Prešov Region Ordered to Repay €1.5 Million in EU Funds Misused for Tatra Mountain Road Restoration

The Prešov self-governing region in northeastern Slovakia must repay €1.5 million in European Union structural funds following irregularities connected to the restoration of the Cesta slobody (Freedom Road), a scenic route running through the High Tatras mountain range. The repayment obligation was revealed through a published installment agreement, indicating that authorities have arranged a structured schedule for returning the funds rather than paying the full amount at once. Cesta slobody is a historically and touristically significant road stretching across the Tatra mountains, and its restoration was financed in part through EU cohesion funds intended to support regional infrastructure development. EU funding rules require strict compliance with procurement and implementation procedures, and failure to meet these standards can trigger mandatory repayment demands from managing authorities. The Prešov region, one of Slovakia's eight self-governing administrative units, now faces the financial burden of returning the funds, which could strain its regional budget and affect other planned projects.