With the help of the European Regional Development Fund, the municipality of Olejníkov, in north-east Slovakia, removed a large illegal waste site which was posing health risks to residents and polluting the environment.
Protecting the population and environment by removing illegal waste in Olejníkov, Slovakia
- 24 July 2020
The project has helped beautify and recultivate the municipal area and reduced the number of environmental burdens. It has improved the living conditions of the Romani on the outskirts of the town, and of the town’s inhabitants. It In this respect, it has contributed to the desegregation, deghettoisation and destigmatisation of the Roma community.
The site was near the town’s Roma community of 255 people. By remediating the landfill and restoring the area to its original state, the project eliminated a significant health risk. In doing so, living conditions in both the town and the Roma community improved.
Better living conditions
Once the waste was removed, municipal workers covered it with fresh soil and sowed clover grass to restore it to its former state. These workers regularly clean the area and mow the grass so residents can use it for leisure activities. In doing so, the municipality is contributing to sustainable development and providing a better quality of life for the Romani.
A healthier environment
Illegal landfills are a recurring issue in the Slovak Republic. They cause unpleasant smells and sights and pose health risks for the local population. Until recently, Olejníkov was one of the many Slovak municipalities facing these problems.
Landfills are also a pollution hazard. Rain can wash oils and other toxins into the soil and groundwater. In the case of Olejníkov, the nearby Ľutinka river was at risk of pollution. In addition, the municipality borders the bird sanctuary of the Čergov mountains and the Vlčia nature reserve, making the project’s cleaning efforts all the more relevant.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Waste collection yard in Olejníkov” is EUR 26 226,96, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 22 292,92 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”.