This winter, residents of Košice can once again earn money by clearing snow. The city project “Adoptuj si chodník a zarábaj si” (“Adopt a Sidewalk and Earn Money”) is being launched for the sixth time: a fixed payment of 200 euros per season is offered for maintaining an assigned section of the sidewalk.
For the city, this is a way to save up to one million euros over the winter, and for you, it’s an opportunity to earn some extra income. Currently, there are still about 90 sections available for “adoption” throughout the city.
How it works and how much you can earn
The program is simple: you choose a specific section of sidewalk—usually near your home—and commit to keeping it clean throughout the winter.
Everything is coordinated through a mobile app. When the weather turns bad (it starts snowing or the roads become icy), you receive a notification. You then have four hours to clear your section.
- Reward: Participants in the project receive a fixed payment of 200 euros per season.
- Equipment: The city provides bags of grit (sand or salt). However, you must provide your own shovel, broom, and other tools.
- Sections: Typically, one section covers an area of about 50 m² and is up to 30 meters long.
Thanks to this system, the city responds much more quickly to inclement weather, as residents clear the sidewalk near their homes faster than municipal services can arrive.
Who Can Participate and How
Any resident of Košice who meets two requirements can participate in the project: you must be physically fit for this type of work and have no outstanding local tax or fee debts to the city. This is not considered a business, so this additional income does not require registration as a sole proprietorship.
To become a participant, follow these steps: 1️⃣ Download the app. The project operates through the Adaptie mobile app, available for iOS and Android. 2️⃣ Sign up. Create an account by entering your information. 3️⃣ Choose a spot. On the interactive map in the app, select one of the available sidewalk spaces. 4️⃣ Sign the agreement. Once the city approves your application, all that’s left is to sign the agreement.
City officials recommend choosing a spot as close to your home as possible—that way, you’ll be able to respond to notifications more quickly.
Liability for Injuries: What You Need to Know
One of the main questions is who will be liable if someone falls and gets injured on your sidewalk. Under Slovak law, the primary responsibility for sidewalk safety lies with the owner—that is, the city.
However, as lawyers explain, this does not completely absolve you of liability. If it is proven that you received a snowfall alert but failed to clear the section, and a person was injured as a result, the city may require you to compensate for the damages.
“The city will always be the responsible party. But if a property owner fails to fulfill their obligations—that is, fails to clear or salt the sidewalk—the city may shift liability and demand compensation for damages,” explained attorney Milan Ficek.
At the same time, each such case will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking all circumstances into account—for example, how much time has passed since the snowfall. The city is insured against such incidents, so the insurance company will pay the initial compensation to the victim.
