modules: (1) recording and identifying road traffic infringements, (2) modifications to the existing system for automatic generation of decisions, and (3) statistics, reporting and analysis. |
| 10 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Reform 3:Optimising crisis management | Milestone | Entry into force of the optimised crisis management | Entry into force of the amended act 129/2002 on the integrated rescue system |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | The concept of optimising crisis management shall clearly define the relationships between the emergency response services of the integrated rescue system, establish common procedures for dealing with crisis situations, provide for joint coordination between the components, taking into account both the strategic and operational levels of crisis management, and propose a network of integrated security centres. The legislation shall enter into force by Q1 2023. |
| 11 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 3:Modernisation of the fire and rescue system – building a network of Integrated Security Centres | Milestone | Operationalisation of an Integrated Security Centre and a virtual Integrated Security Centre | Operationalisation of the Integrated Security Centre and launch of the Virtual Integrated Security Centre |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | One Integrated Security Centre shall be made operational, improving the operational management of the emergency services of the integrated rescue system. To this end, a building in which emergency services will be deployed shall be renovated. In order to improve the operational management of the emergency services of the integrates rescue system, a virtual integrated security centre shall be set in operation. |
| 12 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 3:Modernisation of the fire and rescue system – renewal of fire station buildings | Target | Modernisation of firefighting stations |  | Number | 0 | 2 | Q2 | 2026 | Completion of construction works for one new firefighting station and the reconstruction of one existing firefighting station. The renovation of the fire-fighting station shall achieve on average at least 30 % primary energy savings. |
| 13 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4:Strengthe-ning administrative capacity at different levels of government – establi-shment of a National Implementa-tion and Coordination Authority | Milestone | Minimising implementation risk by establishing a coordination, financial and implementing body (NIKA) for the Recovery and Resilience Facility | Establishment and capacity building for RRP authority |  |  |  | Q3 | 2022 | NIKA will be established by Q3 2021. It will be the coordinating, financial and implementing body for the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The subsequent steps entail: Strengthening the capacity of NIKA and government audit by Q4/2021. A new IT system for the purposes of NIKA is in place by Q3/2022. |
| 14 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4:Strengthe-ning administrative capacity at different levels of government – establish-ment of a National Implementa-tion and Coordination Authority | Milestone | Audit & controls: legal basis | Entry into force of the Recovery and Resilience Facility Act |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | Parliamentary approval and legal entry into force of the Recovery and Resilience Facility Act must be completed before the first payment request |
| 15 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4:Strengthe-ning administrative capacity at different levels of government – establish-ment of a National Implementa-tion and Coordination Authority | Milestone | RRP Repository System: information for monitoring implementation of RRP | Audit report confirming repository system functionalities |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | A repository system, which may take the form of an Excel sheet, for monitoring the implementation of the RRP shall be in place and operational.  The system shall include, as a minimum, the following functionalities:  (a) collection of data and monitoring of the achievement of milestones and targets;  (b) collect, store and ensure access to the data required by Article 22(2)(d)(i) to (iii) of the RRF Regulation. |
| 16 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4:Strengthe-ning administrative capacity at different levels of government – establish-ment of shared service centres | Target | Establishment of shared service centres. |  |  | 0 | 20 | Q4 | 2024 | Of the overall objective to establish 22 shared service centres in the most lagging regions by Q4/2024, at least 20 shared service centres shall be established. These shared service centres help pool capacity at the local level in providing essential public (social) services. |
| 17 | Reform 4: Audit and Control | Milestone | Adoption a) of a corruption risk management methodology and b) of procedures regarding the supervision by NIKA of that methodology’s implementation | Adoption and publication of the revised methodology for the management of corruption risks which is applicable to all bodies implementing the RRF and adoption of procedure of the Coordinating body on the supervision of implementation of that methodology |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | The Government office shall adopt the revised methodology for the management of corruption risks. The methodology shall be binding for all bodies implementing the RRF and provide minimum standards for the management of corruption risks.  The coordinating body shall additionally adopt a procedure on how the implementation of the methodology for the management of corruption risks will be monitored. |

COMPONENT 17: DIGITAL SLOVAKIA (STATE IN THE MOBILE, CYBERSECURITY, FAST INTERNET FOR EVERYONE, DIGITAL ECONOMY)

The objective of this component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan is to achieve substantial progress of Slovakia towards a digital-prepared society and economy. This objective shall be achieved through measures aiming at digitalisation of public administration and of public services delivery, improving cybersecurity through standardised approaches for preventing and resolving incidents across all entities of public administration, an overarching digital skills strategy, and support to the EU's multi-country projects and investments in research and application of top digital technologies. In addition, the component presents measures for digital connectivity, which the authorities intend to fund from Cohesion Policy funds.

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 digital skills (Country-Specific Recommendation 2, 2020) digital transformation (Country-Specific Recommendation 3, 2020), business environment and quality of public services (Country-Specific Recommendation 4, 2020), research and innovation (Country-Specific Recommendation 3, 2019) and competitiveness of SMEs (Country-Specific Recommendation 3, 2019).

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

Reform 1: Creating eGovernment solutions for priority life situations

This reform shall lead to the preparation and adoption by the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation (MIRRI) of an investment plan for priority “life situations” of citizens and businesses. The aim is to enable citizens and businesses to resolve administratively such life situations in one location quickly and easily.

The investment plan shall identify 16 priority life situations, describe the current and future status of the processes, and list investment actions that need to be carried out in the administrative entities and their information systems. Priority life situations shall be selected in accordance with the list of life situations monitored by eGov benchmark and taking into account the life situations included in Annex II of the Single Digital Gateway Regulation.

The reform shall lead to the introduction of a package of legislative amendments to deploy new digital public services on a unified design.

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

Reform 2: Central management of IT resources

Under this reform a central procurement platform shall be deployed for purchasing and using IT resources. These resources shall subsequently be made available for development of information systems in the public administration, with the overarching objective to reduce time and costs of such developments.

  

IT resources shall be procured centrally through a framework contract and public administration entities shall be entitled to draw upon them using a central platform, a Digital Marketplace. Cost reductions shall be achieved through more efficient purchase and allocation of IT capacities

The platform shall be introduced in two steps:

-First, a catalogue shall be created for IT resources on the basis of clear eligibility conditions under which resources may be recorded in the catalogue. The security of the systems, the requirements of the reference architecture and the quality of services and commodities shall be taken into account.

-Second, procurement of these resources shall be completed by MIRRI with the aim to make them available in the necessary quality and quantity to users.

The platform shall provide an evaluation functionality of the value of IT investments by monitoring costs, filings, transactions and returns.

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

Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses

In direct link to Reform 1 of this component, Creating eGovernment solutions for priority life situations, this investment shall consist in deploying integrated eGovernment solutions to 16 priority life situations. The solutions shall be developed using a common platform of IT tools necessary to build and deliver understandable and user-friendly digital services covering the integrity of the life situation procedure. 

The investments shall take the form of demand-driven projects that provide a comprehensive administrative solution to life situations with the greatest benefits. The solutions shall contain uniform search functionalities, a single point for service delivery, a mobile version, uniform design and clear navigation, smooth transitions through the life situation, an overview of the status of the request and status notifications, and online payments. The project shall also entail integration of the solutions into the central public administration portal, a redesign of underlying administrative processes, an upgrade of agenda systems and connection to the central middleware and central backend.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 2: Digital transformation of public service delivery

This investment shall shorten the duration of completion of public services by optimising and automating administrative processes. The investment shall transform 34 public administration sections by launching a fully functional digitalised version.

The investments shall take the form of demand-driven projects to transform the administrations’ processes with the highest potential for quality improvements or savings. Savings shall be achieved through reduction of operating costs, procedural errors, completion timelines or human resource requirements. Improving the quality of processes and reducing costs shall be achieved, as appropriate, by optimising relevant legislation or by changing the organisation of activities and processes.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

  

Reform 3: Managing the digital transformation of the economy and society

This reform shall introduce a new governance structure for reforms and investments in the digital economy by engaging competent bodies at different levels. At the political level, the Government Council for Digitalisation of Public Administration and Digital Single Market as the advisory, coordination and initiative body of the Government on issues related to digitalisation shall monitor the implementation and realisation of reforms and projects in the area of digital economy. At the working level, the Digital Agenda Section of the MIRRI shall work to ensure implementation of reforms and investments, as well as meeting the set milestones and targets. At the assessment level, the analytical unit of MIRRI shall ensure thematic consistency of the interventions with the priorities of strategic policies/documents (RIS3, SACI, 2030 Digital Transformation Strategy for Slovakia). At the consulting level, the Working Group on the Digital Transformation of Slovakia shall assist the Digital Agenda Section of MIRRI in implementing reforms and investments in the digital economy.

As part of this reform, the MIRRI shall adopt a new strategic document – Action Plan for the Digital Transformation of Slovakia for years 2023-2026.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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

This investment shall support Slovak participation in European multi-country projects. The RRF shall support part of the costs of this investment. The RRF shall support part of the costs of this investment. This investment may also receive support from other Union programmes or instruments for costs that are not supported by the RRF.

The preliminary list of initiatives has been established on the basis of expert public consultation, preconditions and project preparedness. Slovakia intends to seek financing for some of those projects from other sources, in particular from directly managed EU programmes (Digital Europe, Connecting Europe Facility, Horizon Europe).

The investment shall lead to the following projects:

-creation of a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) and Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) to support digitalisation of Slovak SMEs.

-commissioning of a supercomputer for the national supercomputing centre.

-participation in two other multi-country European projects, to be identified from a pre-defined list of multi-country projects put forward by the European Commission.

The last milestone of the investment shall be completed by 31 December 2025. Support to these projects shall continue beyond this deadline, within the horizon of RRP implementation.

Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies

The objective of this investment is to create a support scheme for research, development and application of advanced digital technologies by companies, including SMEs, research institutes and public administration entities. The RRF shall support part of the costs of this investment. This investment may also receive support from other Union programmes or instruments for costs that are not supported by the RRF.

  

Support shall be granted to successful Slovak projects under directly managed programmes, selected IPCEI projects or projects obtaining the Seal of Excellence, in accordance with applicable rules on EU funds financing. Moreover, support can also be granted to projects selected at the national level. In addition to research, development and application projects, support may be granted for technological institutions, competence centres, private enterprises and platforms in compliance with state aid rules.

The investment shall focus on:

-support to research, development and innovation projects with Technology Readiness Levels 5 to 8,

-support for the establishment of testing and experimentation infrastructure,

-support for participation in innovative projects at the European and international level,

-support to platforms and competence centres in their outreach and training activities aiming at digital skills and competences.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 5: Fast grants – hackathons

The aim is to create a tool for stimulating innovative solutions for addressing current societal challenges in a flexible and rapid manner. This shall be achieved by organising hackathons involving start-ups, other companies, research institutions, universities and their students, and other specialists.

The investment shall be used to organize 17 hackathons over five years. The costs include resources for winning teams who shall provide their solutions to the public administration or the wider public.

The organiser shall define the range of topics and problems to be addressed by the hackathons in collaboration with participating public administration bodies.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Reform 4: Standardisation of technical and procedural cybersecurity solutions (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration)

Current cybersecurity requirements in the public administration diverge in terms of their elaboration, quality and clarity. Individualised cybersecurity solutions lead to higher overall costs, as well as ambiguities for a number of service operators. Moreover, applicable methodological guidelines for cybersecurity are outdated and not fit for purpose in a rapidly changing cyber-threat environment. The objective of this reform is to update applicable cybersecurity requirements and increase standardization of solutions for all entities of the public administration.

Specifically, the reform shall lead to the development of a single methodological framework for cybersecurity; the creation of a procedural manual for assessment cybersecurity; creation of a central expert support for implementation of cybersecurity measures; the definition of categories of organisations for the purposes of cybersecurity; definition of basic requirements of cybersecurity protection in the public administration.

The National Concept for Informatisation of Public Administration (NKIVS) shall set the framework of standardisation for cyber security requirements.

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

  

Reform 5: Improving cybersecurity training and skills (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration)

The general level of cybersecurity skills in public administration is insufficient. The aim of this reform is to introduce systematic lifelong learning in cybersecurity of IT professionals in public administration.

The reform shall:

-establish a cybersecurity awareness programme and training for public administration staff, including complementary training of cybersecurity specialists (as lifelong learning);

-establish at least 3 competence centres in cybersecurity in universities, in order to play a role in education and in providing expertise to the public and private sector;

-support international cooperation with relevant international centres of excellence in cyber and hybrid threats;

-development of a methodology for setting-up of cybersecurity units in public administration entities.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Investment 6: Strengthening preventive measures, increasing the speed of incident detection and resolution (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration)

The objective of this measure is to develop an early response system in cybersecurity of the public administration. It follows up on projects under the Operational Program Integrated Infrastructure.

Specifically, the investment shall:

-integrate new technical and technological solutions of the early response system into the cybersecurity incident management infrastructure;

-develop a framework of regular deep security audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests in the overall cybersecurity architecture;

-increase the level of technological security equipment of critical infrastructure installations;

-develop a threat catalog and a methodology for cybersecurity management;

-develop a centralized approach for implementing security patches.

As part of prevention, the general level of quality of physical and procedural security of critical infrastructure of the public administration shall be strengthened. This shall be achieved by improving process security, reconstruction and completion of 54 secured spaces for critical infrastructure information systems.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Reform 6: A strategic approach to education in digital skills in cooperation with representatives of key stakeholders

This reform shall draw up a coherent national strategy for the development of digital skills through life-long-learning, covering people in productive and post-productive age. The strategy shall be prepared by the MIRRI in cooperation with competent Ministries and representatives of key stakeholders.

  

The strategy shall include an analysis of the state of play of digital skills in Slovakia, an identification of existing barriers to their development, a learning vision for the next period, as well as recommendations of measures for public authorities to improve the situation and meet the targets. The strategy shall also propose a long-term sustainable funding and support system for digital skills, while also aiming to create an attractive environment to prevent brain drain and attract foreign experts and researchers.

The reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

Investment 7: Improving the digital skills of seniors and the distribution of Senior Tablets

The percentage of people aged 65-74 with at least basic digital skills is only 11 %, compared to the EU average of 24%. Training in digital skills in Slovakia is highly dependent on work-based learning and/or employer-funded programmes. As a result, people in post-productive age and disadvantaged people have in general more limited access to digital skills development. This skills gap has been particularly problematic during the COVID-19 period. The objective of this investment is to address this issue through a targeted training program in digital skills and provision of digital equipment for at least 105 440 seniors and disadvantaged people.

The investment shall consist in:

-a pilot project for 1 000 persons to assess specific needs and assess the physiological adequacy of technological equipment (tablets or alternatives) for elderly and disadvantaged people;

-training sessions for seniors and disadvantaged people in the form of face-to-face and e-learning;

-development of specialised applications with accessibility features;

-provision of subsidized technological equipment (tablet or alternatives) together with vouchers for internet access provision.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 1: Creating eGovernment solutions for priority life situations | Milestone | Investment plan for priority life situations | Publication of the priority list approved by the MIRRI |  |  |  | Q4 | 2022 | Publication of the list of priority electronic services approved by the MIRRI SR, based on the eGOV benchmark and taking into account the Annex II of the Single Digital Gateway Regulation, |
| 2 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 1: Creating eGovernment solutions for priority life situations | Milestone | Roadmap of the priority life situations | Publication of the roadmap |  |  |  | Q4 | 2023 | Analysis of service design and identification of deficiencies (roadmap) for their improvement through all public institutions concerned |
| 3 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 2: Central management of IT resources | Milestone | Central platform for the use of IT resources (digital market place) | Launch of the platform |  |  |  | Q4 | 2023 | Entry into service of a platform of tools and policies for a new way to buy and use IT commodities, expertise, use of cloud services and open source code. The services shall be procured centrally (framework contract) and the users of the services shall have the possibility to dynamically draw on the central platform as needed. |
| 4 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses | Target | Number of eGovernment solutions built and deployed |  | Number | 0 | 2 | Q1 | 2025 | Deployment of digital solutions for two selected life situations, with the following features: a uniform access to the search for services; a single point for service delivery; where relevant a mobile version; uniform design; clear navigation; smooth transitions through the life situation; an overview of the status of the request; status notifications; and online payments. The project shall entail integration of the solutions into the central public administration portal, a redesign of business processes into comprehensive, an upgrade of the agenda systems and connection to the central middleware and central backend systems. Implementation of two life situations. |
| 5 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses | Target | Number of eGovernment solutions built and deployed |  | Number | 2 | 16 | Q2 | 2026 | Full implementation of digital solutions for 16 selected life situations, with the following features: a uniform access to the search for services; a single point for service delivery; where relevant a mobile version; uniform design; clear navigation; smooth transitions through the life situation; an overview of the status of the request; status notifications; and online payments. The project shall entail integration of the solutions into the central public administration portal, a redesign of business processes into comprehensive, an upgrade of agenda systems and connection to the central middleware and central backend systems.  The platform for the development and provision of priority life situations shall be modernised and optimised. |
| 6 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses | Milestone | Platform for the development and provision of priority life situations | Platform is made available |  |  |  | Q4 | 2024 | Modernisation of the frontend, backend and middleware platform (common modules) on the principles of low code configurable components centrally managed for providers of eGovernment solutions for life situations. The platform is a pre-requisite for the deployment of eGovernment solutions for life situations. |
| 7 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 2: Digital transformation of public service delivery | Target | Digital transformation of public administration sections |  | Number | 0 | 4 | Q4 | 2024 | Four processes and sections in public administration shall be optimised and automated. Investments shall aim at improving quality of public services or improving efficiency (through reduction of operating costs, procedural errors, completion timelines or human resource requirements). This shall be achieved, as appropriate, by amending legislation or by changing the organisation of processes. Public administration sections are registered in the Central Metainformation System of Public Administration according to the Act No.575/2001 Coll. on the organisation of government activities and the organisation of central state administration. |
| 8 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 2: Digital transformation of public service delivery | Target | Digital transformation of public administration sections |  | Number | 4 | 34 | Q2 | 2026 | 34 processes and sections in public administration shall be optimised and automated. Investments shall aim at improving quality of public services or improving efficiency (through reduction of operating costs, procedural errors, completion timelines or human resource requirements). This shall be achieved, as appropriate, by amending legislation or by changing the organisation of processes. Public administration sections are registered in the Central Metainformation System of Public Administration according to the Act No.575/2001 Coll. on the organisation of government activities and the organisation of central state administration. |
| 9 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 3: Managing the digital transformation of the economy and society | Milestone | Action Plan for the Digital Transformation of Slovakia for years 2023-2026 | Development and adoption by the MIRRI |  |  |  | Q4 | 2022 | Adoption by the MIRRI of a new strategic document – Action Plan for the Digital Transformation of Slovakia for years 2023-2026. The Action Plan shall put forward actions to improve Slovakia's digital performance, building on 2030 Digital Transformation Strategy for Slovakia and building on the current 2019-2022 roadmap. |
| 10 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 3: Engaging in multi-country European projects related to the digital economy | Target | Number of Digital Innovation Hubs/ European Digital Innovation Hubs |  | Number | 0 | 5 | Q3 | 2022 | This target shall be achieved through:  1. Building a network of four of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Slovakia that shall provide services to businesses to support the deployment of new technologies and innovation. They shall participate in the pan-European network of EDIHs. The candidates for establishing the four EDIHs were nominated in September 2020.    2.In addition to the 4 EDIHs, at least one additional centre shall be set up following one of the two options:  (a) EDIH without financial support from the Digital Europe programme, which shall be awarded the Seal of Excellence in the EC competition; or  (b) a local DIH that shall be selected under the national scheme and is expected to complement the network of existing EDIHs. |
| 11 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 3: Engaging in multi-country European projects related to the digital economy | Milestone | Development and construction of the supercomputer for the national supercomputing centre | Commissioning of the supercomputer and submission of a handover note |  |  |  | Q4 | 2025 | The commissioning and entry into service of the computing infrastructure on the basis of functional tests and a handover protocol.   The investment shall finance the construction of a the supercomputer, with an ambition to rate in the top 10 of the global Green500 list of the high energy efficient supercomputers. Details of the architecture shall be specified in the feasibility study. |
| 12 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 3: Engaging in multi-country European projects related to the digital economy | Target | Participation in multi-country digital projects from the pre-defined set |  | Number | 0 | 2 | Q4 | 2024 | Support granted to participation in two multi-country digital projects from the following set proposed by the European Commission: Security Operation Centres, MediaInvest, European Blockchain Services Infrastructure, EuroQCI, 5G Corridors, Common European Data Infrastructure, Processors and Semiconductor chips, Connected Public Administration, Genome of Europe, Digital Skills.  At least EUR 85 090 000 shall be paid to Investment 3 “Engaging in multi-country European projects related to the digital  economy“ in order to support part of the costs of this investment for the target “Participation in multi-country digital projects from the predefined set”. Any amounts provided by other Union programmes or instruments shall not be counted towards this amount. |
| 13 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies | Milestone | Design of support scheme for development and application of top digital technologies | Launch of a support scheme |  |  |  | Q2 | 2022 | A support scheme for research and development of digital solutions shall be set up and published by the implementation unit of the MIRRI for small and medium sized enterprises, large companies, private R&D institutions, public R&D institutions including academia and Slovak Academy of Sciences, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, media, public institutions including municipalities and other eligible applicants.    The scheme shall also serve as a co-funding mechanism for projects that succeed in directly managed EU programmes (Digital Europe, Horizon Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility). Priority shall be given to successful projects based on an IPCEI assessment by the European Commission. Projects shall also be assessed on the basis of the priority areas defined in dimension 4 (Digital Transformation of Slovakia) in the Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3). |
| 14 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies | Target | Number of projects for development and application of top digital technologies |  | Number | 0 | 19 | Q4 | 2024 | Support disbursed to 19 projects in development and application of digital solutions under the support scheme.  At least EUR 70 246 047 shall be paid to Investment 4 “Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies” in order to support part of the costs of this investment for the target “Number of projects for development and application of top digital technologies”. Any amounts provided by other Union programmes or instruments shall not be counted towards this amount. |
| 15 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies | Target | Number of projects for development and application of top digital technologies |  | Number | 19 | 53 | Q2 | 2026 | Support disbursed to 53 projects in development and application of digital solutions under the support scheme.  At least EUR 70 246 047 shall be paid to Investment 4 “Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies” in order to support part of the costs of this investment tor the target “Number of projects for development and application of top digital technologies”. Any amounts provided by other Union programmes or instruments shall not be counted towards this amount. |
| 16 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 5: Fast grants – hackathons | Target | Number of organised fast grant events - hackathons |  | Number | 0 | 17 | Q2 | 2026 | Organisation of 17 Hackathons - events where fast grants shall be awarded for innovative solutions to most innovative solutions for current societal challenges. The event shall involve start-ups, other companies, research institutions, universities and their students, and other specialists.  Winning teams shall provide their solutions to the public administration or the wider public. |
| 17 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 5: Improving cybersecurity training and skills (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration) | Target | Number of IT staff in public administration trained in cybersecurity |  | Number | 29 | 600 | Q2 | 2026 | An additional 571 IT experts in the public administration environment retrained for cybersecurity at ‘professional’, ‘Manager’ and ‘IT Manager’ levels. |
| 18 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 6: Strengthening preventive measures, increasing the speed of incident detection and resolution (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration) | Target | Number of secured IT systems in the public administration environment |  | Number | 70 | 1 000 | Q4 | 2024 | Securing of 1 000 IT systems, which shall be defined as: the Early Warning System (EWS) tools are integrated into the Cybersecurity Incident Management System, deploying the necessary hardware/software elements, bidirectional encrypted communication, and warning dispatch. |
| 19 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 6: Strengthening preventive measures, increasing the speed of incident detection and resolution (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration) | Milestone | Security audits of applications in public administration environment | Deployment of new or update of existing applications into service |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | Deployment of new or revised audit tools of cybersecurity vulnerability of public IT applications. The assessment shall be performed by penetrating tests and using vulnerability assessment software, while security audit verification shall always take place before deployment. for the verification of critical vulnerabilities.  Priority shall be given to information systems that are part of critical infrastructure. |
| 20 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 6: A strategic approach to education in digital skills in cooperation with representatives of key stakeholders | Milestone | National Digital Skills Strategy | Approval of the Digital Skills Strategy by the Slovak Government and publication |  |  |  | Q4 | 2022 | The strategy shall focus on persons in productive and post-productive age and shall include an analysis of the state of play, a definition of existing barriers and a vision of education for the next period and of life-long learning in line with the OECD 2020 recommendations, as well as a proposal for measures and recommendations for public administrations to improve the status quo and meet the targets set. The measures shall be financed from other sources than the RRF. |
| 21 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 7: Improving the digital skills of seniors and the distribution of Senior Tablets | Target | Number of seniors and disadvantaged persons trained in basic digital skills |  | Number | 0 | 1 000 | Q2 | 2022 | Implementation of a pilot project to validate the proposed activities and solutions to increase digital skills among a sample of 1 000 seniors and disadvantaged persons. This shall be achieved by completion of a training program followed by distribution of subsidised equipment.    The results of the pilot project shall be assessed and lead to a decision on the form of the continuation of the project. |
| 22 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 7: Improving the digital skills of seniors and the distribution of Senior Tablets | Target | Number of seniors and disadvantaged persons trained in basic digital skills |  | Number | 1 000 | 105 440 | Q2 | 2026 | Following the pilot project and its recommendations, improve the digital skills of 105 440 elderly people and disadvantaged people. This shall be achieved by completion of a training program and distribution of subsidised equipment for each person. |
| 23 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Reform 4: Standardisation of technical and procedural cybersecurity solutions (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration) | Milestone | National Concept for Informatisation of Public Administration (NKIVS) 2021-2030 | Adoption and approval of the National Concept for Informatisation of Public Administration by the MIRRI and publication |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | The National Concept for Informatisation of Public Administration (NKIVS) shall set the framework for digital reforms in a synchronised manner with the RRP. The individual actions and projects of the RRP shall implement the relevant strategic tasks of the NKIVS. The NKIVS shall set the framework of standardisation for cyber security requirements. Further actions would be necessary for setting the cyber security technical and procedural standards. |

  

COMPONENT 18: Sound, sustainable and competitive public finances

Slovakia faces high fiscal sustainability risks due to a combination of an ageing population, a fiscally unsustainable pension system, and a fiscal policy framework that does not sufficiently incentivise fiscal sustainability. Moreover, the revenue potential of environmental and property taxation is underused relative to other EU countries.

This component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan shall improve the sustainability, soundness and competitiveness of public finances by means of three reform elements, namely a pension reform, multi-annual expenditure ceilings, and a reform of public investment management.

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 thereby contributes to addressing Country Specific Recommendation 2019.1 to safeguard the long-term sustainability of public finances, in particular of the pension system, and to addressing Country Specific Recommendation 2020.1 to pursue fiscal policies aimed at achieving prudent medium-term fiscal positions and ensuring debt sustainability when economic conditions allow. It also helps addressing Country Specific Recommendation 2020.3 and Country Specific Recommendation 2019.3 to front-load mature public investment projects as well as to focus investment in specific areas.

Reform 1: Improving the sustainability of the pension system

Slovakia’s public finances face high sustainability risks both in the medium and long term. This is in part due to rapid population ageing. The old-age dependency ratio (comparing the share of elderly people with the share of the population in work or training) is projected to almost triple by 2060. Retirement age caps exacerbate the implications for long-term fiscal sustainability. In addition, savings in the second pillar of the pension system are inefficient and yield low returns, while awareness in the population is low.

The pension reform shall improve the long-term fiscal sustainability of the pension system. To this end, it shall link the retirement age to life expectancy, and abolish retirement age caps. It shall moreover ensure entitlement to an actuarially neutral benefit after a minimum number of years worked and introduce a new default, life-cycle based savings strategy in the second pension pillar investing less in low-yield bonds, with an opt-out option, to increase the efficiency of savings in the second pillar. It shall also increase transparency by regularly informing people about their expected pensions.

