The Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers has received a grant from the European Commission for the international project Active Citizens Together for the Rule of Law and a Union of Freedoms in Europe. Thanks to this funding, we can carry out our communication and educational activities and better explain to the public why safe whistleblowing in the public interest is so important.
Whistleblowers play a key role in exposing corruption, abuse of power, and other legal violations. Without their courage, many illicit practices would remain hidden. That is why protecting whistleblowers is one of the fundamental prerequisites for a functioning rule of law.
More information, more courage to speak up
What most discourages Slovaks from reporting wrongdoing is the fear of retaliation, losing their job, or social pressure. This project allows us to work strategically to ensure that people know their rights, the protection the law provides, and where they can turn for support.
We focus particularly on raising awareness of:
- legislation on whistleblower protection,
- the rights and safeguards for whistleblowers,
- the harmful consequences of corruption and other legal violations,
- the importance of trust in institutions responsible for protecting whistleblowers and investigating illegal activities.
Collaboration at home and abroad
The project is implemented in partnership with the Stop Corruption Foundation as the main coordinator, along with the organizations Oživení, Prague Café and Transparency International Hungary. Collaboration with partners from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary allows us to share best practices and respond to similar challenges faced by whistleblowers in the region.
In these countries, corruption, disinformation, and weak protection for those reporting legal violations have long undermined public trust in the state.
The project includes activities such as:
- communication campaigns focused on safe reporting,
- public discussions and professional events,
- sharing whistleblowers’ stories and experiences,
- workshops and educational activities,
- digital engagement tools.
Our goal is to ensure that people do not stay silent when they witness wrongdoing and that they know there is an institution that stands by them.
Whistleblower protection is protection of democracy
Strong whistleblower protection means less room for corruption and legal violations, more accountability, and greater public trust in the state. That is why we consider this project both important and valuable.
It will run from January 2026 to December 2027 and is funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). We believe it will help make whistleblower protection in Slovakia not just a legal obligation but a truly functioning pillar of the rule of law.
Project No: 101253084
Programme: CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV
Type of action: CERV Lump Sum Grant
Project Duration
Duration: 24 months
Start date: January 2026
End date: December 2027
Funding
Maximum EU grant amount: EUR 380 435.00
Form of grant: Lump Sum
Granting authority: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
Project Coordinator
Nadácia Zastavme korupciu (NZK)
Staré Grunty 18
841 04 Bratislava
Slovakia
Project Partners (Beneficiaries)
Úrad na ochranu oznamovateľov (Whistleblower Protection Office – ÚOO/WPO), Bratislava, Slovakia
Transparency International Magyarország Alapítvány (TI Hungary), Budapest, Hungary
Oživení, z. s., Prague, Czech Republic
Pražská kavárna, z. s., Prague, Czech Republic
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 European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
