- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $60,000
- Grant Period July 1, 2003–June 30, 2006
- Location Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
- Geographic Focus Slovakia
About this grant
An estimated 80 percent of Slovakia is classified as rural and approximately 45 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Statistics show that, in comparison with cities, people living in rural areas have less access to information and a lower level of education and income. Despite this situation, long-term development plans do not recognize the rural character of the country or reflect the special needs that rural areas have. As Slovakia prepares to join the European Union (EU) with access to funds for development, this may mean that the differences between cities and rural areas will grow wider, with negative results.Multiyear funding will support efforts to promote fair and effective redistribution of public resources; prepare rural areas for EU accession and the effective use of EU funds; advocate for Slovak rural areas at the European level; and build a professional and sustainable infrastructure for rural development. The Slovak Rural Parliament was established in 2000 to support complex development projects at the local and regional levels; promote rural areas in both the local and national media; and prepare studies and other analytical documents to influence policy development.