New project promotes mental health of migrant children
A new European initiative, REACHMIND (Refugee, Education, and Children’s Mental Health in Development), is being implemented in Slovakia from January 2025 to December 2026. Its primary goal is to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for children belonging to migrant and ethnic minority groups, including those who are refugees. The project empowers children to navigate challenges including discrimination and bullying, while equipping teachers and parents with the tools to better understand mental health and foster intercultural competencies.
Led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the project brings together partners from 4 countries: Mareena (Slovakia), Menedék – Migránsokat Segítő Egyesület (Hungary), Ośrodek Rozwoju Edukacji (Poland), and Národní ústav duševního zdraví (Czechia).
2025 Integration Forum focuses on protection of children from Ukraine and the new migration and asylum pact
Taking place annually since 2014, Slovakia’s Integration Forum – organised by the Human Rights League (Liga za ľudské práva) – is a crucial platform for dialogue on migration, asylum, and integration policy. It brings together a wide range of stakeholders – government representatives, local authorities, civil society actors from Slovakia and abroad, international organisations, and members of diverse communities – to address emerging and urgent challenges in the field of integration.
The 2025 event was held on 26 May around the central theme of ‘connecting the unconnected’. Discussion topics included the protection of children from Ukraine, implications of the new EU Pact on migration and asylum. A full recording of the event is available online, along with speaker lists, photos, and reports from previous annual events.
Changes to accommodation allowance regulations for displaced people
The length of time for which accommodation providers in Slovakia can request state support for housing people displaced from Ukraine was reduced from 120 to 60 days. The size of the daily allowance remains unchanged, and the reduction will not apply to housing for designated vulnerable groups. This measure aligns with the latest amendment to the national asylum act, and constitutes an effort to encourage the faster social and labour market integration of displaced people living in Slovakia.
CVEK publishes 2 reports on policies for young migrants and refugees
The Centre for the Research of Ethnicity and Culture (CVEK) published a report comparing integration policies for young migrants and refugees in Norway and Slovakia, highlighting best practices and challenges in both countries. The document identifies key obstacles that young migrants face in Slovakia, presents proven solutions from Norway that could be adapted to the Slovakian context – such as provision of systematic support for migrant education and enhancement of coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, and highlights the need for a holistic approach that combines education, employment, social inclusion, and mental health support.
A second recently published report from CVEK shares recommendations for policy strategies to support young people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those belonging to refugee and other migrant groups. The policies suggest focusing on ensuring equal access to services (education, employment, community spaces), promoting social cohesion and recognising the needs of diverse communities.
IOM recommends skills mobility partnerships
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) published an analysis of foreign labour flows and their impact on the Slovak labour market. The report was published as part of the Migration Information Center to Support Labour Mobility and Integration of Migrants project and aims to identify countries with which Slovakia could develop bilateral or multilateral partnerships focused on skills mobility. These partnerships would address labour shortages and support skills development and sustainable migration based on the principle of mutual benefit for the country of origin, the country of destination and the migrant workers themselves.
Priority Action Plan summary: strengthening the inclusion of temporary protection holders
An executive summary of the Priority Action Plan – Strengthening the inclusion of temporary protection holders and foreigners in the Slovak Republic has been made available online. The plan is part of an EU-funded technical support project designed to improve the inclusion of displaced people (particularly those from Ukraine) and other foreigners in Slovakia. It identifies 7 key priority areas essential for ensuring inclusive conditions for refugees and other foreigners living in Slovakia, emphasising the need for strengthened institutional capacity, legislative reforms and inter-agency cooperation to address existing gaps. It also outlines actionable recommendations for both immediate and longer-term improvements.
Supreme Audit Office publishes assessment of national integration policy
A recent report by the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic (SOU) critically examines the effectiveness of Slovakia’s migrant integration policy from 2021 to 2023. The audit focuses on how well public institutions manage the integration of migrants, particularly in response to increasing demographic and labour market challenges, and recommends a comprehensive redefinition of Slovakia’s integration policy. This would include establishing clear long-term goals, improved governance and coordination mechanisms, robust data collection and evaluation tools, and the active involvement of all relevant actors.
Strengthening the inclusion of refugees and foreigners
A summary report of the national technical support project Strengthening Coordination in the Inclusion of TCNs in the Slovak Republic was published, designed for the Migration Office of the Ministry of Interior and other actors engaged in integration efforts. The report shares comprehensive insights into the current state of inclusion for migrants in Slovakia, outlines key challenges and formulates recommendations for strengthening existing systems.
The now-concluded project was implemented by IOM in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European Commission. Its purpose was to support the Migration Office of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic in enhancing the inclusion of foreigners in Slovakia, with specific focus on displaced persons from Ukraine.
