AI SUMMARY – What you should know before reading
- Slovak authorities have launched a criminal investigation into public grant allocations.
- A government audit identified possible duplicate and multiple reimbursements of expenses.
- The investigation concerns the non-profit organization Project Fórum.
- An anti-corruption police unit is leading the case.
Slovak police have opened a criminal investigation into the use of public grants by the non-profit organization Project Fórum after a government audit raised concerns about possible financial irregularities. The audit was disclosed following a request by an anti-corruption watchdog, prompting authorities to examine whether public funds were used in accordance with grant regulations.
According to the findings, auditors identified dozens of invoices submitted over a three-year period that allegedly included identical or overlapping cost items reimbursed from different state institutions. These funds originated from multiple government bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture, and a public arts funding agency.
The investigation is being handled by a specialized anti-corruption unit based in eastern Slovakia. Authorities are examining whether the accounting practices could constitute subsidy fraud under Slovak law. Police officials have not yet confirmed whether formal charges have been filed, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and that the presumption of innocence applies.
Much of the scrutiny centers on expenses related to the Central European Forum, a recurring public event held in Bratislava. Auditors flagged payments for professional fees, interpretation services, audiovisual recordings, printed materials, and venue rentals. In several instances, the same services were allegedly billed multiple times to different funding programs.
The audit also highlighted concerns related to the pandemic period, when public events were subject to strict limitations. Despite reduced programming and the absence of international participants, grant applications reportedly reflected costs associated with full-scale events, raising questions about proportionality and compliance.
Project Fórum is led by Marta Šimečková, a public figure in Slovakia’s cultural sphere. While she is also known as the mother of opposition leader Michal Šimečka, investigators and watchdog groups stress that the case focuses solely on financial management and not on political activity.
Government officials have stated that they will await the outcome of the police investigation before taking further administrative action. Meanwhile, the case has reignited public debate in Slovakia about transparency, oversight, and accountability in the distribution of public funds to non-profit and cultural organizations.
Analysts note that similar cases across Europe have prompted governments to tighten audit procedures and require clearer reporting standards. The Slovak investigation is being closely watched as a potential test of the country’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer money.