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2008 ANNUAL REPORT
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In 2008 Foundation Open Society
Institute - Representative Office Montenegro (FOSI ROM) initiated,
supported and promoted programs and projects in partnership with a
number of NGOs, government institutions and individuals.
Total budget allocated for the
activities in 2008 was EUR 787,107.76. Out of the given amount, FOSI
ROM allocated EUR 632,897.23, while OSI network institutions from
Budapest, London and New York allocated EUR 154,210.53. |
EDUCATION
REFORM PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator: Maja Kovačević
Starting from the principles of
inclusion and equal access to quality education for all, ERP continued
to provide support to the education reform process in Montenegro in the
manner that contributed to its sustainability, quality and transparency.
ERP’s strategic goal was to assist a quality, accountable continuation
of the education reform process, with special emphasis on facilitating
the involvement of stakeholders in education issues and problems. Thus,
in 2008 special attention was paid - while keeping the traditional role
in providing support to teacher training and developing competent
institutions by means of various projects of direct importance for the
reform process - to strengthening the civil society role in the
education reform process by developing capacities and enabling
involvement of stakeholders, in particular young people with
disabilities, students and parents. A comprehensive evaluation of Civil
Education teaching and learning processes in elementary and secondary
schools constituted a particularly important segment of our activities.
The findings and recommendations generated by this project were
presented to the professional and general public in mid-December 2008,
as a significant contribution to a quality education reform process.
Total budget for Education Reform Program
activities was EUR 158,858.76.
1. Strengthening
institutional and human resources of NGOs / partners in the field of
education and key educational institutions: Bureau for Educational
Services (BES), Examination Center and schools
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Parent-School Cooperation -
Strengthening the Capacities of Montenegrin Parent’s Association and
Needs Analysis for School Parent Councils.
Applicant: Montenegrin
Parents’ Association. Budget:
EUR 18,035.92 (project
funded from the European Program) The project envisaged
strengthening of the capacities of the Association's team of
trainers to foster parents' active involvement in schools as of the
school year 2008/2009 and contribute to the quality of the
educational system. Two three-day basic seminars for five new
trainers were organized between April and late August 2008, as well
as a seminar for the entire team of ten trainers. In addition to
training, the project included printing leaflets and posters with
information on the role of parents in the life of a school and
identification of specific training needs of parents (in focus
groups)
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Workshop on Strategic Planning for a
Youth Magazine. Applicant:
NGO TNT. Budget: EUR 3,983.00.
NGO TNT, an organization consisting of young people and students who
used to publish "Student Tribune" and "Leviathan" magazines, aspired
to create a new magazine to inform and animate young people in
Montenegro and attract general audience. The project included a
workshop to define the concept and discourse of the new magazine,
discuss models of work and organization, assess options and identify
models of sustainability, explore opportunities for regional
cooperation, networking and expanding the pool of collaborators and
develop a work plan. During a four-day workshop, renowned experts
were assisting young journalists (14 of them from Mojkovac, Berane,
Kolašin, Nikšić, Petrovac, Bar and Podgorica) to design and organize
- showing an understanding of the essence and principles of media
work - a magazine that would rely on the principles of ethics,
quality and promotion of universal values.
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Development of Assessment Catalogues
for the First External Matura.
Applicant: Examination Center of Montenegro. Budget:
EUR 10,684.
In 2010, the national Examination Center will be organizing the
first external matura (final graduation exam) for students of
general-program secondary school applying the new curricula. For
this purpose, the Center will develop assessment catalogues; in
addition to the contents of the exam, the catalogues will present
information about exam organization, duration, grading methods,
sample items etc. Catalogues are developed by examination panels
consisting of representatives of the University, BES and
schoolteachers. The project included training of catalogue authors
and development of catalogues for Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Geography, French, Russian, German and Italian and two subjects from
the humanities group. Catalogues are to be completed at least one
year before the exam, to enable that both teachers and students are
informed about the aims, contents and format of matura exam in
respective courses.
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Development of General Subject
Curricula for VET Schools.
Applicant: BES. Budget: EUR
7,742.10. Different
curricula are currently available for a single subject in vocational
schools. BES intends to harmonize the standards and develop
curricula for general subjects taught in these schools. This is
necessary to define the knowledge required to pass the vocational
matura exam, to be introduced in 2010. The project refers to the
work of commissions on three key general subjects: Montenegrin as
mother tongue and official language, Albanian and Math.
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Development of Curricula for
Compulsory Elective Subjects and their Implementation as Matura
Standard Supplement.
Applicant: BES. Budget: EUR
14,596.00. The students of
general-program secondary school will take the external matura exam
in 2010. The exam will include two subjects selected by the
individual students. In order to take the exam in a particular
subject, a student needs to attend a certain number of lessons in
the given subject and subjects related to it, i.e. it is necessary
for the subject to fulfill the matura standard. In 2007, FOSI ROM
supported the
project to develop the curricula for compulsory subjects:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and IT. In order to
supplement the matura standard for these subjects, this new project
envisaged development of curricula for compulsory electives:
Biochemistry (Chemistry), Sociology of Culture (Sociology), Selected
Physics Chapters (Physics), Molecular Biology and Genetics
(Biology), Algorithms and Programming (IT). In addition, BES
undertakes activities to ensure timely information of students,
parents, teachers and schools about compulsory electives and to help
schools organize teaching of these subjects.
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Raising the Awareness on the
Importance and Sustainability of Physical Space by Training Teachers
to Apply New Elective Subjects (Valuing Space in elementary schools
and Exploring Space in general-program secondary schools).
Applicant: BES. Budget: EUR
12,925.00. The project
trained teachers to implement new elective subjects - Valuing Space
(in elementary) and Analyzing Space (in high school). Three
three-day seminars for a group of around sixty teachers were
delivered by BES trainers in the autumn of 2008. Materials for
teachers had been prepared within the project (CDs with instructions
on lessons, explaining teaching methods, handbook and workbook). The
project represents the first activity related to the implementation
of the
Action Plan to Introduce Sustainable Development in the Education
System, prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science in
2007, with
FOSI ROM support.