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

  

Reform 2: Introducing multi-annual expenditure ceilings

Slovakia’s medium-term budgetary framework has not been conducive to sufficient fiscal discipline. Slovakia has not managed to pursue a counter-cyclical fiscal policy in good economic times. This weighs on medium- and long-term fiscal sustainability.

This reform therefore shall enhance fiscal discipline in order to improve medium- and long-term fiscal sustainability. To this end, binding multi-annual expenditure ceilings shall be introduced as a key tool to better pursue counter-cyclical fiscal policy, improve budgetary planning and achieve long-term fiscal sustainability. These expenditure ceilings shall be linked to planned structural balances linked to long-term sustainability objectives. It shall be implemented in the Stability Programme 2022-2025 in April 2022 to capture the full budgetary cycle for 2023.

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

Reform 3: Streamlining public investment

The economic value of most of the public investment projects assessed by the Ministry of Finance only slightly exceeded their costs, with a benefit-cost ratio of the projects (BCR) between 1.0 and 1.5. In addition, absorption rates of the budget for public investments are low, pointing to difficulties in budgetary planning and execution. At the same time, investment prioritization lacks objective, streamlined criteria.

The reform shall better prepare public investment projects by consistently applying value for money principles. It shall strategically prioritise investment projects from the outset and to budget only mature projects. To achieve these aims, the reform shall put into practice a new and harmonised methodology for preparing and prioritising public investment projects. This methodology shall allow to develop sector-specific project pipelines and to improve the average cost-benefit ratio of newly selected investment projects, while also increasing the accuracy of investment budgeting. The investment process shall be standardised for all projects, which shall be evaluated centrally and from an early stage.

The implementation of the reform is shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

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 | 18 – Sound, sustainable and competitive public finances – Reform 1: Improving the sustainability of the pension system | Milestone | Pension system reform | Entry into force of the package of amendments (No 461/2003 Coll. on social insurance and No 43/2004 Coll. on old-age pension savings) |  |  |  | Q1 | 2023 | Entry into force of the package by the parliament (Social Insurance Act and Old-Age Pension Savings Act) by the end of Q4 2022 with effect from Q1 2023, which is expected to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the pension system, namely:1) linking increases in retirement age to increasing life expectancy, 2) introducing an entitlement to actuarially neutral benefits from the first pay-as-you-go pension pillar for persons after a statutory minimum number of years of service, 3) introducing a default savings strategy based on the lifecycle principle for new and progressively existing savers in Pillar II (with the possibility of rejecting this default strategy) |
| 2 | 18– Sound, sustainable and competitive public finances – Reform 2: Introducing expenditure ceilings | Milestone | Anchoring expenditure ceilings in Law 523/2004 on the budgetary rules | Entry into force of the amendment to the act 523/2004 on the budgetary rules |  |  |  | Q4 | 2021 | Entry into force of the multi-annual ceilings on public expenditure and its implementation in the Stability Programme 2022-2025 in April 2022 to capture the full budgetary cycle for 2023. |
| 3 | 18 – Healthy, sustainable and competitive public finances – Reform 3: Reform of public investment management | Milestone | application of the methodology for the procedures for preparing and prioritising investments | Evaluation of the public investment projects carried out in line with adopted methodolology |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | The preparation and evaluation of all relevant public investment projects is carried out in line with the published methodology harmonising preparation and prioritisation. The assessment is carried out by the Ministry of Finance and applied to all new investment projects at national level above EUR 1 million, as demonstrated by documentation of selected projects. The methodology aims at establishing an investment project pipeline at sector level and at increasing the cost-benefit ratio for new investment projects. |

  
  

COMPONENT 19: REPowerEU

The objective of the REPowerEU component of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan is to reduce the overall dependence on fossil fuels imports from Russia and increase energy security. In particular, the investments into energy infrastructure, together with measures on permitting processes, energy efficiency of buildings, zero-emission transport and the promotion of green skills, are expected to contribute to reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and integrating renewables into the Slovak energy mix faster and more widely.

Of the 14 measures in the Slovak REPowerEU chapter, eight have a cross-border dimension. The largest investment with a cross-border or multi-country dimension concerns the modernisation and digitalisation of electricity transmission and distribution networks (Investment 1), with the aim of upgrading 250 km of transmission lines to help maintain the transmission of electricity generated by renewables across Europe. Measures on increasing energy efficiency in renovations of buildings, including the restoration of historical buildings or the refurbishment of single family households, also have a relevant cross-border dimension as they are expected to contribute to reducing the demand of imported fossil fuels. Measures on increasing energy efficiency in renovations of buildings (Investment 3), including the restoration of historical buildings or the refurbishment of single-family houses, also have a relevant cross-border dimension as they are expected to contribute to reducing the demand of imported fossil fuels.

  

The REPowerEU chapter contributes to addressing recommendations to increase public investment in the green and digital transition and energy security as well the recommendation on the reduction of the overall reliance on fossil fuels and diversification of energy imports.  Specifically, through Thematic Areas 1 and 2, the implementation of the REPowerEU chapter is expected to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources through simplified grid access, streamlining and simplifying permitting and administrative procedures, modernising the electricity system, as well as adapting, accelerating and supporting building renovations. 

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). 

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

Thematic area 1: Renewable Energy and permitting processes

This thematic area comprises of two reforms, the first on promoting sustainable energy and second on supporting the green transition in renewables. The objective of these reforms is to simplify permitting and administrative procedures for further development of renewable energy sources, including the digitalisation of processes and creating pilot “go-to areas” suitable for wind energy development. The reform also includes the necessary upgrading of skills and strengthening of administrative capacity, both necessary to address bottlenecks linked to the rollout of renewable energy sources.

The objective of the investments is to further develop and modernise the electricity transmission system and regional distribution networks, thereby enabling to increase the technical capacity for an accelerated integration of small- and large-scale renewables into the grid. The investment into the Energy Data Center is expected to enable the integration of new market participants into the Slovak energy market, in particular in the area of renewable energy investments.

Component 19 - Reform 1: Promoting sustainable energy

The reform includes six sub-measures aimed at creating an environment conducive to rapid and efficient implementation of fossil fuel substitution projects on renewable energy, green transition and decarbonisation of Slovakia. This objective calls for streamlining and speeding up of the authorisation processes, especially with regards to the issuance of environmental permits. The reform also includes strengthening of the professional staffing capacity necessary for the timely issuance of environmental impact assessments. The reform is expected to reflect the requirements and regulatory needs of modern technologies for the green transition including the renewable power generation in industry and households, as well as supporting the rollout of other green technologies, including hydrogen, geothermal and sustainable bio-methane.

C19.R1. Sub-measure 1: Legislative and procedural changes speeding up the issuing of environmental permits 

The objective of the measure is to simplify and accelerate environmental assessment procedures of proposed or modified renewable energy projects under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act No. 24/2006 Coll. on Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA Act”) in connection to the Act No 25/2025 Coll. on construction, which was approved in February 2025 and enters into force on 1 April 2025. The reform of the EIA act shall respect requirements under EU law as well as other international legal obligations (Aarhus Convention) that apply to public participation and access to justice.

The reform shall result in streamlined procedures for proposed projects or their modifications in the field of renewable energy failing under the EIA Act or IPPC Act. A single procedure shall be established, which shall include an environmental impact assessment and other assessment procedures, including a construction permit. The granting of a construction permit shall remain conditional on the completion of procedures leading to a development consent in the sense of the EIA Directive, with a clearly stipulated right of the public concerned to appeal against decisions issued under the EIA Act and procedures leading to the granting of the development consent . Parties concerned by the assessed project are expected to have the opportunity to comment on the outcome of the procedures under the EIA Act and leading to the granting of the development consent. This reform is expected to reduce the scope for abusive repetitive appeal procedures at different procedural stages while preserving the right of the public concerned to participate in the permitting processes. The amended IPPC law shall integrate the IPPC assessment with the EIA assessment process for proposed or modified renewable energy projects, resulting in a single integrated permit for installations which fall under the IPPC assessment.

The threshold values in Table 2, Annex 8 of the EIA Act shall be amended to accelerate the procedures under the EIA act for geothermal and wind energy. Time limits for the screening and mandatory EIA assessments for these technologies shall be introduced by the amended EIA Act. For projects which are not subject to an integrated procedure, the objective of the reform is to simplify the permitting process by updating and interconnecting existing registries and information systems, and by strengthening the administrative capacities of permitting authorities together with organisational changes leading to the establishment of a "partially specialised state administration".

The implementation of the outcome of the legislative amendments (new Construction Act in force since 1 April 2025; the amended IPPC Act; the new EIA Act) is expected to be ensured by the following steps:

1.The State Environmental Inspectorate (SEI) shall become the authority in charge of the above-mentioned procedures. The administrative capacity necessary to conduct the procedures under EIA Act shall be strengthened by at least 100 staff, and complemented by a change in SEI´s organizational structure to separate the control activities from authorisation activities and subsequent elaboration of methodological documents guiding the Inspectorate´s and its regional office´s activities.

2.In case of the integrated procedures, the competence to assess the impacts of the proposed or modified activity and issue an integrated permit (which includes EIA and construction permit) shall pass to the EIA authority, but only in the case of renewables. To this end, a new competence for the individual authorities within the SEI structure shall be introduced, with the regional inspectorates serving as the first-instance authority and the SEI headquarters designated as the second-instance authority for EIA in relation to renewable energy sources.

3.In the first phase (until Q4 2024), a “permitting roadmap” composed of legislative, organisational and administrative changes shall be introduced.

4.In the second phase (Q4 2025), a new structure for the functioning of the specialised state administration shall be adopted until Q4 2025, and the long-term sustainability of its financing is expected to be ensured.

C19.R1. Sub-measure 2: Improving the use of geothermal energy

The objective of this sub-measure is to finalise the “passporting” of at least 60 geothermal wells, aimed at determining their geothermal potential. The sub-measure shall help accelerating investments into geothermal energy utilization in view of the favourable geological conditions in some parts of Slovakia, including into geothermal heating technologies.

The information on geothermal wells and facilities shall be made available through processing of archives and field works, and the outcome shall be published online at the online platform of the State Geological Institute Dionyza Stura. Owners of private wells may choose to voluntarily submit the information at the platform.

This is expected to create a central access point to all relevant data for at least 60 geothermal wells across Slovakia to the public in the future. This information is expected to be also relevant for geothermal explorations in the neighboring areas for all potential investors. No drilling is carried out under the measure.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by Q2/2026.

C19.R1. Sub-measure 3: Heat-pump support

The objective of this sub-measure is to support the rollout of investments into water-to-water heat pumps. It shall contribute to speeding up the green transition and reducing the dependency of Slovakia on imports of fossil fuels, in particular given the high reliance of heating systems in Slovakia on natural gas.

The sub-measure shall introduce an exemption from the obligation to pay a charge for the use of groundwater for energy use for water-to-water heat pumps by the amendment of the Water Act No 364/2004, as valid in the past until 2014. The amendment of the Water Act shall be in line with the proposed EIA reform under sub-measure 1 (reform 1).

The amendment of the Water Act (No 364/2004) regarding the fees charged on the water-to-water heat pumps shall be compliant with the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). In particular, this requires that the overall water-pricing policy remains to ensure an adequate contribution of different water uses to recovery of the costs of water services (Article 9) and that the authorisation decisions shall also provide sufficient environmental protection (Article 11(3i)).

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by Q3/2024.

C19.R1. Sub-measure 4: Establishment of BAT centre and provision of BAT reference documents 

The sub-measure shall set-up Best Available Technology (BAT) as a knowledge and the main national competence centre that coordinates the collection, processing, and exchange of information on innovative and new technologies in the field of decarbonisation, energy efficiency on the one hand, and environmental protection on the other. Better management of BAT agenda and access to all relevant information, including BAT documents (BREF), for all relevant administrative authorities as well as market participants shall further support implementation of BAT available and thereby also support energy diversification, industry decarbonisation, including the roll-out of renewables and circular economy principles and projects, i.e. the green transition, including roll-out of renewables

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by Q3 2025.

  

C19.R1. Submeasure 5: Preparation of an assessment of the trajectories of sustainable use and supply of biomass in Slovakia for period 2025-2035

The measure aims at promoting the development of sustainable biomass use for energy purposes and assessing the available sustainable biomass volumes and resources in this regard.

An evaluation shall assess the trajectories of sustainable use of biomass in Slovakia and its impacts on the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sinks and biodiversity for the period up to 2035. The impact on air quality shall be assessed to the extent of available data and if relevant, the assessment shall identify gaps on data availability. The assessment shall study the state of protected areas and forest ecosystems, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the cultivation, processing and transportation of the biomass and shall include the impact of imports of biomass from other countries.

The outcome of the trajectories assessment is expected to not increase pressure on the protected areas and forest ecosystems, or logging in national parks and protected areas in Slovakia. The assessment shall provide recommendations to guide future biomass investment financed by the Slovak government or EU funds (such as RRF, Modernisation and Cohesion Funds).

The integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999]. shall include reference and integrate outcomes of the evaluation when available in its update and reporting as well as in the updated National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) under the NEC Directive (EU) 2016/2284.

The analysis of available biomass data for electricity and heat shall be updated on an annual basis.

The assessment shall be published by Q2 2025.

C19.R1. Sub-measure 6: Developing and promoting the production of sustainable bio-methane, organic fertilisers and the circular bio-economy 

The sub-measure shall deliver a comprehensive map of production potential for biogas and bio-methane, technology catalogues, as well as a circular bio-economy roadmap identifying the appropriate areas for the development of a circular bio-economy. The roadmap shall identify bio-gas stations suitable for transformation to bio-methane production, whose transformation will fall under the scope of the simplified permitting procedure under the EIA act. The comprehensive map assessment shall be done by taking into account binding regulations, namely the Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II).

