Investment Ministry Launches Calls to Boost Protection for Victims of Violence

Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - The Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry has announced two new calls for proposals under the Social Affairs programme aimed at strengthening the protection of victims of violence, with funding totalling more than €10 million, Investment Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) announced at a press conference on Wednesday, alongside Norwegian Ambassador Susan Eckey. According to Migal, the calls for proposals represent a specific step towards making the support system stronger, more accessible and better equipped to protect people who find themselves in extremely difficult situations. Both calls are funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The first call, with an allocation of €7.65 million and grant amounts ranging from €100,000 to €700,000, will support the expansion of a network of specialised services for women experiencing gender-based and domestic violence and their children. "We want high-quality support to be available regardless of where a person lives," emphasised Migal. The second call for proposals, with a budget of €2.5 million and grants ranging from €400,000 to €600,000, will support the setting up of the first centres for victims of sexual violence directly within urban hospitals, where people will receive medical, psychological, social, legal and forensic support under one roof without having to travel unnecessarily from one institution to another. "In my view, this is the essence of a modern public service today: that the state shouldn't send people from pillar to post at their most difficult moment, but should offer them a helping hand," noted Migal. According to the Norwegian ambassador, the calls for proposals represent a new milestone, with the shared goal of Slovakia and Norway being a commitment to ensure that women and girls can live with dignity and free from fear of violence. Under these calls for proposals, applicants will be able to apply to improve the situation faced by women, their living conditions and the support available to them. According to the ambassador, the programme is also intended to foster cooperation between Slovak and Norwegian experts, who will have the opportunity to share their experience. am/df