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Support to Introduction of Media
Literacy, a New Elective Subject - Participation of Montenegrin
Representatives (two teachers and six students from "Danilo Kiš"
General-Program Secondary School, Budva and General-Program
Secondary School, Kotor) in the Winter Multimedia Workshop/ Mobile
Reporters, Bečej, 9 - 15 December 2008.
In-house project. Budget: EUR
3,128.00. Media Education
Centar, Belgrade organized this international multimedia workshop
titled "What democracy means to me" in Becej, 10-14 December 2008.
Participants were high-school and university students and teachers
working on media literacy and media education. They prepared short
films, cartoons and TV, radio and Internet reports. The project
covers participation, travel and accommodation costs for eight
participants from Montenegro: groups of three high-school students
from Budva and Kotor attending the elective course on Media Literacy
and their two teachers.
2. Strengthening
an active role of NGOs, parents and students in the education reform
process
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Youth Camps: Students on School Life.
Applicant: NGO Forum MNE. Budget:
EUR 15,394.50.
The project included two one-week summer camps (for second- and
third-grade high school students and seventh and eighth-grade
elementary school students from Plužine, Rožaje, Nikšić and Cetinje).
NGO Office for the Protection of Student Rights and Student Standard
implemented, supported by FOSI ROM,
training for student associations in their schools in 2007.
Based on the experience with student associations, camp participants
developed ideas for further activism to contribute to creating
school that suits all students. Specific topics discussed during the
camps were: student activism, student rights and responsibilities,
inclusion of students with special needs in education, role of
students and others (teachers, parents) in creating school life.
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Research Camp: Physics Summer School.
Applicant: NGO Prona - Science Promotion Foundation.
Budget: EUR 7,481.50.
Research Camp - Physics Summer School gathered 30 students (grades
seven and eight of elementary school and all grades of high school)
who had achieved top scores in the national math and physics
competition. The camp took place at Ivanova Korita in the last week
of August. The project was designed to broaden participants’
knowledge in science and motivate them for a creative and
problem-oriented approach to learning and to foster their research
spirit. The aim was to inspire their interest for further active
involvement in core sciences. At the same time, the project
contributes to an awareness that would inspire a more creative
approach in education, especially sciences, and a more active role
of students in education reform process.
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Volunteer-Run Youth Club, Ulcinj.
Applicant: NGO Forum MNE. Budget:
EUR 5,465.
The project focused on development and implementation of the model
of volunteer-managed youth club in Ulcinj that would provide
continuous support to initiatives of young people from different
ethnic groups and their active social involvement. Youth leaders
from Tivat, Nikšić and Bijela first trained their colleagues from
Ulcinj, who then designed and carried out activities that met the
needs of young people from Ulcinj and at the same time contributed
to community development. Envisaged project duration: October 2008
-end of August 2009.
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Distribution of the Handbook on
Sexual and Reproductive Health and its translation to Albanian.
Applicant: NGO Safe House for Women. Budget:
EUR 12,280.80.
NGO Safe House for Women issued and presented to the public the
Handbook on Sexual and Reproductive Health. The next stage of the
project supported by FOSI ROM included translation of the
Handbook to Albanian and its distribution to high-school and
university students in all regions of the country.
The Handbook is intended for young
people as well as their teachers and parents.
BES approved organization of
promotional meetings and presentations in general-program secondary
schools and at university departments. The Handbook will be
distributed to school libraries and in camps inhabited by RAE
population.
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Distribution of the Publication
You are right! Guide through the law. And everything else.
Applicant: NGO Association for Democratic Prosperity Zid. Budget:
EUR 2,634. NGO ADP Zid
issued an amended edition of the publication
You are right! - Guide through the Law. And everything else.
intended for students of senior grades of secondary schools. 7,000
copies were printed. The new project included distribution of the
Guide in all secondary schools in the country by the end of the
school year 2007/2008, in order to make it available to all students
completing secondary school. FOSI-ROM covered the expenses related
to transport and distribution of the Guide.
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Democracy and Education.
Applicant: NGO Civitas Montenegro Center. Budget:
EUR 7,000.
The project included lectures and workshops on the basics of
democracy for fourth-year students of all departments at the Faculty
of Philosophy in Nikšić, delivered by Faculty staff. The seminar was
organized during March, April and May 2008. The aim of the project
was to acquaint future teachers of both lower and higher grades of
elementary school with the principles, contents and methods of civic
education.
3. Ensuring a
quality and transparent process of introducing reform tools in the
educational system
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Support to PISA 2009 (Program for
International Student Assessment).
Applicant: Examination Center of Montenegro. Budget:
EUR 14,675.05.
The project continued support to
PISA project in Montenegro. The OECD research
program assessing the capacity of 15-year old students to apply
the knowledge and skills acquired in school is conducted in a number
of countries every three years (the most recent one, conducted in
2006, included 56 countries). A new testing will follow in 2009. The
project addressed coordination of activities related to the
preparation and implementation of pilot testing planned for
April/May 2008. Pilot testing is a segment of the comprehensive set
of preparatory activities for the main testing.
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Preparation of Evaluation of Civil
Education in Elementary and Secondary Schools/ Consultative Meeting
of Experts Johanna Crighton, UK and Tomislav Reškovac, Croatia with
BES. In-house project.
Budget: EUR 4,043.18.
Civic education was introduced as a compulsory subject in elementary
schools in 2005, and as an elective high-school subject in 2006. In
2008 it was necessary to assess the teaching of these subjects and
define recommendations for improvement before the beginning of
school year 2008/2009. Evaluation was designed and conducted - in
cooperation with BES- by Johanna Crighton (UNESCO, OECD, OSI, UNICEF
and World Bank expert on assessing quality in education and
education of marginalized groups) and Tomislav Reškovac (education
expert, teacher at the Private Classics-Program Secondary School in
Zagreb, who had been involved in introducing civic education in the
Montenegrin educational system). The project includes preparation of
evaluation during a series of meetings the two experts had with BES
representatives and civic education teachers.