Based on outcomes of the comprehensive map and two technology catalogues, Slovakia´s potential for biogas and biomethane production and the effective integration of the latter into the grid shall be defined. The roadmap and catalogues shall define geo-referenced biomethane production potential and grid connection points and hence promote the most suitable places for construction of plants and transformation of biogas plants to biomethane. The map shall be available for private as well as public financing. Subsequently, a plan providing an investment trajectory to reach the identified national potential by 2030 and 2050 shall be introduced, in connection with the integrated National Energy and Climate Plans under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and the binding timeframe for its update.

A set of legislative and/or, as appropriate, non-legislative measures needed to remove identified barriers for the permitting and production or injection of the biomethane into the grid and use of biomethane plant residues as fertilizers shall enter into force.

These measures shall improve resource efficiency in the agricultural sector, using data on complex energy and nutrient recovery of bio-waste to increase production and production capacity of renewable energy from biomethane, in particular from biomass waste. It is expected to lead to improved monitoring of soil samples throughout Slovakia to identify suitable areas for the application of digestate and to monitor the impacts of the application of digestate and organic fertilisers on the soil carbon content, i.e. on carbon sinks in the soil. It is expected to create an enabling system for sustainability and measurable carbon storage in soil.

The reform shall be implemented by Q4 2025.

Component 19. Reform 2: Supporting the green transition in renewables   

This reform is composed of three sub-measure and one investment with four sub-parts. The objective of this reform is to accelerate the deployment of new renewable energy sources by creating a more conducive environment for investments into renewables and the improved utilization of available grid capacity. The measures in reform 2 also build upon the reforms and investments included in component 1 of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan, in particular in the area of energy market reform and support to renewable energy sources.

C19.R2. Sub-measure 1: Development of methodologies and establishment of pilot ‘go-to areas’ suitable for wind energy development 

The objective of the sub-measure is to support further integration of renewable energy sources in the energy mix in Slovakia, specifically increasing the potential for investment into wind-power.

The sub-measure aims at the development of pilot ‘go-to areas’ with a total combined installed capacity of at least 300 MW (in so-called “Wind Power Development Pilot Zones”). The potential investments shall be facilitated through streamlining of the relevant environmental permit procedures (under the EIA Act) and advancing of the technical preparations at both at level of transmission and distribution systems.  

The draft methodology for the establishment of ‘go-to areas’ for wind power, in particular by setting up the procedure structure, and relevant standards for the establishment, placement and operation of ‘go-to areas’ shall become applicable in Q4 2024. The framework legislation for wind energy development and establishment of ‘go-to areas’ shall enter into force also by Q4 2024. The implementation of the pilot ‘go-to areas’ for wind-power and the adoption of the final methodology shall be completed by Q4 2025.

C19.R2. Sub-measure 2: Action Plan of the National Hydrogen Strategy of the Slovak Republic and enabling conditions for the development of hydrogen economy in Slovakia

The sub-measure shall define targets for the use of hydrogen as well as priorities for the development of a primarily renewable national hydrogen ecosystem, based on hydrogen production balance scenarios, hydrogen consumption and hydrogen import and export balances within the European hydrogen transmission network.

  

The sub-measure shall include entry into force of legislative changes, necessary for the deployment of hydrogen technologies in Slovakia and assisting to adapt the hydrogen sector to meet the requirements of EU legislation, in particular the Renewable Energy Directive.  The reform shall be accompanied by legislative and technical norms and standards for the production of renewable hydrogen, storage of hydrogen, transportation of hydrogen, and the use of hydrogen in the industrial, energy and mobility sector.

The implementation of the sub-measure shall be completed by Q2/2025.

C19.R2. Sub-measure 3: Integration of renewables into the electricity grid 

The objective of the sub-measure is to improve the use of available electricity grid capacity and contribute to a faster rollout of renewable energy investments in Slovakia. The reforms included in the Slovak recovery and resilience plan from year 2021 have led to a significant increase in the available capacity for connecting renewables at the transmission level (the termination of so-called ‘stop state’ in April 2021). However, only a small share of the available capacity has been used to connect the new renewable installations operators in past years.  

The sub-measure shall make the reservation of capacity for connection of renewable electricity sources to electricity grid less burdensome and more efficient, through the necessary legislative and non-legislative actions. The new rules and procedures shall be binding to all three regional Distribution System Operators in the territory of the Slovak Republic. All renewable energy sources shall be included under the sub-measure, with exception of small renewable energy sources which do not require capacity reservation in the grid. In particular, the new rules shall include:

1.lowering barriers for connection to the grid, through the adaptation of rules for the re-release of unused capacities and at least one of the following: a) specification of the time limits for reservation of grid capacities; b) financial incentives discouraging the non-utilization of allocated capacities in due time.

2.increasing transparency of connection process (including the connection decisions) through regularly updated online information on available grid connection capacities, both at the level of transmission and distribution system operators. The transparency requirements should be unified across all distribution companies.

3.the harmonisation of rules for connection of renewable installations to the electricity distribution systems across all regional distribution system operators, particularly through uniform process of issuing permits for grid connection.

4.introduction of binding time limits for the grid connection procedures for small and local renewables.

5.adoption of additional, regulatory incentive mechanisms for DSOs by the Regulator of Network Industries to invest in distribution grid development, with a view to supporting the grid integration of renewables.

The reform shall be implemented by Q1/2025.  

C19. Investment 1: Modernisation and digitalisation of transmission system and regional distribution systems 

The objective of investment 1of the REPowerEU chapter, consisting of four parts, is to contribute to the modernisation and digitalisation of the electricity networks in Slovakia. In particular, it shall help to accommodating the expected increase in intermittent renewables.

  

The investment responds to the need to create new capacities for connecting the new renewable energy sources – for electricity production, storage facilities, aggregators as well as for energy communities. The increase of the transmission capacity shall also allow for an increase electricity trade with neighbouring Member States to make better use of electricity from renewable sources.

Investment 1 – part 1: focuses on strengthening and increasing the transformation capacity between the transmission and distribution systems. The investment into the modernisation of substations shall result in (i) replacement of transformers including the increase in transformation capacity by at least 150 MVA, (ii) transition of the network substation from 220 kV voltage level to 400 kV at the transmission level, (iii) commissioning of remotely controlled substation from the national dispatch center of the Slovak transmission system operator (SEPS) and (iv) installations of the compensation devices, increasing the ability to regulate voltage in the transmission system.

The implementation of investment 1 (part 1) shall be completed by Q2/2026.  

Investment 1 - part 2: includes the modernization of transmission lines ensuring the security of supply, in view of increasing demands for transmission capacity due to the integration of renewables into the grid. The investment shall aim to upgrade the components of existing lines in order to increase the ampacity, transmission capability and maintaining reliable operation. It shall contribute to improving the overall power grid performance through alleviating transmission line congestion. The investment has also a strong cross-border dimension, helping to maintain the transmission of electricity vis-à-vis neighbouring Member States, also supporting renewable electricity flows between the north and south of the European Union.

The objective is that 250km, but at least 225 km, of transmission lines shall be modernised. The refurbishment is envisaged within the network of the Slovak transmission system operator (SEPS), consisting of upgrades of components (insulators, isolations, conductors) of extra high-voltage electrical transmission lines.

The implementation of investment 1 (part 2) shall be completed by Q4/2025.

Investment 1 - part 3: contributes to the modernisation of the electricity networks at distribution level in Slovakia. This investment shall particularly help to accommodate the expected increase in demand for integrating the intermittent renewables into the grid, in specific locations of distribution systems.

Of the overall objective of 1 085,78 MW, at least 977,20 MW of cumulative additional capacity for connection of renewable energy sources to the distribution networks in Slovakia shall be achieved. The investments – such as the construction of new or extensions of existing lines, the installation of compensation devices and increasing dimensioning or installation of new transformers – shall contribute to removing bottlenecks in the grids in view of maximizing the additional technical capacity for integration of new renewables.

The implementation of investment 1 (part 3) shall be completed by Q2/2026.

Investment 1 - part 4: supports implementation of information system of the Energy Data Centre (EDC).

  

This investment reacts to changes in the Slovak legal framework, in particular to amendment of the Act on Energy (251/2012 Coll.) effective as of 1st of October 2022 as part of the recovery and resilience plan. The EDC is expected to facilitate the new activities and access of the new market participants into the electricity market while helping them to safeguard their rights in the new market environment.

The aim of the investment is to implement the EDC’s information system to ensure its efficient operation in order to allow for a better integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. The EDC shall improve the preconditions for the connection of renewable energy sources by streamlining required data. In particular, the investment shall address the issues such as aggregating flexibility; energy communities and sharing energy from RES; accumulation, management of core data; data from smart metering systems; sharing electricity generation data (supporting invoicing, clearing and imbalance settlement) and reporting.

The implementation of investment 1 (part 4) shall be completed by Q3/2024.  

 

Thematic Area 2: Building renovation and management 

Reform 3: Creation of a database and data exchange system on the energy performance of buildings 

The objective of this reform is to establish a unified digital data platform for collecting, processing, storing and sharing structured information on the energy performance of public and private buildings in Slovakia. The purpose of the data platform is to provide access to building data to relevant stakeholders and to help accelerate and prioritise investments in buildings renovation, in particular those with the lowest energy performance.

The platform shall be the central access point to all relevant data at the level of individual buildings in line with the digital building logbook concept compliant with the forthcoming recast of the Energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) and shall ensure the integration, interoperability and data sharing with existing national building systems (e.g. land register) and transfer to the EU Buildings Observatory. The design of the platform and its interconnection to existing databases as well as data collection process shall be outlined in a feasibility study to be completed by Q4 2023.

A data collection shall be completed by Q2/2026 for at least 4 100 public buildings covering energy certificates and building renovation passports containing plans of concrete renovation measures for each building. The reform shall also entail i) an information campaign targeting owners of public buildings to promote renovations and energy savings and ii) information and training activities for independent experts in charge of preparation of building renovation passports.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by Q2 2026.

Reform 4: Management of central government buildings  

The objective of the reform is to create the framework for an efficient management of buildings of the central government, in particular through improved energy management, more efficient use of available building space and strategic and prioritised planning of building renovations and construction.

  

The reform shall entail the preparation of a strategy of management of central government buildings that shall define the tools and processes for i) optimising the central government’s building stock and its more efficient use; ii) increasing energy efficiency, pursuing energy savings and increasing the use of renewable energy and environmentally friendly solutions; and iii) for lowering the overall cost of building use. The strategy shall include a mapping of the current regulatory, financing and operational frameworks for State buildings and shall be adopted by the government in Q2/2025.

The strategy shall cover a study to map the renovation support schemes and instruments, proposals to optimise them and it shall formulate recommendations for deep renovation and energy management practices (such as the use of energy performance contracting (EPC) and financial instruments), which shall be published by Q1/2024.

On the basis of a roadmap and the conclusions formulated in the strategy, the reform shall establish a central coordinating body for administrative buildings of the central government, in particular ensuring property development and management, renovation policies, the rental and ownership policy, facility management and energy management guidelines. The central coordinator shall become functional by Q2 2026.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by Q2 2026. 

 

Investment 2: Improving the energy efficiency of public buildings 

The objective of the investment is to reduce energy consumption in public buildings through quick energy efficiency interventions in public buildings.

The investment shall entail quick energy efficiency interventions in approximately 85 buildings with a total area of at least 184 000 m2 selected through a demand call. The call shall be designed to take into account individual buildings’ needs and shall require the implementation of at least two of the following energy efficiency interventions: i) window replacement, ii) energy management of the buildings (such as installation of smart energy metering systems, introduction of energy saving modes, equithermal or zone control in the heating system, installation of thermostats), iii) lighting modernisation, iv) roof/attic thermal insulation. Deployment of renewables shall be among optional measures. An energy certificate and a renovation passport shall be issued as part of the intervention to facilitate a comprehensive renovation in the future and feed into the database under reform 3 (without counting towards the target under reform 3).   

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by Q1/2025. 

 

Investment 3: Renovation of public historical and listed buildings

The objective of this measure is to scale up the existing investment 2 of Component 2 SK-C[C2]-I[I2], in accordance with Article 21c(2) of the RRF Regulation. The investment aims at improving the energy performance and structural conditions of the historical and listed public buildings. The investment shall result in at least 29 500 m2 of additional renovated surface areas of historical and listed public buildings, while achieving on average at least 30% of primary energy savings.

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by Q2/2026. 

  

Investment 4: Supporting the renovation of households at risk of energy poverty 

The purpose of this measure is to address energy poverty by supporting the renovation of single-family houses of vulnerable groups. People defined as being at a risk of energy poverty shall cover for example persons in receipt of any social benefit for severely disabled and low-income persons. The measure is composed of two sub-measures (one investment and one reform).    

Support for gas boiler installation shall not be allowed under these investments.

Sub-measure 1: Light renovation scheme 

The objective of the sub-measure is to support a “light renovation” of single-family houses of persons at a risk of energy poverty through a call, which shall require implementation of at least one or a combination of the following measures: thermal insulation (including window replacement), replacement of heating and RES installations. Contracts shall include a clause that family houses shall be renovated within 12 months.

In case the renovation scheme includes the support for biomass boilers, the replacement of obsolete coal/oil/biomass 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 fueled by pellets, briquettes and chipped wood. The replacement of obsolete 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 fueled by pellets. No replacement of gas boilers by biomass boilers is allowed in Air Quality zones with exceedance of PM10 Limit Values. 

Out of the overall objective of 4 530 renovations of single-family houses, the investment shall result in at least 4 080 renovated houses, which shall be completed by Q3/2025. Contracts are expected to be signed by the Ministry of Environment by Q3/2024.

Sub-measure 3: Technical assistance to support the renovation of single-family houses 

The objective of the sub-measure is to strengthen the technical assistance provided by Slovak Environmental Agency on the renovation of single-family houses to be delivered on the ground to owners with emphasis on family houses of persons at a risk of energy poverty. Additional capacities of at least 35 full-time staff shall strengthen the network of existing regional offices. Overall, the technical assistance (in the regional offices and by external experts) shall offer a consultation on possible energy efficiency measures, assist in the grant application process and if requested filling in the grant application as well as carrying out a personal on-site inspection of the renovation object, etc. 

