Why do some young people leave Slovakia — and why do others choose to stay? What really tips the balance: wages, education, quality of life, or something harder to measure, like a sense of perspective and the overall atmosphere of a country?

On 27 May 2026, CELSI Scientific Director and Professor of Economics Martin Kahanec took part in a discussion evening organised by Nadácia Pontis as part of the Impact Summit #nextgen programme, in partnership with The Spot and Future Founders, held at The Spot in Bratislava.

Martin opened the evening with a data-driven look at brain drain — its scale, its deeper causes, and what Slovakia can do at the level of the state, regions, cities, and schools to give young people a reason to build their future here.

He has long argued that Slovakia is not doing as badly as we tend to think, and that overly negative expectations risk becoming self-fulfilling. Ambition, he stresses, is not reserved for large centres — the future of a country is shaped wherever young people dare to ask questions, try new things, and work to improve their communities.

The discussion was joined by Martina Kolesárová, CEO of Nadácia Pontis, and Boris Podolák, CEO of The Spot, who brought practical experience from programmes supporting young people in Slovakia.

A second panel brought the voice of the next generation itself — young people from the Impact Summit #nextgen and Future Founders programmes, sharing what it means today to be ready for the future and what shapes the decision to stay, leave, or one day return.

A big thank you to Nadácia Pontis, The Spot, and Future Founders for creating this space for an honest and forward-looking conversation. 🙏

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