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Engagement of Johanna Crighton and
Tomislav Reškovac for the Purpose of Evaluation of Civil Education
in Elementary and Secondary Schools.
In-house project. Budget: EUR
8,157.32. The team for the
project
Evaluation of Teaching and Learning in Civil Education in Elementary
Schools and General-Program Secondary Schools included members
of the BES Civil Education Section and two international evaluation
experts - Johanna Crighton from the UK and Tomislav Reškovac from
Croatia. FOSI-ROM covered the expenses of international experts.
In April 2008, together with BES
representatives, they defined the key issues related to the project;
they visited the selected schools in May and in June they attended
focus groups of teachers and parents, processed the data and
developed the evaluation report. Involvement of international
evaluators was at the same time a form of training for BES advisers,
who acquired knowledge and develop tools for monitoring and
evaluation of teaching and learning civil education.
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Evaluation of Civil Education
Teaching and Learning Processes in Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Applicant: BES. Budget: EUR
7,796. The project
identified the successes, as well as problems and challenges in
teaching civil education. Civil Education was introduced as a
compulsory course in elementary schools in 2004/05 and as a
compulsory elective in general-program secondary schools in 2006/07
through projects supported by the Foundation.
Members of the evaluation team visited twelve elementary schools and
six secondary schools in May 2008, to gather information from civil
education teachers, students, school principals and parents. Based
on their findings, they defined guidelines for constant upgrading of
the quality of teaching and creation of an environment where
students would be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in
practice. Recommendations were presented to all relevant
stakeholders at the beginning of 2008/09 school year.
4. Support to
transparent management of the education reform process
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BES Professional Publications / Our
School Edition. Applicant:
BES. Budget: EUR 15,640.
BES professional publications are intended to facilitate
implementation of the new curricula. During 2008, BES issued
publications on the following topics: research in education; trainee
teachers and teaching science subjects. Subsequent publications
dealt with: learning methods; teaching language and literature in
nine-year elementary school; instructions to curriculum development
and implementation of contents on sustainable development;
supervision methodology; teaching humanities. Publications are used
during seminars on implementation of the new curricula. After the
Our School series, this project continued FOSI ROM's support to
practical professional publications for teachers.
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Booklet on Corruption for Secondary
School Students. Applicant:
Administration for Anti-Corruption Initiative. Budget:
EUR 2,300.
The Agency is already working on presenting the issue of corruption
and the fight against it to university students. The given project
was a part of the plan to implement similar activities in high
schools. In cooperation with BES, the concept of corruption was
presented so that it appealed to high school students. 625 copies
were issued for students of the following schools: "Slobodan
Škerović", Podgorica, "25. maj", Tuzi and "Petar I Petrović Njegoš",
Danilovgrad. The project covered the cost of translating the
brochure to Albanian and printing costs.
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Presentation of Findings and
Recommendations Generated by the Project Evaluation of Civil
Education Teaching and Learning Processes in Elementary and
Secondary Schools. In-house
project. Budget: EUR 1,090.50.
Experts Johanna Crighton and Tomislav Reškovac completed the
Evaluation of teaching civil education in elementary schools and
general-program secondary schools. Mr. Reškovac presented
the findings and recommendations to the professional and general
public at the "Slobodan škerović" General-Program Secondary School
on 12 December, 2008. The project covered the expenses related to
Mr. Reškovac’s visit and engagement. The findings should provide the
basis for defining guidelines for permanent upgrading of the course
quality and the overall functioning of schools.
FOSI ROM supported participation of
Montenegrin representatives in regional and global projects organized by
OSI New York and London: participation of
Tamara Krivokapić,
NGO Forum MNE, at the OSI New York Youth Conference held in Istanbul, 21
- 22 June 2008 (EUR 856. 51);
participation of Dijana Uljarević,
NGO Forum MNE, in the meeting held in Bucharest, 9 - 10 December, within
the regional project Improving Inclusion and Quality of Education in SEE
organized by ESP London and aimed to foster parent and student
participation in school life (EUR
986.30).
EUROPEAN PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator: Bego Begu
The strategic goal of the Program in 2008
was to strengthen the European idea in Montenegro and enhance the level
of information concerning EU institutions, standards and policies across
the society. Various seminars, courses, workshops and visits were
organized in order to accomplish that goal. Within the activities
focused on mobilizing the civil sector for more active participation in
the EU integration process, FOSI ROM supported development of a
situation analysis with recommendations concerning human and minority
rights, the Constitution, judiciary, equal access to education for Roma
and media in Montenegro. The aim was to present the situation and
facilitate monitoring of developments in the given areas to the European
Commission, which develops regular annual monitoring reports on
stabilization and association for Montenegro. Support was provided to
developing civil sector capacities for policy paper writing, civil
sector preparation for monitoring the EU integration process and to
public debates on issues related to the integration process. FOSI ROM
paid special attention to the issue of gender equality in the sense of
development of organizational capacities of women’s groups, campaign
against gender violence and strengthening the role of the civil sector
in education. FOSI ROM continued its support to improving cooperation
between the civil sector and public administration, as well as its
support to public information on the EU and the Stabilization and
Association Process. Program activities also included opinion polls,
review of legal practice concerning provision of legal aid in Montenegro
and mapping of the civil society segment concerned with youth.
Total budget allocated for European
Program activities in 2008 was EUR 219,219.46.
1. Presenting the EU structure and
standards and strenghtening the European idea in Montenegro
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School of European Integration, VII
Generation. Applicants: Center for Civic Education - CGO, Center
for Development of NGOs - CRNVO, European Movement in Montenegro -
EpuCG. Budget: EUR 27,249.69. The project continued the
unique program of alternative education that offers information from
the field of economics, European integration and the EU system for
human rights protection.
The School of European
Integration provides basic knowledge necessary to comprehend the
complex processes of European integration and specific aspects of
Montenegro’s accession to the EU. It also encourages participants to
implement the activities related to promoting and embedding European
standards in contemporary Montenegrin society. The following topics
were addressed: Europe - history of the concept; goals of European
integration; Europe through its institutions; EU legislation and
other regulations; economic principles of European integration;
European security and mechanisms for human rights protection; Europe
ahead and different experiences; Montenegro and the EU.
