Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and its largest agglomeration – with 660 000 people, i.e. 12% of the Slovak population living in the metropolitan area. It is the political, cultural and academic centre of the country, driver of the Slovak economy and leader in innovation, sustainable development and social inclusion.

Thanks to its position on the border of three countries, its historical ties as well as recent initiatives, Bratislava has a strong position in the wider Central European region. In 2019, the Mayors of Prague, Budapest, Warsaw and Bratislava signed the Free Cities Pact committing to promote common values of democracy, share best practice in urban policies and advocate for tailor-made solutions for cities in EU policies. Bratislava’s competence in the protection and care for the environment derives from Act No. 369/1990 Coll.

On Municipalities And Act No. 377/199 Coll on the Capital City of the Slovak Republic Bratislava. The programme statement of the current Mayor and the City Council sets out clear commitments in energy efficiency (e.g. through energy audits), resilience to climate change (through green and blue adaptation measures), city greenery and forest management (through better care, increased tree planting, zonation of municipal forests), waste management (e.g. through better recycling and awareness raising) and air quality, among others. Bratislava acceded to the Covenant of Mayors (2012) initiative and adopted ensuing strategies and plans.

The City will manage the project through its Municipality Office, which is the executive body of the City Council and the Mayor. The Environment Department and the Department of External Funding have extensive experience in the development and management of EU-funded projects, including large investment projects, international cooperation projects (Horizon 2020) and projects under European Territorial Cooperation programmes, such as Interreg SK-AT and Interreg Central Europe.