On 19 March 2024, the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic (MoE SR), a partner in SELINA, hosted its first Community of Practice (CoP) meeting, building on the previous national Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) group. To maximise accessibility, the meeting was held both in person and online, attracting nearly 30 participants, including permanent representatives of the national MAES group and newly invited relevant stakeholders.

The meeting began with two presentations focused on the SELINA project, its objectives, and the concept behind the “Seeds of Change.” Following this, various projects and activities were introduced that have contributed to enhancing ecosystem services assessments in policy development and increasing environmental awareness.

Subsequent presentations showcased examples of “Seeds of Change” received from the questionnaire, with authors sharing their experiences and insights with the group. The final presentation addressed the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 691/2011, which introduces new environmental economic accounts modules. This was an opportune moment to familiarise a broader group of experts with the upcoming legislation and discuss the expected next steps.

In conclusion, the group agreed on the necessity of raising awareness about the role of ecosystem services and accounting in policy development, setting it as a priority. Strengthening the Community of Practice and seeking new partners active at the national level were identified as crucial steps toward achieving this goal.