The seventh course took place from March to July 2008.
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School of European Integration,
VIII Generation. Applicants: Center for Civic Education - CGO,
Center for Development of NGOs - CRNVO, European Movement in
Montenegro - EpuCG. Budget: EUR 29,250.60.
The course for the eighth generation was organized from October 2008
to February 2009.
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Travelling to Europe 2008.
Applicant: European Movement in Montenegro. Budget: EUR 6,000.
The project provided inter-rail tickets, travel insurance, pocket
money and Schengen visas for 24 Montenegrin students to travel to
Berlin and then proceed to other EU countries of their choice,
between 19 July and 20 August 2008. Upon return, they worked as
volunteers in NGOs for one month and presented the experiences
related to this project. Participants were final-year students and
undergraduates with GPA higher than 8.5, selected in a competition,
who had not had the opportunity to travel abroad prior to the
program. The program started in
2007 as
part of a regional project for young people from SEE and is
implemented by the European Movement in Montenegro, with the support
of Foundation Open Society Institute, Robert Bosch Stiftung, German
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UK Embassy.
2. Mobilization and strengthening of
civil sector capacities for a stronger role in integration processes
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NGO Sector Input for the EC
Monitoring Report on the SAP. In-house project. Budget: EUR
3,706.53. The European Commission develops regular Monitoring
Reports on Stabilization and Association for Montenegro that address
the fields of human and minority rights, judiciary and interior
affairs, public administration, civil society, economy, sector
policies, media etc. Prior to this, Montenegrin NGO sector delivered
to the EC its elaboration of the situation in individual areas. FOSI-ROM
supported the analyses pertaining to the judiciary and human rights
developed by experts of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM),
Center for Human and Minority Rights (CHMR) and Human Rights Action
(HRA). The
paper was delivered to the EC via OSI-Brussels. The project also
included presentation of the given paper at the EC meeting in June
2008 in Brussels. FOSI-ROM supported Montenegrin NGO input for the
EC Monitoring Report on SAP in
2005,
2006 and
2007.
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Participation of Montenegrin
Representatives at the Conference "Giving a Stronger Voice to Civil
Society in EU Neighborhood: Developing Civil Dialog and Partnerships
between Civil Society, National Governments and EU Institutions".
In-house project. Budget: EUR 2,468.11. The project covered
the travel expenses of four representatives of Montenegrin NGO
sector attending the Conference held in Ljubljana on 2 April 2008.
The Conference aimed to indicate to the EU the need for developing a
strategy for sustainable development of civil society in the EU
neighbouring countries. It was attended by civil society
representatives from the Western Balkans, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova,
Belarus, Russia and the EU, as well as officials from EU
institutions and governments of EU member countries.
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European Debates. Applicant:
European Center in Montengro, NGO established by students of the
Faculty of State and European Studies. Budget: EUR 10,625.10.
European Center in Montenegro, an NGO created by undergraduate and
graduate students of the Faculty of State and European Studies,
organized debates on reforms in Montenegro and the process of
accession to the EU. The debates involved participants from
Montenegro and other countries, representatives of Embassies,
consulates and other international representative offices in
Montenegro, civil servants, representatives of courts,
municipalities, NGO sector, media, students etc. The debates took
place between May and December 2008.
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EU Matrix - Monitoring of
Montenegro’s European Integration with Emphasis on the
Implementation of the National Program for Integration, Preparatory
Stage. Applicant: European Movement in Montenegro together with
Monitoring Center - CEMI and Alternative Institute. Budget: EUR
6,453.90. [The project received EUR 4,000 from the Roma
Program, hence its total budget was EUR 10,453.90.]
National Program for Integration (NPI) contains the measures to be
implemented in order for Montenegro to meet the numerous
requirements on its course to attaining full membership in the EU.
Montenegrin civil sector has resources that may assist the
administration in monitoring NPI implementation and designing public
policies in the areas covered by the NPI. Through this project, the
European Movement in Montenegro, together with the Monitoring Center
- CEMI and the Alternative Institute, and with other NGOs involved,
consolidated the available civil sector resources and trained them
for performance of relevant tasks. Project implementation improved
the quality of European integration process by identifying and
addressing the shortcomings.
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Campaign 16 Days of Activism
against Gender Violence. In-house project. Budget: EUR
5,599.20. (implemented together with the Women’s Program). The
global 16 Days Campaign traditionally (as of 1991) takes place
between 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women, and 10 December, the International Human
Rights Day. In 2008 the campaign marked the 60th anniversary of
adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The campaign
in Montenegro was organized by international donors: UNDP, UNHCR,
OSCE and FOSI ROM together with 14 women's NGOs. FOSI ROM
contributed by taking part in campaign activities and development of
campaign material (leaflets, fliers, posters, T-shirts, billboards,
TV clip).
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Developing NGO Capacity for Policy
Paper Writing. In-house project. Budget: EUR 12,450.12.
The project aimed to train four trainers in policy paper writing,
who then trained representatives of Montenegrin NGOs in writing
effective policy papers. The project strived to enhance NGO capacity
to better articulate recommendations provided to policy makers and
to translate their vision into effective papers that would serve as
efficient tools for sustainable change.
FOSI-ROM organized this training event together with OSI Macedonia
and OSI Budapest Local Government & Public Service Reform Initiative
(LGI). The training was held in English; the project included
translation of training materials subsequently used by participants
in their training activities.
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Developing Organizational
Capacities of Women’s Groups and Women’s Movement in Montenegro.
Applicant: SOS Phone for Women and Children Victims of Domestic
Violence, Podgorica. Budget: EUR 8,589.90. [The project
received EUR 6,177.20 from the Women’s program, hence its total
budget was EUR 14,767.10.] The project included
organization of training for women members of NGOs for the purpose
of preparing projects eligible for EU funds. Two three-day trainings
were envisaged to be attended by 26 women activists. Training was
delivered by qualified trainers, with
FOSI ROM
support. During the training, participants drafted projects that
were subsequently amended and submitted for EU funding. The project
thus contributed to developing organizational capacities of women’s
groups and women’s movement in Montenegro and enabled their
participation, on equal terms, in EU competitions.
