The Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRVNO) held a training “Mechanisms of participation of non-governmental organizations in decision-making processes” from June 10th to 12th, 2020 at the Grand Hotel in Cetinje.
The lecturers at the training were the executive director of the Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations, Ana Novakovic Djurovic, and the representative of CRNVO, Zorana Markovic.
At the very beginning of the training, the participants first presented themselves, their organization, their mission, and then Novakovic presented the goal of the training.
“The goal of the training is, above all, to improve your knowledge and skills about different methods, techniques, tools and approaches in the participation of citizens and NGOs in the decision-making process at the local and national level, as well as advocacy processes. Then improve knowledge and skills on forms of cooperation between local self-government and the non-governmental sector, improve cooperation in solving common problems, enable you to apply knowledge in practice”, said Novakovic.
Participants then had the opportunity to give their views, what “civic participation” actually means to them, how they see and experience it from their point of view.
During the training, the reasons for the participation of NGOs and citizens in decision-making processes were discussed. Who can be actors of civic participation and how to be an active citizen?
Also, some of the principles of civic participation are singled out, such as: participation, trust, responsibility and visibility, independence. The participants were introduced to the difference between an initiative and a civic initiative. As part of the training, practical work on both days was included.
The training discussed the civil complaint, who can file it and in which case it is filed.
“Citizens, legal entities and other entities may file a civil complaint in case of: violation of the right to local self-government, if the Municipality does not provide protection and promotion of minority rights, then if the administrative body and public services do not ensure efficiency and legality of work, administrations and public services do not adhere to the code and standards of treatment of citizens, if local self-government bodies and public services do not ensure publicity and transparency of their work, bribery or corruption”, said Novakovic.
On the third day of the training, it was discussed why the active role of NGOs is actually important. They also talked about the forms of cooperation between local self-government and NGOs, which include: informing, consulting, participating in the work of working bodies, organizing joint meetings, financing NGO projects, providing working conditions, etc.
At the very end of the training, participants had the opportunity to express their views on the methodology of work, how much they actually managed to improve their knowledge during the training, express satisfaction with the participation and the desire to socialize again.