Slovakia cuts funding for castle restoration programme

The Slovak Ministry of Culture reduced the budget for the heritage‑restoration scheme "Obnovme si svoj dom". In 2023 the programme received €14.7 million, supporting 545 projects across the country. For 2024 the allocation was cut to €9 million and is expected to fall further to €8.2 million, halving the number of funded projects. The timing of grant decisions has also been delayed, with award contracts now issued later in the year.

The cuts affect numerous historic sites, including the Spišský hrad, a major medieval castle in eastern Slovakia. Opposition parties and volunteer heritage groups have criticised the reductions, arguing they jeopardise ongoing conservation work that has relied on state support since the early 2000s.