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Parent-School Cooperation:
Strengthening the Capacity of Montenegrin Parents’ Association and
Needs Analysis for School Parent Councils. Applicant:
Montenegrin Parents’ Association. Budget: EUR 18,035.92.
(implemented together with Education Reform Program). The project
envisaged strengthening of the capacities of the Association's team
of trainers to foster parents' active involvement in schools as of
school year 2008/2009 and contribute to the quality of the
educational system. Two three-day basic seminars for five new
trainers were organized between April and late August 2008, as well
as a seminar for the whole team of ten trainers. In addition to
training, the project included printing leaflets and posters with
information on the role of parents in the life of a school and
identification of specific training needs of parents (in focus
groups).
3. Cooperation between civil sector and
public administration
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Program for the Parliament.
Applicant: Center for Democratic Transition - CDT. Budget: EUR
12,000. Within this project, CDT organized student internships
at the Montenegrin Parliament, citizens' visits to the Parliament
(once or twice a month) and issued a newsletter on the work of the
Parliament. Ten students were selected for the internship in a
public competition. They assisted MPs and staff in the performance
of their regular activities and new tasks related to European
integration. At the same time, they enhanced their theoretical
academic knowledge and accessed a wider range of opportunities for
further professional and social involvement. Implementation of this
project upgrades the level of public information about official
institutions and enhances the transparency of work of the
Parliament, which in turn strengthens citizens' trust in
institutions. CDT has implemented these activities since 2007.
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Implementation of the Law on
Consumer Protection. Applicant: Center for Consumer Protection -
CEZAP. Budget: EUR 8,346. CEZAP motivates consumers to
recognize and defend their rights. The hotline and website provided
a tool to help consumers resolve problems and protect their rights,
as CEZAP offered consumers advice on how to solve problems, served
as a mediator between consumers and service providers and addressed
relevant inspections on behalf of consumers. The project envisaged
CEZAP’s efforts to get their representatives involved in the tariff
setting done by regulatory agencies and in the working groups for
development of laws or regulations related to the protection of
consumers’ rights. Implementation of this project helped improve the
position of consumers on the Montenegrin market, including raising
the awareness about consumers' rights and their protection.
4. Public information about the EU and
SAP, research and analyses
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Reporting on Montenegro’s European
Integration and Capacity Building for Adequate Reporting on the EU
Accession. Applicant: Center for Euro-Atlantic Policies. Budget:
EUR 13,803. Center for Euro-Atlantic Policies started a
website (www.ceap-montenegro.com)
and a special web-portal (www.evropskireporter.com)
for news, analyses and interviews concerning Montenegro’s accession
to the EU, meeting European standards and developments in the EU
that may impact the accession processes. The articles were forwarded
to all relevant state authorities and officials, to
diplomatic-consular offices, NGOs, media and other stakeholders.
During the preparatory stage of the project junior reporters writing
for the European Reporter attended a seminar that contained key
information on the EU, its background, institutions, decision-making
system and enlargement policy. The project was intended to
contribute to a better understanding of the European integration
process in Montenegro.
-
Reporting on Montenegro’s European
Integration 2008 II. Applicant: Center for Euro-Atlantic
Policies. Budget: EUR 12,454.80. CEAP is in charge of daily
updates of the
European
Reporter, a web portal that contains articles by Montenegrin
journalists and translations of articles from European media
concerning European integration processes. It is also a forum for
representatives of political parties, trade unions, associations,
NGOs and other organizations to express their views on these issues.
The portal serves as a useful source of information on Montenegro's
integration in the EU and presents the extent to which Montenegrin
regulations and practice in specific sectors comply with the EU
standards (environment, transport, agriculture and fisheries etc).
At the same time, it provides a basis for a wide network of
journalists who would specialize in monitoring European integration.
The project was a follow-up to the previously supported
Reporting on
Montenegro's European Integration and Strengthening Journalists'
Capacities for Adequate Monitoring of the EU Accession Process.
-
Political Public Opinion in
Montenegro 2008. Applicant: Center for Democracy and Human
Rights-CEDEM. Budget: EUR 32,881.10. CEDEM conducted three
opinion polls in Montenegro in 2008 and provided in-depth analyses
of public opinion trends; these documents were posted on CEDEM
website and issued in bilingual format (300 copies). Within the
final stage of the project, 500 copies of a bilingual annual
publication were issued, containing detailed reports and analyses
related to all three polls. In 2008, researchers paid special
attention to public opinion concerning: social reforms; specific
institutions; some critical, internationally recognized and
supported values; implications of the resolution of Montenegro's
state status; European integration; improving economic standard and
resolving social deviations. CEDEM conducts the polls in a
standardized form across the country, using a sample of one thousand
respondents that reflects all relevant characteristics of the
population; the polls are regularly presented to the public. FOSI-ROM
has supported public opinion polls since
2004.
-
Analysis of Practice in Legal Aid
Provision in Montenegro. Applicant: NGO Center for Legal Aid.
Budget: EUR 4,297.89 [The project received EUR 10,000 from
the Law Program and EUR 3,897.30 from the Women’s Program, hence its
total budget was EUR 18,195.19] The project
assessed the implementation of free legal aid in practice, the
quality of implementation and possible courses for improvement. The
Center for Legal Aid conducted field research among relevant
institution representatives - providers or beneficiaries of free
legal aid. Open Society Justice Initiative methodology, adjusted to
Montenegrin context, was used for the purpose of this research.
Research report should provide material for the team developing the
Law on Free Legal Aid (in addition to the legal framework analysis,
developed by the Ministry of Justice). The project aimed to
contribute to a more efficient survey of the existing situation in
the domain of free legal aid and development of the Law on Free
Legal Aid, expected to be adopted in 2009.
