Bratislava Mayor's Climate Challenge

The Bratislava Mayor’s Climate Challenge is an open initiative that provides a platform for the city and businesses to work together on concrete actions to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Bratislava is determined not to face this challenge alone – it believes in the power of collaboration and shared responsibility on the path towards a sustainable future.

Since April 2024, the city has had its first Climate Plan and has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Achieving this goal will require significant and lasting change – across sectors, communities, and institutions.

The Climate Challenge was created with this in mind. Its aim is to foster long-term partnerships between the city and responsible businesses that want to help make Bratislava a healthier, more resilient, and climate-ready city.

The pilot year of the Challenge was launched in 2025 with the goal of engaging the first group of companies in reducing emissions. Ten companies joined the programme and are now contributing to greater energy efficiency in buildings, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable innovation in Bratislava.

Mayor Matúš Vallo continues to invite business leaders to take part in this collective effort – and calls on new participants to join the second year of the programme.

The 2025 pilot year of the challenge is opened for companies operating in Bratislava in two sectors:

• retailers, especially grocery stores,
• owners and managers of large office and retail buildings. In the coming years, we plan to open the challenge to other sectors.

Why should companies join?

• Become local leaders: Participating companies can show customers, employees and partners that they are making a real environmental impact in the communities they care about.
• Get communication support: The results that companies achieve within the challenge will be presented within the city's communication and at the final event to the speakers.
• Receive expert support: We offer tailor-made training with city experts or external consultants on energy and sustainability topics according to the needs of the participants.

How does it work?

Participants will join the challenge with one or more buildings, choosing two goals from the following areas for each operation.

Get involved

1. Check the terms of participation: Detailed terms of participation can be found below in the Climate Challenge Participant Guide.
2. Express preliminary interest: Contact the Climate Office, which will guide you through the application process.
3. Choose goals: Choose goals from the program areas and plan activities at the selected facility.
4. Confirm your commitment: Complete the application form and sign the memorandum of cooperation for the two years of the challenge.
5. Get involved: In addition to fulfilling the set goals, use training, consultations and communication activities as appropriate.
6. Monitor: Provide input and output data to measure progress.

The application for the 2025 pilot cohort was closed but we plan to open the challenge annually. If you couldn’t participate in 2025, please contact the Climate Office and we will inform you about the possibilities of participation in future years. A comprehensive list of conditions for participation in the program can be found in the Climate Challenge Participant Guide below (only Slovak version).

Challenge’s timeline

Participants are participating in two years of the challenge by submitting an application. During 2025, they will fulfill the goals of the first year and choose goals for 2026. During 2025, new participants will be able to apply for the second year of the challenge. You can find a detailed schedule of the pilot year in the downloadable documents below (only Slovak version).