Integrated Water Governance in Slovakia

Slovakia stands at a critical juncture as climate change exposes the nation to increasing droughts, floods, and reduced agricultural productivity, while ecosystem degradation accelerates. Despite a strategic Water Policy Concept, governance remains highly fragmented with responsibilities split between Environment and Agriculture Ministries, limited coordination mechanisms, inconsistent data scattered across agencies, and complex legal frameworks that are difficult to enforce. This RETOUCH NEXUS policy brief proposes an integrated roadmap for transformation, calling for coordinated approaches that link water management with agriculture, environmental protection, and spatial planning at national, regional, and local levels through the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus framework.

Fragmentation undermines effective management: Water governance is split across ministries and management stages with limited coordination, outdated and scattered data, complex legal frameworks, and implementation gaps. The Action Plan “Water is the Value” lacks timelines and funding, while water use fees don’t reflect true environmental costs.

Multi-level coordination is essential: Success requires action at national level (comprehensive multi-sector strategy, streamlined authorities, unified data platform), regional level (river basin-based planning, strengthened stakeholder communication), and local level (enhanced participatory decision-making, regular dialogue among nexus actors).

Economic instruments drive efficient allocation: Water pricing reflecting environmental and economic value, subsidies for water retention and regenerative agriculture, tiered tariffs reflecting scarcity, and tradable permits can incentivize sustainable practices while generating revenue for system improvements.

River basin planning integrates landscape management: Adopting watershed and river basin units as primary frameworks for integrated water and land use planning facilitates ecosystem-based management and enables effective cross-sector coordination at appropriate scales.

Participatory governance builds legitimacy: Moving beyond consultation to genuine co-decision through institutionalized water councils and adaptive management cycles strengthens stakeholder engagement, ensures diverse voices shape policy, and improves implementation and compliance.