-
Civil Society Mapping - Youth
Sector. Applicant: Forum MNE. Budget: EUR 5,007.60. The
project included research aimed to identify the organizations
concerned with youth in Montenegro and an analysis of a networking
model for youth organizations and structures in the region and the
EU. Research findings should serve to inspire these organizations to
communicate, exchange information and cooperate and, in time,
develop a shared platform. The project is a new step that Forum MNE
is taking to ensure structured care for young people in Montenegro,
which was initiated by the development and adoption of the National
Action Plan for Youth.
LAW
PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator: Tamara Srzentić
In 2008, FOSI ROM
resumed implementation of the strategic framework for the Law Program,
which entailed further work on creating the conditions for successful
implementation of European standards in the domain of respect for human
and minority rights. In cooperation with the Helsinki Foundation for
Human Rights, Warsaw and funded by OSI network Human Rights and
Governance Grants Program, Budapest, FOSI ROM resumed capacity building
of NGOs concerned with different aspects of human rights issues for the
purpose of better monitoring of implementation of relevant legislation.
Special attention was paid to implementation of minority rights in
practice, effective role of minorities in development and implementation
of policies in Montenegro and fostering an open dialog on the position
of minorities. For the purpose of an adequate legal framework that would
define free legal aid in Montenegro, FOSI ROM supported development of
an analysis of current practice concerning free legal aid, in view of
the forthcoming development of the Law on Free Legal Aid. FOSI ROM
resumed its activities focused on anti-corruption by supporting
establishment of a quality legal framework to regulate transparency of
political party financing and continued monitoring the compliance with
relevant legislation. Further support was provided to the activities
aimed to assess the quality of implementation of Law on Free Access to
Information and upgrade local capacities for efficient implementation of
regulations pertaining to this area (as form of prevention of corrupt
practices at the local level).
Total budget for the
activities implemented within Law Program in 2008 was EUR 137,529.59.
FOSI allocated EUR 118,405.15 and network Human Rights and Governance
Grants Program, Budapest allocated EUR 19,124.44.
1. Implementation of international standards in human rights protection
-
Building the
Capacities of NGOs Concerned with Human Rights, Seminar I: Human
Rights and NGO Strategy (3-6 May, 2008).
In-house project. Budget: EUR
16,245.34. The Program of
Enhancing the Capacities of NGOs Concerned with Human Rights
included five seminars, organized in 2008 and 2009, for a group of
fifteen NGO activists. In addition to training, the Program included
a small grant scheme for projects on human rights monitoring; it
involved expert assistance from FOSI ROM partners in the project -
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Warsaw. The project aimed
to develop NGO capacities for more efficient monitoring and advocacy
in instances of violation of human rights and for preparing better
monitoring reports in the domain of human rights. This specific
project covered the costs of the first seminar on Human Rights and
Strategy that took place in early May 2008.
-
Building the
Capacities of NGOs Concerned with Human Rights, Seminar II: Human
Rights Monitoring (10-15 Oct, 2008).
In-house project. Budget: EUR
9,089.15. [The project
received EUR 7,160.40, from the network OSI Human Rights and
Governance Grants Program,
total budget
EUR 16,249.55]
The project refers to the second seminar, held in October 2008.
-
Building the
Capacities of NGOs Concerned with Human Rights: Monitoring Mission
of Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights to Develop Specific Human
Rights Monitoring Projects (10-14 Dec, 2008).
In-house project. Budget: EUR
780. [The project
received EUR 4,374.04 from the network OSI Human Rights and
Governance Grants Program,
total budget EUR 5,154,04]
-
Analysis of Practice
in Legal Aid Provision in Montenegro. Applicant: NGO Center
for Legal Aid. Budget:
EUR 10, 000
[The project received EUR 4,297.89 from the European Program and
3,897.30 from the Women’s Program, hence its
total budget
was EUR 18,195.19]
The project assessed
implementation of free legal aid in practice, the quality of
implementation and possible courses of improvement. The Center for
Legal Aid conducted field research among relevant institution
representatives - providers or beneficiaries of free legal aid. Open
Society Justice Initiative methodology, adjusted to Montenegrin
context, was used for the purpose of this research. Research report
should provide material for the team developing the Law on Free
Legal Aid (in addition to the legal framework analysis, developed by
the Ministry of Justice). The project aimed to contribute to a more
efficient survey of the existing situation in the domain of free
legal aid and development of the Law on Free Legal Aid, expected to
be adopted in 2009.
-
Reformed Procedure
for the Election of Judges in Montenegro - Review of Outcomes.
Applicant: NGO Human Rights Action, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 6,516.
The project was a follow-up to the 2007
Proposal for the reform of the election of judges in Montenegro -
specifying the criteria, procedure, competences and legal remedies.
At the time, Human Rights Action organized a round table on the
reform of the procedure for the election of judges and gathered an
expert task force that proposed complete constitutional and legal
provisions, based on the discussion during the event, analysis of
international standards and comparative legal reform solutions.
These were published in the
Proposal for the Reform of the Procedure for the Election of Judges
in Montenegro. Within the new project, the same task force
analyzed the constitutional, legal and regulatory provisions applied
in the meantime to reform the procedure for the election of judges
in Montenegro. The publication contains the task force assessment of
the extent to which its recommendations were endorsed and the
recommendations for completing the reform.
-
Provision of
Appropriate Human Rights Safeguards in the Constitution of
Montenegro - Additional Activity.
Applicant: NGO Human Rights Action, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 1,730.
NGO Human Rights Action issued the publication "International
Human Rights Standards and Constitutional Guarantees in Montenegro"
in both local language and English. The publication presented to the
public expert comments on the new Constitution of Montenegro.
Initially, the publication was intended to contain only the
presentations and comments from the Round Table "International Human
Rights Standards and Constitutional Guarantees in Montenegro", the
text of the Constitution and the opinion of the Venice Commission
(adopted at the session held on 14 December 2007). In the course of
material preparation, it was concluded that it would be useful to
add new inputs, which considerably increased the volume of the
publication and required additional funding for the project.
2. Implementation of international standards of minority rights
protection
-
Minority
Representation in the Election Process: Local Elections in Tivat and
Herceg Novi and Presidential Elections.
