The European Union has allocated a total amount of EUR 4.250.000 to support different actions to empower civil society organisations in Montenegro and their participation in the EU integration process.
The aim of the supported actions is to reinforce inclusive civic participation in public policy processes, as well as to improve cooperation and dialogue between the civil society and the government.
Following two open calls for proposals and an international publication for tender, two grant contracts and a service contract were signed end of 2020 and will start implementation in 2021.
The Centre for Civic Education (CCE/CGO), with three partners, Frederich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Politikon Network and the Centre for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP), received a grant of approximately EUR 3.5 million for the project entitled “CSOs Montenegro – from basic services to policy shapers – M’BASE project”. Under this project, around EUR 2,750,000 will be distributed as sub-grants for CSO projects throughout Montenegro. The distribution of the sub-grants to local CSOs will be decided based on objective criteria laid down in a Call for Proposals, and overseen by a group of stakeholders which includes the EU Delegation.
The Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organisations (CRNVO) in partnership with two local NGOs NATURA and Montenegro Media Institute, received EUR 250,000 for the second phase of the EU Resource Centre for Civil Society Organizations. The main goal of the project is to improve capacities of CSOs and media to be proactive, responsive and effective actors in the society and to contribute to creating a favourable environment for the development of CSOs.
In addition, the EU has allocated EUR 500,000 for technical assistance to the Government. The funds will be used to support public authorities (mainly the Ministry of Public Administration) to improve the quality of their engagement with civil society organizations. The contract will be implemented by SOFREGO (Societe Francaise de Realisation, d’Etudes et de Conseil).
The funds have been provided by the Civil Society Facility (CSF) and Media Programme, under the Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) II.
