During the fourth government of Robert Fico, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Slovakia faced severe funding cuts, losing at least 16 million euros in public resources. This shocking discovery comes from an analysis conducted by the Platform for Democracy and the Open Society Foundation, highlighting that critical sectors such as culture, human rights, environmental issues, and development aid have been significantly affected. This financial decrease was deemed a conservative estimate by the authors, indicating the potentially profound impact on the NGO sector's sustainability and operational capacity.

The analysis revealed that NGOs in Slovakia traditionally rely on public funds ranging from 400 to 500 million euros annually, which constitutes around 50% of their total income. The director of the Open Society Foundation, Fedora Blaščák, noted that the funding crisis began immediately after the current governmental coalition was formed in October 2023. The coalition's leader, Prime Minister Robert Fico, announced a shift in policy aiming to reduce the influence and governance of NGOs in Slovakia, signifying a concerning trend for civil society organizations.

Blaščák further pointed out that the government's agenda has increasingly targeted NGOs, marking a significant political shift in the relationship between state and civil society. Following various unsuccessful legislative attempts to limit NGO operations under the so-called "Russian law," the government's ongoing attacks against these organizations signify a permanent alteration in Slovakia’s political landscape, raising alarms about democracy and citizen participation in the country.