European Commission
en English en

New community centre in Klenovec, Slovakia provides social services

  • 23 July 2020

With the help of EU funds, a building in the municipality of Klenovec, in central Slovakia, was reconstructed as a community centre that provides social services to the village’s socially disadvantaged residents.

Social intervention is implemented directly in the community, with an emphasis on providing comprehensive services to residents of all ages. The community centre will promote social inclusion, increase awareness and employability of the target group.

Ing. Dávid Bodnár, Manager for information and communication, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic

The centre is in the middle of the village, on the south-east side, near the Rimava river. It serves as a space for community development and provides services for the town’s socially disadvantaged residents, the local Romani in particular. It is intended to be used to organise activities that include everyone, without discrimination.

The overall aim of EU-funded projects like these is to promote the Roma’s inclusion in the economic, social and cultural life of the municipality and region.

Improving accessibility

The existing building was reconstructed and repainted. It now has a slightly elevated ground floor with a gabled roof and a partially submerged basement. To improve accessibility, a ramp with railings leads from street level to the building’s entrance. Tables, chairs, cupboards and computers were purchased.

The renovation has improved the building’s environmental footprint. It will produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and consume less energy.

The municipality of Klenovec is in the Banská Bystrica region of central Slovakia.

Total investment and EU funding

Total investment for the project “Community Centre in Klenovec” is EUR 108 446, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 92 179 through the “Human Resources” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Technical facilities in municipalities with high share of marginalised Roma communities”.