Slovak municipal governance reform

Discussions regarding the reform and modernization of Slovak municipal governance have emerged through both legislative initiatives and calls from local government representatives.

The Slovak Ministry of Interior is developing new legislation to create a framework for inter-municipal cooperation. This initiative aims to assist small municipalities—many of which have fewer than 1,000 inhabitants—by allowing them to share specialized services such as accounting, urban planning, and environmental management through Shared Service Centers (CZS). A pilot project under the Recovery and Resilience Plan has already established 21 such centers serving approximately 520,000 residents.

Concurrently, the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS) has called for a modernization of the municipal competency system. Marking the 36th anniversary of the Law on Municipal Establishment, ZMOS noted that while the law restored autonomy, the scope of municipal responsibilities has expanded to include approximately 4,500 competencies across 44 areas. ZMOS President Jozef Božik emphasized the necessity of a clearer system to define task performance, responsibility, and funding sources amidst a complex web of legal regulations.