Slovakia could draw over 1.5 billion euros from the EU’s Social Climate Fund

Trnava – The Slovak Republic could draw approximately 1.53 billion euros from the EU Social Climate Fund between 2026 and 2032. However, it is first necessary to adopt an EU directive concerning the new emissions trading system (ETS II) for buildings and road transport. The chairman of the Trnava self-governing region, Jozef Viskupič, highlighted the social dimension of the fund in the form of eliminating energy and transport “deserts”. This is reported by TASR.

This was stated to the media during the Cyklomestá Trnava 2025 conference by Jarmila Trenčanská from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy.

Approximately 65 billion euros is to be allocated in the fund over a seven-year period, which will be distributed among all EU member states. Trenčanská specified that Slovakia can draw 2.4 percent of the total allocation. The funds will be aimed at supporting vulnerable households, vulnerable transport users, or vulnerable micro-enterprises.

“These are groups of residents who will be affected by the introduction of emissions trading for the building and transport sectors,” she explained. According to her, for instance, public transport for residents living in dispersed settlements could be co-financed. “The funds won’t just go into transport, but can also go towards increasing energy efficiency of both public and residential buildings. Furthermore, they can go towards decarbonizing heating and cooling of buildings, public transport, information, and providing advice to people,” she outlined.

By the end of June 2025, it is necessary to develop a Social Climate Plan, which will determine the specific measures Slovakia will focus on. The first public consultation on the proposed plan will take place on Wednesday, February 19. “A broad discussion of all stakeholders, regional governments will be necessary,” Trenčanská noted.

The chairman of the Trnava self-governing region, Jozef Viskupič, highlighted the social dimension of the fund in the form of eliminating energy and transport “deserts”.

“Given that we have already introduced some programs in the area of energy and transport poverty, the Social Climate Fund is really coming in handy,” he said, noting that so far, local governments have little information about the parameters or method of implementing the fund’s resources. The mayor of Trnava, Peter Bročka, stated that the recovery plan is currently crucial for the city. (February 12)