It is expected that 20 000 assisted applications/consultations are processed.  

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by Q2 2026. 

  

Thematic Area 3: Sustainable transport  

The investments aim to top-up measures linked to existing investments in Component 3. The objective of the investments is to support the development of zero-emission transport and relevant infrastructure, including railways and trams. The aim of the investments is to respond to REPowerEU objectives of reducing the consumption of fossil fuels in transport, making the sector more efficient, as well as accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles in public transport through further electrification. 

  

Investment 5: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure

The investment aims to scale up the existing measure under Investment 1 of Component 3, in accordance with Article 21c(2) of the RRF Regulation. The investment shall result in additional 10km of electric trolleybus lines in Bratislava. 

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by the end of Q2 2026.

Investment 6: Promoting clean passenger transport

The objective of the investment is to scale up the existing measure under Investment 2 of Component 3, in accordance with Article 21c(2) of the RRF Regulation. The Investment shall result in the deployment of 5 additional electric multiple unit and 10 additional trams. The implementation of the investment shall be completed by the end of Q2 2026.  

 

Thematic Area 4: Green Skills  

Reform 6: Skills for green transition

The objective of the reform is to update the current education and training programmes to reflect the current labour market needs for green skills. The reform consists of three parts.

The first part provides for the adaptation of the curriculum for the secondary vocational schools that focus on developing the green skills needed in the sectors with the highest grow potential, especially: renewable energy sources and electromobility. The updated curriculum shall be in line with the ESCO (The European Classification of Occupations, Skills and Competences) classification of the green skills.

The second part of the reform shall bring the change in qualification standards for the preparatory education of teachers in secondary vocational schools, as well as the update of teachers’ training programmes themselves. The newly created training for teachers and other teaching staff in secondary vocational schools shall focus on developing teaching skills in the following areas: renewable energy sources and electromobility. The update of teachers’ programme shall reflect the ESCO (The European Classification of Occupations, Skills and Competences) classification of green skills.

The third part provides for the development of the adult training programmes for acquisition or extension of the skills and/or qualifications for the occupations for which there is a shortage of skilled workers or the sectors that are undergoing a major transition (such as heavy industry, automotive). The adult training programmes shall be focused on skills in the following areas: renewable energy sources and electromobility. The training programmes shall be developed in close cooperation with relevant experts.

The implementation of the reform shall be completed by 30 December 2024.

  

Investment 7: schools’ equipment and training

The objective of the investment is to adapt and provide schools with adequate equipment for the theoretical and practical teaching. The provision of material technical equipment as well as the necessary structural adjustments to the premises shall be done in thirteen secondary vocational schools to conduct the dedicated training programmes focusing on renewable energy sources or electromobility.

The second part of the investment aims at providing trainings for the teaching and professional staff based on the updated training programme for teachers that shall be developed under Reform 6. By September 2025 at least 180 trainings for secondary vocational school teachers and trainers shall be provided to deliver the subjects of renewables and electromobility in schools (some participants can take part in more than one training).

The implementation of the investment shall be completed by 30 June 2026.

Thematic Area 5: Coordination capacities and communication support

Investment 8: The objective of this measure is to scale up the existing Investment 4, Component 16 focusing on streamlining, optimising and strengthening administrative capacity at different levels of government, SK-C[C16]-I[I4], in accordance with Article 21c(2) of the RRF Regulation.

The investment is designed to support the implementation of communication activities, including campaigns related to the REPowerEU Component, in particular with regard to: i) energy and permitting processes of RES, ii) building renovation and management and iii) skills for green transition.  The communication activities shall support the implementation of relevant individual measures, whilst applying innovative communication elements targeting potential beneficiaries, based on the specific communication needs of each measure. The investment shall result in the establishment of a dedicated behavioural communication team at the level of NICA, comprised of 3 full-time and 2 external staff.

In addition, the investment shall support the implementation capacity and staffing necessary to coordinate processes related to the implementation of REPowerEU with additional 5 full-time and 2 external staff.

The implemenation of the investement shall be completed by Q2 2026.

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 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Submeasure 1 – Legislative and procedural changes speeding up the issuing of environmental permits | Target | Technical assistance to accelerate and improve the quality of environmental permitting procedures | Publication of strategic organizational changes of Slovak Environmental Inspectorate and relevant bodies | Number of full time staff employed. | 0 | 115 | Q2 | 2026 | Technical assistance in the form of 115 additional, full-time staff shall be provided for accelerating procedures under the EIA Act and subsequent permitting procedures for the issuance of integrated permits for proposed or modified renewables projects. At least 100 of the 115 staff should work directly on the EIA development consents and subsequent construction permits for renewables.    Adoption of changes in SEI´s organizational structure and publication of strategic documents guiding the Inspectorate´s and regional office´s activities. |
| 2 | 2 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Submeasure 1 - Legislative and procedural changes speeding up the issuing of environmental permits | Milestone | Entry into force of legislative and procedural changes | Provision in the law indicating the entry into force of the law |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | The threshold values in Table 2, Annex 8 of the EIA Act shall be amended to accelerate the EIA procedures for geothermal and wind energy. Instead of a mandatory EIA assessment, a screening procedure under the EIA Act shall be required for the installation of individual wind turbines between 0.1 and 1 MW inclusive. For geothermal energy, it shall be subjected to a screening procedure under the EIA Act for wells from 300 m (inclusive).    The amended EIA Act shall introduce new binding, enforceable time limits for all procedures under the EIA Act, which may vary for certain renewable technologies.    For all renewables projects with the exception of hydro energy, a mandatory assessment shall take no longer than 8 months and a screening assessment no longer than 3 months.    Legislative changes for all environmental legislation (water, air, waste, etc.) shall enter into force, together with organisational changes leading to the creation of a “partially specialised state administration” for procedures under the EIA Act. |
| 3 | 3 – REPowerEU – Reform 1- Sub-measure 2 - Improving the use of geothermal energy | Target | “Passportisation” of geothermal wells |  | Number of “passportised” geothermal wells | 0 | 60 | Q2 | 2026 | At least 60 geothermal wells shall be “passportised”. It shall provide public access to information on geothermal sites in Slovakia. The online information published at the website of the State Geological Institute Dionyza Stura shall, at least, consist of the following information: localisation of well, its depth, technical status, water parameters and geothermal use potential. |  |
| 4 | 4 – REPowerEU – Reform 1- Sub-measure 3- Heat pump support | Milestone | Entry into force of legislative amendment of the Water Act No 364/2004 | Provision in the law indicating the entry into force of the Water Act No 364/2004 |  |  |  | Q3 | 2024 | The legislative amendment shall introduce an exemption from the obligation to pay a charge for the use of groundwater for energy use for water-to-water heat pumps, by the amendment of the Water Act No 364/2004.The law amendment shall be in line with the proposed EIA reform under sub-measure 1 (reform 1). |  |
| 5 | 5 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Submeasure 4 – Best Available Technology Center | Target | Entry into operation of Best Available Technology (BAT) centre and provision of BAT reference documents | Establishment of BAT centre and publication of BAT reference documents |  |  |  | Q4 | 2025 | The entry into operation of the BAT centre that shall coordinate and ensure the obtaining, processing and exchange of BAT information, new technologies, including the areas of circularity in industrial processes and materials, industrial decarbonisation and diversifying the energy supply.  Translated BAT documents (BREF) into Slovak shall be published and made available to the industry and permitting bodies in order to guarantee the transition to cleaner industrial processes. |  |
| 6 | 5 - REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Submeasure 5 - Preparation of an assessment of the trajectories of sustainable use and supply of biomass in Slovakia for period 2025-2035 | Milestone | Assessment of the trajectories of sustainable use of biomass and supply of biomass in Slovakia | Publication of the assessment |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | The Ministry of Environment shall complete and publish the assessment of the trajectories of sustainable use of biomass in Slovakia and its impacts on the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sinks, biodiversity as well as air quality in Slovakia for the period up to 2035. The impact on air quality shall be assessed to the extent of available data and if relevant, the gaps on data availability shall be identified by the evaluation. The assessment shall provide recommendations to guide future biomass investment financed by the government or EU funds (such as RRF, Modernisation, Cohesion Funds).  The integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 shall include reference and integrate outcomes of the evaluation when available in its update and reporting as well as in the updated National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) under the NEC Directive (EU) 2016/2284. |
| 7 | 7- REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Submeasure 6 – Developing and promoting the production of bio-methane, organic fertilizers and the circular bio-economy | Milestone | Developing and promoting the production of bio-methane, organic fertilisers and the circular bio-economy | Publication of the circular bio-economy roadmap, comprehensive map, and two technology catalogues. Provision indicating the entry into force of legislative and non-legislative measures facilitating biomethane investments. |  |  |  | Q4 | 2025 | The circular bio-economy roadmap shall be introduced assessing Slovakia´s potential for biogas and biomethane production and the effective integration of the latter into the grid. The roadmap shall identify bio-gas stations suitable for transformation to biomethane production. The transformation shall fall under the scope of a screening EIA permitting procedure. The document shall provide a trajectory to reach the identified national potential by 2030 and 2050.  A set of legislative and/or, as appropriate, non-legislative measures needed to remove identified barriers for the permitting and production or injection of the biomethane into the grid and use of biomethane plant residues as fertilizers shall enter into force.  Feasibility of using biogenic CO2 shall be addressed.  A comprehensive map of production potential for bio-gas and bio-methane, technology catalogues, and a circular bio-economy roadmap identifying the appropriate areas for the development of a circular bio-economy shall be published on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture.  The map shall include collection and updating of data on the quality, quantity and spatial location of biowaste in Slovakia suitable for energy and nutrient recovery. It shall also include data about biogas and biomethane plant network, it´s structural condition and operational parameters.  Two technology catalogues and one catalogue of measures shall be developed and adopted. |
| 8 | 8 - REPowerEU – Reform 2- Sub-measure 1 - Development of methodologies and 2 pilot areas suitable for wind energy development | Milestone | Entry into force of legislation on ‘go-to areas’ for renewables and publication of the draft methodology for the establishment of ‘go-to areas’ | Provision in the law indicating the entry into force of the law |  |  |  | Q4 | 2024 | Entry into force of legislation on ‘go-to areas’, introducing specific simplified permitting and grid connection procedures for the development of installations within such areas.  Publication and application of the draft methodology for the establishment of ‘go-to areas’ suitable for the development of wind energy (“Wind Energy Methodology”). It shall introduce unified criteria for the selection and assessment of sites suitable areas for wind energy development. The methodology shall introduce also environmental, economical, technical and public participation and grid connectivity criteria for demarcating the go-to areas. The methodology shall be developed in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including through public consultation and transparent dialogue. |
| 9 | 9 - REPowerEU – Reform 2- Sub-measure 1 - Development of methodologies and establishment of 2 pilot ‘go-to areas’ areas suitable for wind energy development | Target | Establishment of pilot ‘go-to areas’ suitable for wind energy development. Adoption and application of the final methodology for the establishment of go-to areas. |  | MW | 0 | 300 | Q4 | 2025 | The pilot ‘go-to areas’ for wind energy shall be established with a potential, overall installed capacity of at least 300 MW. The pilot go-to areas shall include their digital maps (e.g. wind speed and wind power, number of wind days, distance from flight paths, buffer zones, bird feeding zones, migration corridors, etc.), taking into account the procedures foreseen in the Renewable Energy Directive. An environmental permit authorisation under the EIA Act shall be carried out for the go-to areas for projects and investments on its territory, with a view to simplify the permitting procedures for projects within the area.  The final methodology shall be adopted and applied. |
| 10 | 10- REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Sub-measure 2 – Hydrogen Action Plan | Milestone | Publication of Hydrogen Action Plan | Adoption by the Government of the Action Plan |  |  |  | Q2 | 2024 | The Action Plan shall define the priorities of the developing a primarily renewable hydrogen ecosystem in Slovakia, notably analysing the various segments of the Slovak hydrogen economy, in particular aligning the supply and demand of renewable hydrogen with EU legislative framework.  The Action Plan shall set out public financing priorities for different segments of the Slovak hydrogen ecosystem and set out timelines for launching relevant funding calls.  The Action Plan shall be accompanied by a list of primary legislation, secondary legislation, and binding technical norms which shall be adopted to align with EU legal framework. |
| 11 | 11- REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Submeasure 2 – Hydrogen Action Plan | Milestone | Measures to promote the uptake of hydrogen | Entry into force of a set of legislative and other measures |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | As part of the enabling conditions of the Hydrogen Action Plan, the Slovak authorities shall adopt legislative measures and technical measures for the production of renewable hydrogen, hydrogen storage standards, and for industrial and energy use and for various transport modes. The legislative measures shall be adopted by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.    The list of measures shall be based on the list of legislative measures, and technical norms accompanied in the Hydrogen Action Plan. |
| 12 | 11 – REPowerEU – Reform 2- Sub-measure 3- Integration of renewables into the electricity grid | Milestone | Measures streamlining and accelerating the connection of renewables to the grid | Entry into force of a set of mandatory measures addressing five objectives |  |  |  | Q1 | 2025 | Adoption of the following measures, which shall be mandatory for the national authorities and grid operators:  1/ lowering barriers for connection to the grid, including through adaptation of rules for the re-release of unused capacities; and at least one of the following: a) specifying the time limits for reservation of grid capacities; b) introduction of financial incentives discouraging the non-utilization of allocated capacities in due time;  2/ measures increasing transparency of connection process (including the connection decisions) through regularly updated online information on available grid connection capacities and other relevant information, both at the level of regional distribution system operators and the transmission system operator. The transparency requirements should be unified across all distribution companies.  3/ harmonisation of rules for connection of renewable installations to the electricity distribution systems across all regional distribution system operators, particularly through unified process of issuing approvals for grid connection.  4/ adoption of additional, regulatory incentive mechanisms for DSOs by the Regulator of Network Industries to invest in distribution grid development, with a view to supporting the grid integration of renewables  5/ introduction of binding time limits for the grid connection procedures for small scale and local renewables, |
| 13 | 12 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.1.: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – upgrade of the substation | Milestone | Upgrade of the substation | The entry into operation of the substation |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | The investment shall result in the entry into operation of the substation of the Slovak transmission system operator (SEPS). The upgrade shall include:  1. replacement of transformers including the increase in transformation capacity by at least 150 MVA.  2. Looping of the 400 kV line to substation, newly connecting it to the 400kV line and removing of the old 220kV line.  3. The substation remotely controlled from the national dispatch centre of the Slovak transmission system operator (SEPS).  4. Installation of compensation devices, increasing the ability to regulate voltages in the transmission system. |
| 14 | 13 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.2.: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – upgrading of transmission lines | Target | Refurbishment works in the transmission system of the Slovak Republic |  | km | 0 | 225 | Q4 | 2025 | Of the overall objective of 250km, at least 225 km, of transmission lines shall be modernised. The refurbishment is envisaged within the network of the Slovak transmission system operator (SEPS), consisting of upgrades of components of the high-voltage electrical transmission lines. |
| 15 | 15 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.3.: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – modernisation of distribution systems | Target | Completion of investments into modernisation of distribution networks in the Slovak Republic |  | MW | 0 | 977,20 MW | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall objective of 1 085,78 MW, at least 977,20 MW of cumulative additional capacity for connection of renewable energy sources to the distribution networks in Slovakia shall be achieved. In particular, the projects shall contribute to removing bottlenecks in the grids and maximizing the additional technical capacity for integration of new renewables. |
| 16 | 16 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.4.: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – the Energy Data Center | Milestone | Entry into operation of the Energy Data Centre | The commissioning of production operation of the Energy Data Centre. |  |  |  | Q3 | 2024 | The Energy Data Centre starts its production operation. |
| 17 | 17 – REPowerEU – Reform 3: Creation of a database and data exchange system on the energy performance of buildings | Target | Data collection of energy certificates and renovation passports of public buildings |  | Number | 0 | 4 100 | Q2 | 2026 | The collection of data covering energy certificates and renovation passports for at least 4 100 public buildings, of which at least 1000 shall have a floor area above 2 000 m2, shall be completed and the data shall be uploaded in the functional new data platform. |
| 18 | 18 – REPowerEU – Reform 4: Management of central government buildings | Milestone | Strategy for the management of central government buildings | Adoption of the Strategy by the Government |  |  |  | Q2 | 2025 | The strategy of central government building management shall define the tools and processes for i. optimising the central government’s building stock and its more efficient use; ii. increasing energy efficiency, pursuing energy savings and increasing the use of renewable energy and environmentally friendly solutions; and iii. for lowering the overall cost of building use. The strategy shall include a detailed overview of the current regulatory, financing and operational frameworks for State buildings.    The strategy shall also include a study mapping renovation support schemes and instruments together with proposals to optimise them and recommendations for deep renovation and energy management practices, which shall be published by Q1/2024. |
| 19 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 4: Management of central government buildings | Milestone | Establishment of central coordinating body for administrative buildings of the central government | Entry into force of the relevant binding legal act establishing the coordinating body |  |  |  | Q2 | 2026 | The central coordinating body for administrative buildings of the central government shall have the following duties: property development and management, renovation policies, the rental and ownership policy, facility management and issuance of energy management guidelines. |
| 20 | 20 – REPowerEU – Investment 2: Improving the energy efficiency of public buildings | Target | Total floor area of buildings with implemented energy efficiency measures |  | Area (m2) | 0 | 184 000 | Q1 | 2025 | Energy efficiency interventions shall be completed in public buildings covering a total area of at least 184 000 m2, selected through a demand call.    The call shall be designed to take into account individual buildings’ needs and shall require the implementation of at least two of the following energy efficiency interventions: i) window replacement, ii) energy management of the building (such as installation of smart energy metering systems, introduction of energy saving modes, equithermal or zone control in the heating system, installation of thermostats), iii) lighting modernisation and iv) roof or attic thermal insulation. |
| 21 | 21 – REPowerEU – Investment 3: Renovation of public historical and listed buildings  - SCALE UP measure SK-C[C2]-I[I2] | Target | Renovation of public historical and listed buildings |  | Area (m2) | 101 220 | 130 720 | Q2 | 2026 | At least 29 500m2 of additional surface areas of the historic and listed public buildings shall be renovated to reach the final target of at least 130 720 m2 renovated floor areas out of the overall objective of 145 228m2,  in line with the measure SK-C[C2]-I[I2]. |
| 22 | 22 – REPowerEU – Investment 4: Supporting the renovation of households at risk of energy poverty – light renovation scheme | Target | Number of renovated houses of people at risk of energy poverty |  | number | 0 | 4 080 | Q3 | 2025 | Out of the overall objective of 4 530 renovations of single-family houses of people at a risk of energy poverty, at least 4 080 shall be completed by Q3/2025.    If the biomass boilers are included under the scheme, they shall comply with DNSH requirements in line with the DNSH Technical Guidance (2021/C58/01).    The network of existing regional centres of Slovak Environmental Agency shall be strengthened by additional 35 full-time staff and by an assistance of external experts. This aims to process 20 000 assisted applications//consultations are processed. |
| 24 | 24 – REPowerEU – Investment 5: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure, SCALE UP measure SK-C[C3]-I[I1.a] | Target | Length of reconstructed or upgraded track infrastructure for clean passenger transport (in weighted km) |  | Length (weighted km) | 49.7 | 51.7 | Q2 | 2026 | The total number of weighed kilometres. Of the overall infrastructure, the investment shall result in additional 10km of one-way single track of electric trolleybus lines. |
| 25 | 25 – REPowerEU – Investment 6: Promoting environmentally friendly passenger transport, SCALE UP measure SK-C[C3]-I[I2] | Target | Number of clean passenger rolling stock procured (weighted) |  | Number  (weighted) | 9 | 17 | Q2 | 2026 | Of the overall number of clean passenger rolling stock procured, at least 5 additional multiple electric units and 10 trams shall be put into operation. |
| 26 | 26 – REPowerEU – Reform 6: Skills for the green transition | Milestone | New training modules in educational programmes of secondary vocational schools and a training programme for teachers and adults | Approval by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic the updated curriculum for secondary vocational schools and the training programme for teachers and adults |  |  |  | Q4 | 2024 | The updated curriculum as well as the teachers’ programme shall be prepared in line with the ESCO (The European Classification of Occupations, Skills ad Competences) classification of the green skills. The updated curriculum shall be approved by secondary vocational schools, the teachers’ programme shall be approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. |
| 27 | 27 – REPowerEU – Investment 7:  schools’ equipment and teachers’ training | Target | Equipping schools for green trainings |  | Number | 0 | 13 | Q3 | 2025 | 13 schools shall be equipped and have adapted spaces for the theoretical and practical teaching of secondary vocational school students and teaching staff. |
| 28 | 28 – REPowerEU – Investment 7:  schools’ equipment and teachers’ training | Target | Training for teaching staff |  | Number | 0 | 180 | Q3 | 2025 | 180 trainings for secondary vocational school teachers and trainers shall be provided in the fields of renewable energy sources and electromobility. A participant in several different training modules shall be counted multiple times - once for each training or learning activity. |
| 29 | 29 – REPowerEU – Investment 7:  schools’ equipment and teachers’ training | Target | 3rd year students at the end of school year 2025/26 and graduates in the field of renewable energy sources or electromobility |  | Number | 0 | 565 | Q2 | 2026 | At least 565 3rd year students at the end of school year 2025/26 and graduates shall be certified by a certification of completion of new modules in the field of renewable energy sources and electromobility. |
| 30 | 30 – REPowerEU – Investment 8: Part 1 - Communication for REPowerEU chapter implementation  SCALE UP measure SK-C[C16]-I[I4] | Target | Number of communication campaigns |  |  | 0 | 6 | Q2 | 2026 | Conducting of 6 communication campaigns to support the implementation of the REPowerEU thematic areas: i) energy and permitting processes of RES; ii) building renovation and management and iii) skills for the green transition.  To this effect, NIKA shall adopt a communication strategy, on the basis of which communication activities and campaigns shall be implemented.    The communication and coordination of the REPowerEU component shall be supported by additional 8 full staff hired by NIKA for the period between Q3 2023 and Q2 2026. A dedicated behavioural communication team shall be established at NIKA. |