Applicant: NGO Monioring Centar, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 9,234.10. CEMI
was monitoring participation of minorities in the presidential
election process in Montenegro (6 April, 2008) and the
concurrent local elections in Herceg Novi and Tivat. Wars in the
neighboring countries brought about a considerable change in the
ethnic structure of population of the two municipalities. According
to the project plan, meetings with representatives of minorities,
state authorities, international organizations, political parties,
relevant NGOs and presidential candidates were held. CEMI was
monitoring the attitude of print media towards minorities during the
election process and, on the day of elections, it conducted a survey
on participation of minorities in the process. Research material and
findings were posted on the website:
www.cemi.cg.yu.
-
Minority Rights in
Practice: Montenegrin Experience 2007/2008.
Applicant: NGO Center for Human and Minority Rights, Podgorica.
Budget: EUR 8,944.50.
The project included publication of results of activities
implemented within the project
Minority Rights: Legislation and Practice in Montenegro. Project
results were presented in three reports and on a DVD with TV
broadcasts in Montenegrin, Albanian and English. The project
Minority Rights: Legislation and Practice in Montenegro is a segment
of the regional project titled Minority Rights in Practice in SEE
initiated in 2004 by King Baudouin Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott
and Open Society Institute. The project has been implemented for two
years by the following NGOs: NDC, CEDEM, CEZAM and ASK/Libertask.
-
Integration of
Minorities in Montenegrin Society.
Applicant: NGO Nansen Dialog Center. Budget:
EUR 16,000.
In line with the findings of the project
Minority Rights in Practice, this was an effort of NDC to
present national and international laws and practice related to
promotion and protection of minority rights to representatives of
seven multiethnic communities (Ulcinj, Bar, Tuzi, Kotor, Tivat,
Bijelo Polje and Plav) and to enable open and constructive dialog on
the status of minorities in Montenegro. NDC organized six workshops
for representatives of local governments, NGOs, media, local
politicians and leaders of ethnic and religious groups, as well as
representatives of the Ministry for Protection of Minority Rights. A
special seminar was organized for the most active workshop
participants, to enable them to exchange information, experience and
knowledge and establish cooperation.
3. Monitoring political party finance
-
Engagement of
Marijana Trivunović as Consultant for the Purposes of Implementing
the Activity in the Sphere of Political Party Financing in
Montenegro. In-house
project. Budget: EUR 4, 327.37.
The project refers to the engagement of Marijana Trivunovic, an
expert consultant on anti-corruption issues, studies, analyses and
methodologies for identification of corruption, and on legal,
institutional and educational measures to suppress corruption. For
the past four years, FOSI ROM has supported activities in the sphere
of political party financing through its partnership with CEMI. The
expert assisted CEMI in defining further course of action and FOSI
ROM in planning future activities in this sphere.
-
Upgrading the System
for Election Campaign Financing in Montenegro.
Applicant: NGO Monitoring Center, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 15,605.66.
[The project received EUR 7,590 from OSI Human Rights and
Governance Grants Program,
total budget EUR 23,195.66]
The project supported CEMI activities in the domain of political
party financing from September 2008 to April 2009. In addition to
working on the data base (http://www.transparentnost.cg.yu/Pretraga/Kampanje.php)
and advocating for establishment of an adequate legal framework in
this area, CEMI monitored potential abuse of state resources in
political party financing. The project also envisaged activities to
review the position of the National Electoral Committee, including
lobbying for development of the Law on National Electoral Committee.
FOSI ROM supported CEMI’s activities on improving the transparency
and political accountability in the financing of political parties
in Montenegro in
2004,
2005,
2006,
2007 and
2008. With the engagement of consultant Marijana Trivunović,
CEMI reviewed the activities to date and planned new, broader ones
to be implemented within this project.
4. Promotion and improvement of implementation of the Law on Free Access
to Information
-
Implementation of
the Law on Free Access to Information in the Northern Region of
Montenegro, Stage II.
Applicant: NGO Bonum, Pljevlja. Budget:
EUR 10,100.80.
With this project, NGO Bonum continued its evaluation of the quality
of implementation of the given Law in the northern municipalities.
The NGO submitted requests to local authorities and organized
discussions to promote the legal provisions pertaining to free
access to information in Bijelo Polje, Žabljak, Mojkovac, Kolašin,
Rožaje and Andrijevica. In line with the findings generated by the
previous project, this project included publication of a booklet
that contained all existing guides on free access to information,
the text of the Law and request forms. The publication was
distributed to citizens during the discussions.
-
Free Access to
Information Concerning the Work of Local Government.
Applicant: NGO Network for Affirmation of NGO Sector - MANS,
Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 9,832.23. This was an
effort to facilitate access to information concerning the work of
local government to individual citizens and civil society
organizations and thus contribute to transparency, efficiency and
quality of that work. MANS offices requested information about
organization of secretariats, public enterprises and institutions
and other authorities concerning public procurement and public
spending on the local level. Together with the response obtained for
13 thousand requests submitted to date, this information was
categorized by areas and municipalities. The ultimate goal was to
generate the need among public authorities, in particular the local
ones, to post the information of importance for the general public
on their internet pages and to provide concerned citizens with the
opportunity to access information without having to submit requests.
PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator: Bego Begu
In order to support the processes of decentralization and EU
accession and implementation of legislation in these areas, FOSI
supported the activities that contributed to capacity building of both
public administration and local government institutions, with the aim to
provide competent staff equipped with functional skills that will
implement reform and integration processes. A special segment included
the activities intended to strengthen local government capacities
related to sustainable development and energy efficiency. Some support
was devoted to enhancing the level of knowledge and capacity of NGO
sector representatives concerning implementation of minority policies in
multiethnic communities. In addition, attention was paid to presenting
the structure and standards of the EU to local decision-makers and
dissemination of information on EU integration and their impact on
different segments of life in Montenegro.
Total budget for the activities implemented within PALG Program in
2008 was EUR 109,672.99. FOSI allocated EUR 60,255.41, while OSI/LGI
network program allocated EUR 49,417.58.
