Call for the promotion of biodiversity in protected areas
On 13 February 2025, the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic (MIRRI SR) announced a call for projects entitled “Strengthening biodiversity in protected areas” (BIO02). This initiative is part of the Swiss-Slovak cooperation program and aims to support projects aimed at protecting ecosystems and biodiversity in protected areas and their surroundings in Slovakia.
Objectives of the call
The main objective of the call is to preserve biodiversity through the protection, management and restoration of species, habitats and ecological processes, taking into account climate change mitigation and adaptation. Projects should include activities such as habitat improvement, the application of close-to-nature management, educational and awareness-raising initiatives in the field of environmental protection, and other measures contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystems.
Eligible applicants and partners
Eligible applicants are organisations operating in Slovakia in the field of environmental protection, such as national, regional and local administrations (including associations and cities), universities, academies, schools and non-governmental or non-profit organisations. The applicant must prove its activity in the field of environmental protection for at least the last year before the announcement of the call. The Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic and the National Parks Administration of the Slovak Republic are not eligible applicants, but national park administrations can be partners in projects.
Eligible partners of the applicant can be organizations established as legal entities either in Switzerland or Slovakia, as well as international organizations actively involved and effectively contributing to the implementation of projects. The involvement of the Swiss partner in the implementation of the project is positively perceived and may be favored with extra points in the evaluation of the project.
Financial terms
The minimum amount of the requested project grant is EUR 200,000, the maximum is EUR 500,000. The total allocation for this call is EUR 3,150,000. 5% co-financing by the applicant is required.
Eligible territories
Activities can be carried out in protected areas, with the exception of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region. For the purposes of this call, protected areas are considered to be the territories of national parks and their protection zones and the territories of protected landscape areas.
Deadlines and submission of applications
The call was launched on 13 February 2025 and the closing date for submission of applications is 2 June 2025. Applicants must submit mandatory annexes, such as documents proving the applicant’s environmental activities, a declaration of partnership, property title deeds, where relevant, and documents proving consultation with the local community.
This call represents an important opportunity for environmental organizations to contribute to the strengthening of biodiversity in protected areas in Slovakia.
For more information on the call: https://swiss-contribution.sk/?page_id=152
