News

In the last week of June, the Slovak Environmental Agency organized a study trip to Copenhagen to showcase examples of good practice in the field of sustainable mobility and energy. The trip was intended for representatives of local governments, with the aim of demonstrating how measures can be implemented to improve air quality. Among the participants were also representatives of the LIFE IP – Improvement of Air Quality project.

From June 3 to 5, 2025, a multilateral workshop was held in Martin, organized by the LIFE IP – Air Quality Improvement project, with the participation of representatives from air quality projects in Hungary and Slovenia. The aim of the meeting was to share challenges, good practices, and proposals for potential collaboration.

On May 27, 2025, an initial working meeting took place at the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic with the aim of fostering interdepartmental cooperation in the field of air protection. The meeting of representatives of ministries, organizations representing municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders was opened by State Secretary Mr. Filip Kuffa. As a result of the discussions, which were also attended by State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic Mr. Jozef Smatana, working groups have been established. Their task will be to identify areas beyond the competencies of the environmental sector and seek solutions to improve air quality in the interest of public health and compliance with international commitments.

In early November 2024, an indicative measurement of air pollution caused by ultrafine particles (UFP – ultrafine particles) was carried out in locations in western and eastern Slovakia, focusing on major sources of air pollution. The aim was to determine to what extent industrial activity contributes to UFP air pollution in Slovak agglomerations – Bratislava and Košice. The measurements focused on industrial emissions were carried out within the activities of the Populair project in cooperation with the civic association CEPTA.

Personal car transport greatly pollutes the air we breathe. Whether students have a short or long commute to school, choosing the right means of transport can have a positive impact on their health and air quality. Students from the Sídlisko II Elementary School in Vranov nad Topľou have seen this for themselves.

During March 2025, 4 educational seminars were held - Methodological days for teachers of the 2nd level of primary and secondary schools, which were held in the premises of the Regional Government Offices, specifically in Košice, Trenčín, Žilina and an introductory meeting in the premises of the Slovak Environmental Agency (SAŽP) in Banská Bystrica. During the first four meetings, 75 participants attended the methodological days. Further meetings with teachers will be organized in the autumn of this year and also next year.

In connection with the Environmental Impact Assessment (SEA) process and the Air Protection Act, a public hearing was held on March 11, 2025 on the draft Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) for the Nitra Region zone and the Strategic Document Evaluation Report.

In the locations of Gemerská Poloma, Dobšiná, Kozelník, Banská Belá and Banská Štiavnica, informative measurements of air pollution by ultrafine dust particles (UFP) were carried out at the beginning of November 2024. The aim of the measurements was to determine the extent to which heating with solid fuels affects UFP air pollution in selected areas and cities of Slovakia. Measurements focused on household pollution were carried out as part of the Populair project activities in cooperation with the civic association CEPTA.

In connection with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, a public hearing was held on 12 February 2025 on the draft Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for the Banská Bystrica region (BBSK) and the Strategic Document Assessment Report.

From 7 to 12 November 2024, an informative measurement of air pollution by ultrafine particles (UFP – from the English “ultrafine particle”) was carried out in Sereď, Banská Bystrica, Čertovica, and Prešov. The aim of the measurements was to determine the extent to which road traffic affects UFP pollution in inhabited areas of Slovakia. Traffic-related pollution measurements were conducted as part of the Populair project in cooperation with the non-governmental organization CEPTA.