2.Estimated total cost of the recovery and resilience plan

The estimated total cost of the recovery and resilience plan of Slovakia is EUR 6 408 465 020.

The estimated total costs of the REPowerEU chapter is EUR 441 323 351. In particular, the estimated total costs of the measures referred to in Article 21c(3), point (a) of Regulation (EU) 2023/435 is EUR 0 whilst the costs of the other measures in the REPowerEU chapter is EUR 441 323 351

SECTION 2: FINANCIAL SUPPORT

1.Financial contribution  

The instalments referred to in Article 2(2) shall be organised in the following manner: 

 

1.First Instalment (non-repayable support):  

 

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 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 electricity system |
| 2 | 3 - Sustainable transport-Reform 1: Reform of the preparation of transport investment projects | Milestone | Investment plan for railway infrastructure projects |
| 3 | 3 - Sustainable transport-Reform 1: Reform of the preparation of transport investment projects | Milestone | Methodology for selecting, preparing and implementing projects for cycling |
| 4 | 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 |
| 5 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions-Reform 5: Concentration of excellent educational and research capacities | Milestone | Start bringing together of universities into larger units |
| 6 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding-Reform 2: Reform of the organisation and funding of non-business research institutions, in particular the Slovak Academy of Sciences | Milestone | Reform of the Slovak Academy of Science (SaS) |
| 7 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent-Investment 4: Promoting internationalisation in the academic environment | Milestone | Strategy for internationalisation of universities |
| 8 | 15 - Judicial reform-Reform 2: Fighting corruption and strengthening the integrity and independence of the judiciary | Milestone | Package of laws to fight corruption and strengthen integrity and independence of the justice system |
| 9 | 15 - Judicial reform-Reform 1: Reform of the Judicial Map – Legislation | Milestone | Definition of a new judicial map |
| 10 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Reform 2: Modernisation and capacity building of the police force | Milestone | Implementation of organisational changes to police to increase the efficiency of crime detection, investigation and detection of corruption |
| 11 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4: Strengthening administrative capacity at different levels of government – establishment of a National Implementation and Coordination Authority | Milestone | Audit & controls: legal basis |
| 12 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4:Strengthening administrative capacity at different levels of government – establishment of a National Implementation and Coordination Authority | Milestone | RRP Repository System: information for monitoring implementation of RRP |
| 13 | 17 - Digital Slovakia-Reform 4: Standardisation of technical and procedural cybersecurity solutions | Milestone | National Concept for Informatisation of Public Administration (NKIVS) 2021-2030 |
| 14 | 18 - Sound, sustainable and competitive public finances –Reform 2: Introducing expenditure ceilings | Milestone | Anchoring expenditure ceilings in Law 523/2004 on the budgetary rules |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 458 277 000 |

 

2.Second Instalment (non-repayable support): 

  

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 2 - Building renovation- Reform 3: The management of construction waste | Milestone | The amendment to the Waste Act |
| 2 | 5 - 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 |
| 3 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Investment 1: Removing of 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 |
| 4 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions- Reform 2: Introduction 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 |
| 5 | 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. |
| 6 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent- Reform 1: Reform of residence and labour legislation | Milestone | Facilitation of the return to the country and increase of the attractiveness of the country for foreigners with family ties |
| 7 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent-Reform 1: Reform of residence and labour legislation | Milestone | Scheme defining a new category of applicants for national visa (D). |
| 8 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent- Reform 2: Simplification of the regime for the recognition of qualifications and professional qualifications for the exercise of regulated professions | Milestone | Simplification of the recognition of educational and professional qualifications |
| 9 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare-Reform 1 Optimization of the Hospital Network (UN) | Milestone | Introduction of the hospital network |
| 10 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 2 Reform of the preparation of health investment plans | Milestone | A prioritised investment plan according to the investment evaluation methodology adopted by the Ministry of Health |
| 11 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Reform 5 Reform of primary care provision for adults, children and youth | Milestone | The new law on the establishment of the network of general care providers and the introduction of zoning |
| 12 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Reforming the supervision of social care and providing infrastructure for its implementation | Milestone | Reform of the supervision of social care |
| 13 | 14 - Improve the business environment- Reform 3: Reform of public procurement – adaptation of legislation | Milestone | Reform of the Public Procurement Procedures Act |
| 14 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Reform 1: Making the fight against corruption and AML more effective | Milestone | Reforms to streamline and improve financial investigations |
| 15 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies | Milestone | Design of support scheme for development and application of top digital technologies |
| 16 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 7: Improving the digital skills of seniors and the distribution of Senior Tablets | Target | Number of seniors and disadvantaged persons trained in basic digital skills |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR  814 715 000 |

 

  

3.Third Instalment (non-repayable support):

