CVEK

Today’s young generation is coming of age in a climate of shifting certainties, acute social polarization, and the ubiquitous pull of digital platforms. This comprehensive review synthesizes and maps how research teams across Slovakia have examined youth radicalisation and extremism in recent years.

Bringing together previously fragmented findings, the study unpacks the underlying social and psychological roots that drive young people toward extremist ideologies:

Values, Well-Being, and Worldviews: How Slovak youth navigate life satisfaction, the growing epidemic of loneliness, their low trust in institutions, and their evolving—often fragile—attitudes toward democratic principles and social diversity.

Push and Pull Factors: What alienates young people from mainstream society and what draws them toward radical groups and authoritarian certainty—spanning troubled family dynamics and peer pressure to regional disparities, school climate, and a pervasive feeling of being dismissed by adults.

The Digital Frontier: The mechanisms of online radicalisation, shedding light on lesser-discussed dynamics such as recruitment through gaming channels and Discord, the rise of the misogynistic “manosphere,” the desensitizing effect of cynical meme culture, and the casual consumption of extreme violence (gore).

Providing an evidence-based foundation, this publication is designed as a vital resource for policymakers, local authorities, educators, and youth practitioners working to build meaningful, proactive prevention strategies across both the physical and digital spheres.

he study is part of the project ‘Youth and Radicalisation – Data and Experiences as a Foundation for Better Prevention‘, implemented with the support of the Orange Foundation.

This analysis is based on field research conducted in the Trnava Region by the Centre for the Research of Ethnicity and Culture between late 2025 and early 2026. It offers a comprehensive look at the specific circumstances, barriers, and challenges faced by young migrants and refugees in the region. Drawing on key findings across multiple aspects of their lives, the study highlights how highly vulnerable this group is—navigating far greater instability and fragility than their local peers.

Beyond identifying systemic obstacles and pressing issues, the analysis defines concrete needs to help break the cycle of isolation among young migrants. It is designed to serve as a roadmap for institutional reform, driven primarily by the upcoming “One-Stop Shop” model: low-threshold, culturally responsive points of contact that act as a proactive safety net for the successful integration of migrant youth.

The analysis was published as part of the project “Perspectives and Potential of Young Migrants – Developing an Inclusive Support System,” funded by the European Union through the Impact Lab programme of the Pontis Foundation.

This analysis provides a detailed mapping of how Bratislava and Nitra collect and leverage demographic data, placing a primary focus on populations with a migrant background. It highlights the serious legislative, technical, and staffing bottlenecks that prevent municipalities from capturing an accurate demographic picture and effectively planning capacities for schools, social services, and wider public infrastructure. The report contrasts Bratislava’s robust yet administratively fragmented data ecosystem with Nitra’s centralized, yet resource-constrained model.

The publication was developed under the project “Supporting Local Self-Governments in Improving Access to Quality and Inclusive Services for Children and Families from Refugee and Migrant Backgrounds: Shifting from Emergency Response to Long-Term Inclusion Strategies,” implemented in partnership with UNICEF and with financial support from the European Commission.

This policy brief delivers actionable recommendations and methodological guidelines for strategic integration planning at the municipal level. It addresses the steady growth of international populations in Slovak cities against the backdrop of a missing national integration framework.

Drawing on more than two years of hands-on experience designing local strategies in Bratislava, Nitra, Prešov, Košice, and Trnava, the document offers local governments a clear, practical guide. It outlines how to conduct baseline analyses, embed integration goals across broader municipal agendas (mainstreaming), communicate the topic transparently, and secure buy-in from both political leadership and the public. The publication also includes an in-depth case study showcasing Nitra’s successful strategy development process.

These recommendations were developed under the project “Supporting Local Self-Governments in Improving Access to Quality and Inclusive Services for Children and Families from Refugee and Migrant Backgrounds: Shifting from Emergency Response to Long-Term Inclusion Strategies,” implemented in partnership with UNICEF and with financial support from the European Commission.

Civic participation in public affairs, policymaking, and institutional reform is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Crucially, this requires ensuring that all segments of the population have an equal voice in decision-making. CVEK has long focused on the participation of vulnerable groups, viewing it as a vital driver of social cohesion. As part of ongoing efforts to help local authorities design more inclusive participatory processes, CVEK is developing a dedicated training methodology for municipal staff. Prior to drafting the manual, we conducted a preliminary exploratory study examining local government attitudes, practices, and real-world experiences in engaging minority and vulnerable communities.

This brief outlines key findings from the study—exploring how municipalities perceive participation, its perceived benefits and challenges, the actual opportunities available to vulnerable groups to shape decision-making, and the emerging needs in the field.

This research brief was produced under the project “A Voice for All: A Training Module for Municipalities to Foster the Participation of Vulnerable Groups,” co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.