We have established a stable institutional framework for policy coordination in the area of cooperation between state administration bodies and NGOs, said the Minister of Public Administration, Suzana Pribilovic, at the closing conference.
At the conference are presented the results of the implementation of the Strategy for Improving the Enabling Environment for NGOs 2018-2020 in relation for improving the legal and institutional framework for NGOs and strengthening the cooperation of public administration and NGOs in the process of creating and implementing public policies, enhancing the financial sustainability of NGOs, their participation in social -economic development and the role of NGOs in Montenegro’s EU accession process.
‘’The tasks of registration of NGO, adoption and monitoring of regulations pertaining to the work of NGOs and their cooperation with state institutions have been ensured at the Ministry of Public Administration and the Council for Cooperation between State Administration Bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations has been formed. The environment for operation of NGOs has been improved in legal, institutional and financial terms. However, we still have a number of activities that need to be implemented in order to improve the situation first, in relation to the role of NGOs in social -economic development” said Minister of Public Administration, Suzana Pribilovic, at the conference “Technical Support to the Development of Institutional Cooperation Mechanisms of Government and NGOs in Montenegro.’’
The overall aim of the project is to support the establishment and development of a joint platform between the government and non-governmental organizations to facilitate more intensive, dynamic, transparent and mutually beneficial cooperation between public administration and non-governmental organizations in Montenegro – informed from the Ministry of Public Administration.
In both years, 2018 and 2019, over € 4.4 million was earmarked solely for this legal basis for NGOs projects / programs from the state budget. Co-financing projects supported by EU funds is another practice that we are very proud of ” Pribilovic noted.
“The EU Delegation has been able to move things in a better direction with its support given in this area, and special thanks to Igor Vidacak and the team which managing the technical support project assistance, shared knowledge and experience and commitment to our mission and intent to enhance cooperation between sectors and strengthen our capacities” Pribilovic said.
She emphasized that not only through co-financing but also through other forms of cooperation, the Ministry will, above all, continue to respond to the needs of non-governmental organizations, actually the needs of certain groups and the entire society.
The Head of the EU Delegation for Cooperation in Montenegro, Herman Spitz, said that the project is being completed today was technical assistance, with a total amount of EUR 700,000, and it is the largest project funded by the Civil Society Fund (CSF), which is the most important source of funding for civil society in Montenegro.
“The goal of this project is to develop and nurture government-civil society collaboration,” Spitz said.
He estimated that in recent years the EU has established good cooperation with civil society organizations in Montenegro. One of the EU’s priorities is helping to develop civil society and strengthen its role in a democratic society. This is reflected in the continuous increase in the financial framework for civil society IPA funds. He said the latest EU Progress Report confirms that the legal, institutional and financial environment in which civil society organizations operate has overall improved over the past few years. “I hope that the NGO Cooperation Council will further strengthen its service and visibility in monitoring the implementation of the development of the Government’s NGO Development Strategy, and that this will contribute to meaningful political dialogue between the Government and civil society,” Spitz concluded.
The EU Technical Assistance Project Manager, Igor Vidaček, thanked the Ministry of Public Administration team, the EU Delegation to Montenegro and civil society NGOs who supported the implementation of this project. “Reforms in the area of cooperation between the Government and non-governmental organizations in the creation and implementation of public policies are among the most complex reforms in the EU accession process, because they are going into change of management styles at all levels of state administration, but also seek changes in behavior and beliefs,” said Vidacek. He referred to key recommendations and lessons for further EU support activities in this area.
As part of the conference, a panel “Improving the Enabling Environment for NGOs in Montenegro – Current Status and Future Activities” was hosted by the member of the Ministry of Public Administration – Marija Jankovic, the Office for European Integration – Dragana Markovic, and CEDEM – Milena Besic, with the aim of exchanging experience in the past activities of non-governmental organizations and achieved cooperation between sectors, as well as defining recommendations for improving the normative framework and proposals for opening new types of cross-sectoral cooperation.
The results of the implementation of the Encouraging Environment Enhancement Strategy for NGOs 2018-2020 were presented at the conference. In regard to the improvement of the legal and institutional framework for the activities of NGOs and the strengthening of cooperation between public administration and NGOs in the process of creating and implementing public policies, increasing the financial sustainability of NGOs, the participation of NGOs in social-economic development and the role of NGOs in the process of Montenegro’s accession to the EU.