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 1 - Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure- Reform 1: Adapting the electricity legal framework | Milestone | Reform of electricity market |
| 2 | 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 |
| 3 | 2 - Building renovation- Reform 1: The harmonisation of support mechanisms for the renovation of family houses | Milestone | Implementation plan to mobilize green renovation of family houses |
| 4 | 2 - Building renovation- Reform 1:  Improving the energy efficiency of family houses | Milestone | Launch of the support schemes to mobilise energy savings and green renovation |
| 5 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Reform 3: Intermodal freight transport reform | Milestone | Concept and calls for new support schemes |
| 6 | 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 |
| 7 | 4 - Decarbonisation of industry- Reform 2: The competitive scheme for greenhouse gas emissions reduction in industry | Milestone | Adoption of the industrial decarbonisation scheme |
| 8 | 5 - Adapting to climate change – Reform 2: Reforming nature conservation and water management in the countryside | Milestone | More effective application of nature protection measures in landscapes in protected areas and the revitalisation of watercourses |
| 9 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 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 | Target | Enrollment rate in pre-primary schools for children aged five years |
| 10 | 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. |
| 11 | 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. |
| 12 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 6: Compensatory measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in education for primary and secondary school pupils | Target | Number of pupils taking part in tuition programmes |
| 13 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions- Investment 1: support for the strategic development of universities | Milestone | At least 2 calls concluded for supporting the strategic development of universities |
| 14 | 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 |
| 15 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions- Reform 2: Introduction of a system of periodic scientific performance evaluation | Target | Number of Performed evaluations |
| 16 | 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 |
| 17 | 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 |
| 18 | 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 |
| 19 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 2: Support for cooperation between firms, academia and RD organisations | Milestone | Launch of calls for projects to support cooperation between companies, academia and R & D organisations and vouchers |
| 20 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 3: Excellent science | Milestone | Launch of calls to support excellent researchers |
| 21 | 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 |
| 22 | 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 |
| 23 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4: Strengthening administrative capacity at different levels of government – establishment of a National Implementation and Coordination Authority | Milestone | Minimising implementation risk by establishing a coordination, financial and implementing body (NIKA) for the Recovery and Resilience Facility |
| 24 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalizing the police force – renewal of the vehicle fleet | Target | Purchase of new vehicles (10 % of the fleet) of electric and hybrid vehicles |
| 25 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 3: Engaging in cross-border European projects related to the digital economy | Target | Number of Digital Innovation Hubs in Slovakia/ European Digital Innovation Hub creating a network |
| 26 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Reform 1: Creating eGovernment solutions for priority life situations | Milestone | Investment plan for priority life situations |
| 27 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Reform 3: Managing the digital transformation of the economy and society | Milestone | Action Plan for the Digital Transformation of Slovakia for years 2023-2026 |
| 28 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Reform 6: A strategic approach to education in digital skills in cooperation with representatives of key stakeholders | Milestone | National Digital Skills Strategy |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 814 715 000 |

 

   

4.Fourth Instalment (non-repayable support):  

 

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Reform 1: Reform of the preparation of transport investment projects | Milestone | The amendment to the Railways Act and related regulations on transport infrastructure parameters |
| 2 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Reform 2: Public passenger transport reform | Milestone | New law on public passenger transport |
| 3 | 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 |
| 4 | 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 |
| 5 | 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 educational needs of the target group of pupils |
| 6 | 7 - Education for 21 Century- Reform 1: Education content and form reform – Curricular and textbook reform | Milestone | Approval of the final version of the new curriculum for all primary and lower-secondary schools organized in multiannual education cycles |
| 7 | 7 - Education for 21 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 |
| 8 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Reform 4 Optimisation of the acute healthcare network and new definition of emergency healthcare | Milestone | Amendment to the law on Optimal ambulance network and new definition of emergency healthcare |
| 9 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Reform of integration and financing of long-term social and health care | Milestone | New legislative framework for long-term health and palliative care |
| 10 | 14 - Improve the business environment- Reform 1: Reducing the regulatory burden on business | Milestone | introduction of the new regulatory burden reduction tools: —Implementation of the “1in-2out” rule – Introduction of ex-post evaluation of existing regulations (legislative and non-legislative materials) – Introduction of protection against unjustified goldplating |
| 11 | 14 - Improve the business environment- Reform 3: Reform of public procurement – digitalisation of public procurement processes | Milestone | Digitalisation of public procurement processes through a single electronic platform. |
| 12 | 14 - Improve the business environment- Reform 2: Reform of the insolvency framework – adaptation of legislation | Milestone | Reform of the insolvency framework |
| 13 | 15 - Judicial reform- Reform 1: Reform of the Judicial Map – Legislation | Milestone | The introduction of the new court network |
| 14 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - - Reform 3: Optimising crisis management | Milestone | Entry into force of the optimised crisis management |
| 15 | 18 - Sound, sustainable and competitive public finances – Reform 1: Improving the sustainability of the pension system | Milestone | Pension system reform |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 923 828 000 |

 

  

5. Fifth Instalment (non-repayable support):  

 

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 2 - Building renovation- Reform 2:  Increasing transparency and streamlining decisions of the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic | Milestone | Methodologies for the decision-making process of the Monuments Board of the Slovak republic |
| 2 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Reform 2: Public passenger transport reform | Milestone | Implementation of optimised rail transport timetable |
| 3 | 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 |
| 4 | 5 – Adaptation to climate change – Reform 1: Land planning reform | Milestone | The Land Planning Reform |
| 5 | 5 - 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) |
| 6 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 5: Supporting school desegregation | Milestone | Adoption of legislative amendments that introduce of the definition of at schools in the legislation and the development of methodological material for the implementation of desegregation |
| 7 | 7 - Education for 21 Century- Reform 2: Preparing and developing teachers for new content and form of teaching | Target | Percentage of teachers trained especially in preparation for the new curriculum inclusive education and digital skills |
| 8 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions- Reform 1: Change in funding for universities, including the introduction of performance contracts | Target | Performance contracts signed with public universities (in percentage) |
| 9 | 8 – Increase in the performance of  Slovak higher education institutions –  Investment 1: support for the strategic  development of universities | Milestone | At least 2 calls concluded for supporting the strategic development of universities |
| 10 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 3: Excellent science | Target | Number of excellent researchers supported |
| 11 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 6: Financial instruments to support innovation | Milestone | Launch and implementation of financial instruments to support innovation |
| 12 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Reform 3: Centralization of the management of the largest hospitals | Milestone | Establishment of a central hospital management body from an organisational, operational and economic point of view |
| 13 | 13 – Accessible and high -quality long -term socio - health care – Reform 1: Available and quality long -term socio -health care – Reform of integration and financing of long - term social and health care | Milestone | Publication of the concept of financing social services for public debate |
| 14 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Reform 2: Assessment of care needs | Milestone | Unification of the assessment system |
| 15 | 13 – Accessible and high -quality long -term socio - health care - Reform 3: Reforming the supervision of social care and providing infrastructure for its implementation | Target | Establishment of a unified supervisory system with headquarter and 8 branches |
| 16 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 1: Tools and capacity for the fight against corruption and money laundering | Milestone | Providing necessary Infrastructure to support the fight against money laundering and corruption |
| 17 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 1: Tools and capacity for the fight against corruption and money laundering | Target | Retraining police officers in financial investigations and analytical activities |
| 18 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Reform 1: Creating eGovernment solutions for priority life situations | Milestone | Roadmap of the priority life situations |
| 19 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Reform 2: Central management of IT resources | Milestone | Central platform for the use of IT resources (digital marketplace) |
| 20 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Sub-measure 2: Hydrogen Action Plan | Milestone | Publication of Hydrogen Action Plan |
| 21 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.4: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – the Energy Data Centre | Milestone | Entry into operation of the Energy Data Centre |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 570 388 736 |

 

6.Sixth Instalment (non-repayable support):   

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 2 - Building renovation- Investment 1: Improving the energy efficiency of family houses | Target | Number of renovated family houses achieving at least 30 % primary energy savings |
| 2 | 2 - Building renovation- Investment 2:  Renovation of public historical and listed buildings | Target | Overall area (m2) of renovated public historical and listed buildings achieving at least 30 % of the primary energy savings |
| 3 | 5 - Adapting to climate change – Investment 1: Adapting regions to climate change, focusing on nature conservation and biodiversity development | Target | Rehabilitation of watercourses (in Km of rehabilitated watercourses) |
| 4 | 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 real staff and operational costs of the facility concerned, as well as the achievement of the enrolment rate of children aged four years. |
| 5 | 7 - Education for 21 Century- Reform 1: Education content and form reform – Curricular and textbook reform | Target | Creation of a network of regional centres of support |
| 6 | 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 supported |
| 7 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 4: Research and innovation to decarbonise the economy | Target | Number of selected projects addressing the challenges of the green transition |
| 8 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 5: Research and innovation for the digitalisation of the economy | Target | Number of RDI projects selected under the calls addressing the challenges of digital transformation. |
| 9 | 10 – Attracting and retaining talents - Investment 1: Support tools and assistance for returnees, highly qualified third-country workers and their family members and foreign higher education students studying in Slovakia | Target | Number of one-stop shops for integration in Slovakia |
| 10 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent- Investment 1: Support tools and assistance for returnees, highly qualified third-country workers and their family members and foreign higher education students studying in Slovakia | Target | Number of foreigners using the IOM Migration Information Centre |
| 11 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent- Investment 3: Scholarships for domestic and foreign talented students | Target | Number of awarded scholarships for talented students. |
| 12 | 11 – Modern and accessible healthcare – Investment 2 New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment | Milestone | Call for tender for the construction and reconstruction of hospitals |
| 13 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Investment 3: Digitalisation in health | Target | Increase in the provision of atrial fibrillation surgeries |
| 14 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Enhancement of the capacities of community-based residential services and health-social low-capacity facilities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |
| 15 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Expansion of outpatient service capacities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |
| 16 | 14 - Improve the business environment- Investment 1: Reducing regulatory burden on business | Milestone | Reduction of the administrative burden on entrepreneurs |
| 17 | 14 – Improve the business environment - Investment 2: Digitalisation of insolvency processes | Target | A single, fully digitised insolvency process is fully operational. |
| 18 | 15 - Judicial reform- Investment 2: Digitalisation and analytical capacities | Target | Modernisation of court IT equipment for the court staff |
| 19 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force – training | Target | Training related to the police reform are rolled out |
| 20 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering, - Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force – new Foreign Residents Registration Information System (IS ECU) | Milestone | Electronicising residence permit processes to simplify processes for the public |
| 21 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering - Investment 4: Strengthening administrative capacity at different levels of government – establishment of shared service centres | Target | Establishment of shared service centres |
| 22 | 16 – Fight against corruption and money laundering - Reform 4: Control and audit | Milestone | Adoption a) of a corruption risk management methodology and b) of procedures regarding the supervision by NIKA of that methodology’s implementation |
| 23 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses | Milestone | Platform for the development and provision of priority life situations |
| 24 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 2: Digital transformation of public service delivery | Target | Digital transformation of public administration sections |
| 25 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 3: Engaging in cross-border European projects related to the digital economy | Target | Participation in multi-country digital projects from the pre-defined set |
| 26 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 6: Strengthening preventive measures, increasing the speed of incident detection and resolution (ITVS – Information technologies for public administration) | Milestone | Number of secured IT systems in the public administration environment |
| 27 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies | Target | Number of projects for development and application of top digital technologies |
| 28 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 3: Heat pump support | Milestone | Entry into force of legislative amendment of the Water Act No 364/2004 |
| 29 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Sub-measure 1: Development of methodologies and 2 pilot areas suitable for wind energy development | Milestone | Entry into force of legislation on ‘go-to areas’ for renewables and publication of the draft methodology for the establishment of ‘go-to areas’ |
| 30 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Sub-measure 3: Integration of renewables into the electricity grid | Milestone | Measures streamlining and accelerating the connection of renewables to the grid |
| 31 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 6: Skills for the green transition | Milestone | New training modules in educational programmes of secondary vocational schools and a training programme for teachers and adults |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 976 600 254 |

7.Seventh Instalment (non-repayable support):  

 

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 4 - Decarbonisation 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 |
| 2 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 4: Implementation of tools to prevent early school leaving and adapt F-type study programmesF | Target | Share of lower secondary vocational education (NSOV) programmes optimised in response to labour market needs |
| 3 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Investment 1: Removing of barriers of school buildings | Target | Elimination of architectural barriers of larger secondary schools |
| 4 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Reform 3 Centralization of the management of the largest hospitals | Target | Number of hospitals involved in central management system |
| 5 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Investment 4 Construction and rehabilitation of ambulance stations (Ambulance Services) | Target | Number of ambulance station constructed or reconstructed |
| 6 | 12 - Human, modern and accessible mental health care- Reform 1: Coordinated inter-ministerial cooperation and regulation | Milestone | Establishment of two coordination entities for mental health |
| 7 | 12 - Human, modern and accessible mental health care- Investment 8: Training in mental health for staff | Target | Number of health sector workers trained in mental health |
| 8 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Extension and restoration of after-care and nursing capacities | Target | Extension and renewal of home nursing providers (indicator: number of providers supported) |
| 9 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Extension and restoration of palliative care capacities | Target | Extension and renewal of the mobile hospices network (indicator: number of new and rebuilt providers) |
| 10 | 14 - Improve the business environment- Investment 1: Capacities for reforms to reduce regulatory burden | Milestone | 1in-2out rule, ex ante evaluation to prevent goldplating and ex post evaluations of existing regulation |
| 11 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering- Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force – Reconstruction of buildings | Milestone | Extent of the renovated floor area of police buildings to reduce the energy intensity of buildings (in m²) |
| 12 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses | Target | Number of eGovernment solutions built and deployed |
| 13 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 6: Strengthening preventive measures, increasing the speed of incident detection and resolution | Milestone | Security audits of applications in public administration environment |
| 14 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 1: Legislative and procedural changes speeding up the issuing of environmental permits | Milestone | Entry into force of legislative and procedural changes |
| 15 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 5: Preparation of an assessment of the trajectories of sustainable use and supply of biomass in Slovakia for period 2025-2035 | Milestone | Assessment of the trajectories of sustainable use of biomass and supply of biomass in Slovakia |
| 16 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Sub-measure 2 – Hydrogen Action Plan | Milestone | Measures to promote the uptake of hydrogen |
| 17 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 4: Management of central government buildings | Milestone | Strategy for the management of central government buildings |
| 18 | 19 – REPowerEU – investment 2: Improving the energy efficiency of public buildings | Target | Total floor area of buildings with implemented energy efficiency measures |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 693 517 408 |

 

 

  

8.Eighth Instalment (non-repayable support):  

 

