This case study examines the role of the European Social Fund (ESF) in promoting social innovation and the social economy in the Slovak Republic through the Human Resources Operational Programme (2014–2020). With an allocation of EUR 121 million, the programme supported projects targeting youth unemployment, social exclusion, and the integration of marginalised Roma communities. Key initiatives included youth job centres, self-employment training programmes, and an innovative social housing system that combined transitional and long-term models. The programme aimed to foster systemic solutions aligned with national reforms and the Europe 2020 strategy. Despite challenges such as administrative burdens and the lack of a unified definition of social innovation, the ESF facilitated partnerships among municipalities, NGOs, and public authorities. Overall, the initiative made a significant contribution to employment, social inclusion, and capacity building for registered social enterprises under Act 112/2018.
Human Resources Operational Programme in the Slovak Republic
Abstract
In the Slovak Republic, the social economy consists of activities that operate independently of government authorities. The sector is regulated by Act 112/2018 on Social Economy and Social Enterprises, which encourages the development of registered social enterprises. In 2022, there were 540 registered social enterprises, providing a total of 6 149 jobs. Among these jobs, 4 236 were specifically aimed at supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups such as young people and the Roma community. Many of these entities prioritise sustainable development and work towards reducing socio-economic disparities (OECD, 2023[1]).
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family oversees social enterprise development. This is supported by the Institute of Social Economy, a large-scale initiative funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) which provides technical assistance to social enterprises. The Law on Public Procurement (343/2015) encourages the use of social and environmental criteria and promotes inclusive practices (OECD, 2023[1]). These frameworks position the Slovak Republic as a case of policy making for social innovation, emphasising experimentation and the development of systemic solutions to social challenges.
The Slovak Republic received EUR 3.4 billion in ESF funding between 2014 and 2020 – including both EU and national co-financing – representing 16.9% of its European Structural and Investment Funds (European Commission, 2025[2]). The initiative focused on four areas: (1) sustainable and quality employment, (2) social inclusion, (3) crisis recovery and resilience, and (4) educational and vocational training. A portion of the Fund, amounting to EUR 121 million, supported the Human Resources Operational Programme, which is divided into five priority axes: education, youth employment, employment, social inclusion, and the integration of marginalised Roma communities.
ESF+ is managed at the national level by the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development, and Digitalisation. The national Competence Centre, TENENET OZ, provides support for this management. Although there are no regional Managing Authorities or specific regional programmes, several national stakeholders are involved in the implementation of ESF+. These stakeholders include the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family; the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport; as well as the Ministry of Transport and Construction (see Figure 1).
Source: Authors’ own elaboration based on information provided by the Slovak Republic.
The Human Resources Operational Programme addressed labour market integration and social inclusion, mainly focusing on young socially marginalised and unemployed individuals (European Commission, 2023[3]). The project aimed to introduce social innovation solutions to address, in particular, inequality and low quality of life (Octigon; Projektové služby; RADELA, 2020[4]). It focused on promoting investments in human capital and creating sustainable, quality employment along an innovative housing system. The objectives of the programme were aligned with the National Reform Programme of the Slovak Republic and Europe 2020 Strategy.
The project introduced many innovative solutions to address unemployment and social exclusion. These included youth job guarantee centres operated by volunteers and the establishment of a social housing system. Additionally, the project included self-employment programmes, where young people received training in business development. The collaborations formed among various stakeholders involved in the project's development are also part of the innovative aspects (Octigon; Projektové služby; RADELA, 2020[4]).
While the Slovak Republic promotes social innovation, it does not have an official definition of it. As a result, the initial stage of the project faced constraints and delays related to project eligibility and identification. Social innovation was intended to be a cross-cutting theme across all priority areas; however, its integration was incomplete, with only some elements of social innovation incorporated into the activities. Furthermore, the application process for various programmes was burdensome, creating entry barriers for some beneficiaries. Lastly, the strict definition of call conditions reduced participation and stakeholder engagement (Octigon; Projektové služby; RADELA, 2020[4]).
The overall results of the project were positive and provided socially innovative initiatives. During the 2014-20 programming period, the Human Resources Operational programme supported 2 473 projects (European Commission, 2025[5]). Results were overall positive, notably in the area of youth unemployment (Octigon; Projektové služby; RADELA, 2020[4]). Funds also facilitated stakeholder collaboration, including municipalities and NGOs, promoting equity and addressing systemic disparities in employment and social inclusion.
Additionally, the project supported initiatives around social housing. This system combines elements of social and transitional housing, with the goal of developing a multi-tiered rental housing model. Residents progress through different levels of housing, starting from basic accommodation and moving towards independent homeownership. The level of innovation could be further outlined in the next evaluation programme using measurable indicators, along with a reduction in administrative steps (Octigon; Projektové služby; RADELA, 2020[4]).
References
[2] European Commission (2025), “Cohesion Open Data Platform - Slovakia”, https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/countries/SK/14-20 (accessed on 17 January 2025).
[5] European Commission (2025), Kohesio: Discover projects in your region - Slovak Republic, https://kohesio.ec.europa.eu/en/?country=Slovakia&fund=ESF---European-Social-Fund&programme=2014SK05M0OP001---Human-Resources---SK---ESF%2FERDF%2FYEI&interreg=Investment-in-Growth-and-Jobs.
[3] European Commission (2023), Operational Programme Human Resources, https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/in-your-country/programmes/2014-2020/sk/2014sk05m0op001_en#:~:text=The%20Slovakian%20Operational%20Programme%20%22Human,of%20which%20EUR%202.205%20billion.
[4] Octigon; Projektové služby; RADELA (2020), External evaluation of the Human Resources Operational Programe for the 2014-2020 programming period implemented within the project: Technical assistance of OP HR for MPVSR SR 2019-2023.
[1] OECD (2023), “Country Fact Sheet: Slovak Republic”, https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-sub-issues/social-economy-and-social-innovation/country-fact-sheets/country-fact-sheet-slovakrepublic.pdf (accessed on 17 January 2025).
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