Thanks to the collaboration between the Slovak Organization for Research and Development Activities (SOVVA) and the Žijem vedu platform, the VEDA ODPOVEDÁ project was successfully completed. Throughout the project, we have been encouraged to create a space for scientific discussion in Slovakia about systematic changes that could improve conditions for scientific advancement. As a part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, we also sought to implement a participatory approach to developing public policies. The project analysis focused on further development and adaptation of society to the effects of the pandemic. By involving researchers and innovators from different fields, we identified the main challenges and changes affecting the post-pandemic development in society, the economy and everyday life. Subsequently, recommendations for reforms and policies in the given areas were formulated and sent to the relevant public authorities.

The activities meeting the target consisted of the creation of a detailed methodology of project activities, interviews with the experts and researchers in selected fields, surveys for scientists and innovators, identification of critical areas for discussion panels, the creation of expert groups, recommendations of experts for key areas and final conference with the presentation of the outcomes and implications, which took place on May 25, 2023.

The Project "Slovakia after Covid-19. How will the pandemic change our lives?" T2-2021-021 was supported by the ACF - Slovakia program, financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021. The program's administrator was the Ekopolis Foundation in partnership with the Open Society Foundation and the Carpathian Foundation.