The Office for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic announced a call for redistribution of 1.2 million euros. Finances will be provided in the form of subsidies for the processing of spatial planning documentation (UPD). Municipalities, cities and self-governing regions will be able to apply for support from January 15 to February 15, 2025, they can also do so electronically. The Office can reimburse successful applicants up to 80% of eligible costs.
The office has announced a call for subsidies for the processing of spatial planning documentation of municipalities for the third time. The goal of the subsidies is to help municipalities meet the requirements of the new Act on Spatial Planning (No. 200/2022 Coll.), which came into effect on April 1 of this year. In accordance with the legislation, each municipality must have a new spatial plan approved in digital form by March 31, 2032. Municipalities that do not yet have a spatial plan or their existing documentation does not comply with the new requirements are obliged to ensure its development.
If the municipality does not have a spatial plan after April 1, 2032, it will issue a statement in the process of permitting construction and activity, which will only have a recommendatory nature. “The creation of a spatial plan is a demanding process that also requires a financial contribution from municipalities and cities. Despite the fact that the territorial plan is one of the basic tools of self-government, thanks to which it can develop better, almost 40% of municipalities still do not have one. I am glad that we succeeded in doubling the funding, up to 1.2 million euros. I believe that thanks to this we will help a greater number of applicants. We are also preparing manuals on how to prepare to apply for our grants. We want to lend a helping hand to mayors and mayors so that they can better navigate the processes,” said Milan Valašík, chairman of the Office for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic.
Financial support for three types of spatial plans
The call refers to the financing of three types of land-use planning documentation, namely the draft municipal land-use plan, the zone land-use plan and, as of now, the micro-region land-use plan. It is this new type of documentation that enables effective planning for several municipalities with the same development needs. Therefore, for the first time, self-governing regions can also apply for subsidies for micro-region territorial plans, which procure them by agreement at the joint request of several municipalities.
“During the first two years, a total of almost 250 applicants applied for subsidies, 130 successful applications, and the office allocated roughly 610,000 euros in 2023, the same as in 2024. We announced the call this year as well, as we want to help municipalities, cities and higher territorial units. However, we will focus exclusively on new spatial plans, subsidies for changes and additions to spatial planning documentation will not be provided,“ summed up Ivan Zizič, vice president Office for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic.
Subsidies can also be applied for by those municipalities and cities that have already started the procurement of spatial plans, but did not have time to conclude them before the entry into force of the new law, i.e. after April 1, 2024. Municipalities that express an interest in converting existing plans into digital form may also be supported of the new legislation (pursuant to § 40 paragraph 6 of the new law), as well as those that have already started procurement of UPD in accordance with the new law.
Dates and amount of subsidies
From January 15 to February 15, 2025, municipalities, cities and self-governing regions can also submit subsidy applications electronically via the Portal for territorial planning (stavebnyurad.info) or the Central Public Administration Portal (slovensko.sk).
Up to 1,200,000 euros are allocated for financing subsidies, which is almost double the budget from the previous call. The Office then decides on the allocation of subsidies, while the maximum amount of the contribution can reach up to 80% of eligible costs.
Further information and detailed conditions of the call can be found at
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Office for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic was established on June 1, 2022, based on a decision of the Parliament. With effect from January 1, 2023, the Office is the central state administration body for territorial planning (except for ecological aspects), construction and expropriation. From the day of its establishment, it carries out all the activities necessary to ensure the proper operation of the office and the transfer of rights and obligations in the field of spatial planning, construction and expropriation according to the existing generally binding legal regulations from the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic to the office from January 1, 2023. Act on Territorial planning no. 200/2022 Coll. entered into force on 1 April 2024.
Source: www.nextech.sk