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 5- Adaptation to climate change - Reform 2: Reforming nature conservation and water management in the country side | Milestone | Finalisation of zonation process of national park |
| 2 | 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 | Target | Number of trained teachers and specialized staff |
| 3 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 5: Supporting school desegregation | Milestone | Entry into force the legislative definition of segregation at schools |
| 4 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 5: Supporting school desegregation | Target | Percentage of schools that apply desegregation standards coming from the adopted methodology |
| 5 | 7 - Education for 21 Century- Reform 1: Education content and form reform – Curricular and textbook reform | Target | Primary schools that implement the new curriculum (in percentage) |
| 6 | 7 - Education for 21 Century- Reform 1: Education content and form reform – Curricular and textbook reform | Target | Introduction of an on-line matura (final exam for graduates from upper secondary school) |
| 7 | 7 – Education for the 21st century – Investment 1: Digital infrastructure in schools | Target | Increase in the percentage of schools with basic level of digital equipment |
| 8 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent- Investment 4: Promoting internationalisation in the academic environment | Target | Number of projects supported to promote or develop the internationalisation of universities and research institutions |
| 9 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare-Reform 1 Optimization of the Hospital Network (UN) | Target | Share of the reprofiled hospitals (authorised within the scope of general and specialised hospitals) under the new hospital network |
| 10 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Investment 3 Digitalisation in health | Target | Number of hospitals connected to the Central ERP system |
| 11 | 12 - Human, modern and accessible mental health care- Investment 2: Creation of detention facilities | Target | Patient capacity of detention facilities |
| 12 | 12 - Human, modern and accessible mental health care-Investment 3: Building psycho-social centres; Investment 4: Completing the psychiatric stationary network; Investment 5: Establishment of specialised centres for autism spectrum disorders | Target | Number of created community-based mental health care centres |
| 13 | 12 - Human, modern and accessible mental health care-Investment 7: Humanisation of institutional psychiatric care | Target | Patient capacity in converted rooms in institutional psychiatric care. |
| 14 | 13 – Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Reform 1: Available and quality long-term care – Reform of integration and financing of long-term social and health care | Milestone | The new financing system of social services – introduction of a personal budget |
| 15 | 13 – accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care – Investment 3: Extension and restoration of palliative care capacities | Target | Expansion and renewal of residential palliative care capacities (indicator: number of bed places created and restored) |
| 16 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 1: reorganisation of courts – renovation of buildings | Target | Reconstructed area of court buildings (in m²) |
| 17 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 1: Reorganisation of courts – Construction/procurement of new buildings | Target | Area of court buildings constructed or purchased (in m²) |
| 18 | 17 – Digital Slovakia - Investment 3: Engaging in multi-country European projects related to the digital economy | Milestone | Development and construction of the supercomputer for the national supercomputing centre |
| 19 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 4: Best Available Technology Centre | Target | Entry into operation of Best Available Technology (BAT) centre and provision of BAT reference documents |
| 20 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 6: Developing and promoting the production of bio-methane, organic fertilisers and the circular bio-economy | Milestone | Developing and promoting the production of bio-methane, organic fertilisers and the circular bio-economy |
| 21 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 2 – Sub-measure 1: Development of methodologies and establishment of 2 pilot ‘go-to areas’ suitable for wind energy development | Target | Establishment of pilot ‘go-to areas’ suitable for wind energy development. Adoption and application of the final methodology for the establishment of go-to areas. |
| 22 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.2: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – upgrading of transmission lines | Target | Refurbishment works in the transmission system of the Slovak Republic |
| 23 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 4: Supporting the renovation of households at risk of energy poverty – light renovation scheme | Target | Number of renovated houses of people at risk of energy poverty |
| 24 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 7: schools’ equipment and teachers’ training | Target | Equipping schools for green trainings |
| 25 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 7: schools’ equipment and teachers’ training | Target | Training for teaching staff |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 577 423 612 |

 

 

  

9.Ninth Instalment (non-repayable support):  

 

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sequential Number | Related Measure (Reform or Investment) | Milestone / Target | Name |
| 1 | 1 - Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure- Investment 1:  Construction of the new renewable electricity sources | Target | New renewable energy source capacity |
| 2 | 1 - Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure- Investment 2: Modernising the existing renewable electricity sources (repowering) | Target | Reconstructed renewable energy source capacity |
| 3 | 1 - Renewable energy sources and energy infrastructure- Investment 3: Increasing flexibility of electricity systems for greater renewables integration | Target | Cumulative increase in capacity of installations increasing the flexibility of energy systems |
| 4 | 2 - Building renovation- Investment 1: Improving the energy efficiency of family houses | Target | Number of renovated family houses achieving at least 30 % primary energy savings |
| 5 | 2 - Building renovation- Investment 2:  Renovation of public historical and listed buildings | Target | Overall area (m2) of renovated public historical and listed buildings achieving at least 30 % of the primary energy savings |
| 6 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Reform 2: Public passenger transport reform | Target | Number of counties in which tariff integration is in place allowing for travelling by multiple modes of public transport or by carriers per ticket |
| 7 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Investment 1: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure | Target | Length of new cycling infrastructure (km) |
| 8 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Investment 1: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure | Target | Length of clean passenger rail infrastructure reconstructed or upgraded (in km weighted) |
| 9 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Investment 1: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure | Target | Length of sections of railway lines dispatched (km) |
| 10 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Investment 2: Promoting clean passenger transport | Target | Number of clean passenger rolling stock procured (weighted) |
| 11 | 3 - Sustainable transport- Investment 3: Development of intermodal freight transport | Target | Number of intermodal transport units procured in Twenty-foot Equivalent Units |
| 12 | 3 - Sustainable transport-Investment 4: Supporting the development of infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles | Target | Number of recharging points or hydrogen refuelling points in operation. |
| 13 | 4 -Decarbonisation of industry- Investment 1:  The operation of the industry decarbonisation scheme | Milestone | Completion of implementation of the industry decarbonisation projects co-financed by the RRF |
| 14 | 5 - Adapting to climate change – Investment 1: Adapting regions to climate change, focusing on nature conservation and biodiversity development | Target | Rehabilitation of watercourses( in Km of rehabilitated watercourses) |
| 15 | 5 – Adaptation to climate change - Investment 2: Building forests resilient to climate change | Target | Sustainable reforestation activities |
| 16 | 6 - Accessibility, development and quality of inclusive education- Reform 1: Ensuring 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 newly built capacities |
| 17 | 7 - Education for 21 Century- Investment 2: Completion of school infrastructure | Target | Elimination of the double-shift schools |
| 18 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions- Reform 5: Concentration of excellent educational and research capacities | Milestone | The completion of the process of merging research units |
| 19 | 8 - Increase in the performance of Slovak higher education institutions- Investment1: support for the strategic development of universities | Target | Reconstructed university area and dormitory with primary energy savings of more than 30 % (in m2) |
| 20 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 1: Promoting international cooperation and participation in Horizon Europe and EIT projects | Target | Number of applications and projects supported under calls aimed at increasing participation and supporting successful institutions and researchers in Horizon Europe calls |
| 21 | 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 supported |
| 22 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 3: Excellent science | Target | Number of excellent researchers supported |
| 23 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 4: Research and innovation to decarbonise the economy | Target | Number of projects addressing the challenges of the green transition, which are completed |
| 24 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 5: Research and innovation for the digitalisation of the economy | Target | Number of RDI projects addressing the challenges of digital transformation, which are completed |
| 25 | 9 - More efficient governance and strengthening RDI funding- Investment 6: Financial instruments to support innovation | Target | Number of companies supported through financial instruments |
| 26 | 10 - Attracting and retaining talent- Investment 2: Strengthening relations with the diaspora, supporting citizens’ initiatives | Target | Number of supported events strengthening relations with the diaspora |
| 27 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Investment 1 Supporting the opening of new primary care | Target | Number of the primary care outpatient clinics supported by a pilot programme |
| 28 | 11 - Modern and accessible healthcare- Investment 2 New hospital network – construction, reconstruction and equipment | Target | Beds made available in upgraded hospitals |
| 29 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Enhancement of the capacities of community-based residential services and health-social low-capacity facilities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |
| 30 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Investment 1: Enhancement of community-based social care capacities | Target | Expansion of outpatient service capacities (indicator: minimum number of weighted capacity units in finished buildings created) |
| 31 | 13 - Accessible and high-quality long-term socio-health care- Investment 2: Extension and restoration of after-care and nursing capacities | Target | Creation of post-care beds by reconstructing existing acute and chronic beds or by building aftercare beds (indicator: minimum number of aftercare beds reconstructed or newly created) |
| 32 | 15 – Reform of the judiciary – Investment 2: Supporting instruments for reform of the Judicial Map – Commercial Register and Centralised System of Judicial Governance | Milestone | Development and handover of an IT system – Business Register |
| 33 | 15 - Judicial reform- Investment 2: Digitalisation and analytical capacities | Milestone | Creation of an analytical support platform for access to case law in courts |
| 34 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering- Investment 2: Equipping and digitalising the police force – Automated system for detecting road traffic offences | Milestone | Automation of the system for detecting road traffic infringements into full operation |
| 35 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering- Investment 3: Modernisation of the fire and rescue system – building a network of Integrated Security Centres | Milestone | Operationalisation of Integrated Security Centre and virtual Integrated Security Centre |
| 36 | 16 - Fight against corruption and money laundering- Investment 3: Modernisation of the fire and rescue system – renewal of fire station buildings | Target | Modernisation of firefighting stations |
| 37 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 1: Better services for citizens and businesses | Target | Number of eGovernment solutions built and deployed |
| 38 | 17 - Digital Slovakia- Investment 2: Digital transformation of public service delivery | Target | Digital transformation of public administration sections |
| 39 | 17 - Digital Slovakia-Investment 4: Support for projects aiming at the development and application of top digital technologies | Target | Number of projects for development and application of top digital technologies |
| 40 | 17 - Digital Slovakia-Investment 5: Fast grants – hackathons | Target | Number of organised fast grant events - hackathons |
| 41 | 17 - Digital Slovakia-Reform 5: Improving cybersecurity training and skills | Target | Number of IT staff in public administration trained in cybersecurity |
| 42 | 17 - Digital Slovakia-Investment 7: Improving the digital skills of seniors and the distribution of Senior Tablets | Target | Number of seniors and disadvantaged persons trained in basic digital skills |
| 43 | 18 - Sound, sustainable and competitive public finances – Reform 3: Reform of public investment management | Milestone | Application of the methodology for the procedures for preparing and prioritising investments |
| 44 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 1: Legislative and procedural changes speeding up the issuing of environmental permits | Target | Technical assistance to accelerate and improve the quality of environmental permitting procedures |
| 45 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 1 – Sub-measure 2: Improving the use of geothermal energy | Target | “Passportisation” of geothermal walls |
| 46 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.1: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – upgrade of the substation | Milestone | Upgrade of the substation |
| 47 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 1.3: Modernisation and digitalisation of the transmission system and regional distribution systems – modernisation of distribution systems | Target | Completion of investments into modernisation of distribution networks in the Slovak Republic |
| 48 | 19 - REPowerEU – Reform 3: Creation of a database and data exchange system on the energy performance of buildings | Target | Data collection of energy certificates and renovation passports of public buildings |
| 49 | 19 – REPowerEU – Reform 4: Management of central government buildings | Milestone | Establishment of central coordinating body for administrative buildings of the central government |
| 50 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 3: Renovation of public historical and listed buildings - SCALE UP measure SK-C[C2]-I[I2] | Target | Renovation of public historical and listed buildings |
| 51 | 19 – REPowerEU – investment 5: Development of low-carbon transport infrastructure - SCALE UP measure SK-C[C3]-I[I1.a] | Target | Length of reconstructed or upgraded track infrastructure for clean passenger transport (in weighted km) |
| 52 | 19 – REPowerEU – investment 6: Promoting environmentally friendly passenger transport - SCALE UP measure SK-C[C3]-I[I2] | Target | Number of clean passenger rolling stock procured (weighted) |
| 53 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 7: schools’ equipment and teachers’ training | Target | 3rd year students at the end of school year 2025/26 and graduates in the field of renewable energy sources or electromobility |
| 54 | 19 – REPowerEU – Investment 8: Part 1 – Communication for REPowerEU chapter implementation - SCALE UP measure SK-C[C16]-I[I4] | Target | Number of communication campaigns |
|  |  | Instalment Amount | EUR 579 000 009 |

SECTION 3: ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

1. Arrangements for monitoring and implementation of the recovery and resilience plan

The monitoring and implementation of the recovery and resilience plan of Slovakia shall take place in accordance with the following arrangements:

In order to ensure well-defined tasks, competences and powers, the Slovak Republic has adopted a specific Act on the Recovery and Resilience Facility and amended certain acts (“RRF Act”). The Act governs, inter alia, the selection of final recipient, the responsibilities of the involved parties, how financial corrections are to be carried out and irregularities are dealt with, conflict of interests and the processing of personal data. It also introduces measures to protect the financial interests of the European Union at the level of each entity involved in the implementation. It regulates the monitoring of the achievement of milestones and targets and the system of data collection covering beneficial owners.

The National Implementation and Coordination Authority (NIKA) is the one stop shop for implementation of the Slovak recovery and resilience plan. It coordinates and guides the implementation and conducts checks on implementing bodies, intermediaries and final recipients. It is responsible for monitoring and assessing the implementation of the plan and the achievement of milestones and targets, as well as providing the Commission with the collected data on request.

2. Arrangements for providing full access by the Commission to the underlying data

The National Implementation and Coordination Authority (NIKA), as the central coordinating body for Slovakia’s recovery and resilience plan and its implementation, is responsible for overall coordination and monitoring of the plan. In particular, it acts as a coordinating body for monitoring progress on milestones and targets, for monitoring and, where appropriate, implementing control and audit activities, and for submitting the requests for payments to the Commission. It coordinates the reporting of milestones and targets, relevant indicators, but also qualitative financial information and other data, such as on final recipients. For these purposes a repository system for monitoring the implementation of the Facility is in place and operational, which shall be gradually replaced by the IT system called ISPO.

In accordance with Article 24(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, upon completion of the relevant agreed milestones and targets in Section 2.1 of this Annex, Slovakia shall submit to the Commission a duly justified request for payment of the financial contribution. Slovakia shall ensure that, upon request, the Commission has full access to the underlying relevant data that supports the due justification of the request for payment, both for the assessment of the request for payment in accordance with Article 24(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 and for audit and control purposes.

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