1. Strengthening public administration capacities
-
Building the Capacities of Civil
Servants Responsible for Cooperation with NGOs.
Applicant: Center for Development of NGOs - CRNVO. Budget:
EUR 20,317.91.
The project aimed to enhance communication and cooperation between
civil servants and NGO sector through joint projects. The Government
Office for Cooperation with NGOs and contact persons in public
administration exist, but do not manage to use the mechanisms
available for cooperation with the non-governmental sector. Within
this project, 40 civil servants responsible for cooperation with
NGOs attended seminars on strategic planning, project management,
communication and PR. Their improved cooperation with the NGO sector
should contribute to the transparency of work of state authorities.
The starting point for the project was the
recommendation from the
Conference on the Position and Sustainability of NGO Sector in
Montenegro to the Government of Montenegro to strengthen the
capacities for cooperation with NGOs and include adequate funding
for the work of the Office in the national budget.
2. Strengthening local government capacities
-
Capacity Building for Good Local
Governance: School of Good Local Governance.
Applicant: Agency for Local Democracy and Partnership of Montenegro
- ALDPCG. Budget: EUR 17,227.
The project focused on strengthening human resources of the local
governments in Nikšić, Herceg Novi and Budva. Ten employees from
each of the three municipalities attended training that included
lectures (23 days) and exercises (10 days) and was delivered by
teachers from the Faculty for State and European Studies and experts
in relevant areas. The training helps the participants obtain
knowledge of the new reform laws on local governance as well as some
systemic laws. The project thus contributed to more efficient
provision of services at the local level and strengthened the
cooperation between local government departments and citizens, NGOs,
educational institutions and other local actors. FOSI ROM supported
a similar project that was successfully implemented in
the municipalities of Berane, Bijelo Polje and Pljevlja in 2007.
-
Visit to the Citizen Bureau in
Pljevlja: Exchange of Experience - Fewer Mistakes.
Applicant: Civil Initiative Berane. Budget:
EUR 1,083.33.
(funds remained from the project Communication Workshop for
Personnel of
Citizen Bureaus Berane and Rožaje) Employees of Berane Citizen’s
Bureau visited Pljevlja Citizen’s Bureau and worked together with
their colleagues on concrete tasks, ranging from informing citizens
to issuing certificates, permits, decisions and other papers. In the
course of this activity they also asked citizens for their feedback
on performance in order to use that experience and improve the
operation of Berane Citizen’s Bureau. The project used the remaining
funds from the project "Training
Employees of Berane and Rozaje Citizen’s Bureaus on Communication".
-
Strengthening Local Government
Capacities to Implement the Concept of Sustainable Development.
Applicant: Green Home. Budget:
EUR 17,965.30.
The project focused on strengthening the capacities of the
municipalities of Pljevlja, Plav and Mojkovac to implement the
concept of sustainable development. NGO Green Home and the Green
Resource Center organized training events for local governments,
together with the civil sector, businesses, local community and
citizens, to define development priorities in exploitation of
natural resources and action plans for their implementation, all in
line with the EU standards. Thus defined common priorities were
elaborated - during special workshops held in each municipality and
with expert assistance - into concrete project proposals for the EU
or other development funds.
-
Strengthening Local Government
Capacities to Implement the Concept of Energy Efficiency.
Applicant: Green Home. Budget:
EUR 15,226.10.
The project aimed to acquaint representatives of the municipalities
of Tivat, Bar and Herceg Hovi with the European standards concerning
energy efficiency, encourage them to make use of some of the
resources available and thus contribute to a better living standard
of citizens of their respective municipalities. Two training events
were organized for representatives of local governments, civil
society and business sector. Activists of Green Home and NGOs Green
Action and Zmag from Croatia presented the EU directives and
standards concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy as well
as relevant experiences. Municipal representatives then gathered and
exchanged opinions and ideas on potential specific activities (or
investment) in their own communities. The project included
publication and distribution of a booklet (5,000 copies) to explain
to the general public the importance of energy saving and encourage
use of solar energy.
3. Enhancing
the level of knowledge and skills of NGO sector representatives
-
Regional Experience Concerning
Implementation of Minority Policies in Multiethnic Communities.
In-house project. Budget: EUR
4,756.61. FOSI ROM
organized a round table to introduce, to representatives of
Montenegrin NGOs concerned with promotion of minority rights, the
experiences from Vojvodina on upgrading the rights of minorities at
the local level. Particular attention was devoted to information in
minority languages. The project resulted from the efforts to
establish local policies that will contribute to interethnic
tolerance and effectuation of interests of minorities through
democratic resolution of local development issues. Such efforts
represent implementation of the recommendation of the project
Minority Rights in Practice.
4. Presentation of EU structure and standards
-
EU and its Relevance for Local
Government. Applicant:
Municipality of Pljevlja, Development Office. Budget:
EUR 1,815.50
(funds remained from the project Equipment and Staff Training for
the Development Office of Pljevlja Municipality). The project
included a three-day seminar on the EU and its importance for local
government, attended by 15 staff members, mainly trainees, from
Pljevlja Municipality. Since this municipality is situated in the
tri-border area between Montenegro, Bosnia and Hercegovina and
Serbia, it is eligible to apply for EU funds for cross-border
cooperation. This is why the Municipality is making an effort to
train their personnel to be able to write project proposals and
implement them. They will also assist organizations from Pljevlja
that apply for IPA (Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance) funds.
-
School of Democratic Leadership,
VI Generation, Panel on Decentralization, EU Integration and Gender
Equality. Applicant: Nansen
Dialog Center Montenegro. Budget:
EUR 17,090.04.
School of Democratic Leadership belongs to the Network of
Schools of Political Studies under the auspices of the Council of
Europe (www.coe.int/Schools-Politics).
The
School, which consisted of five modules-seminars, was organized
by the Nansen Dialog Center in cooperation with the international
organizations present in Montenegro. FOSI-ROM granted support for
the module on Decentralization, European Integration and Gender
Equality. This seminar enhances the level of information about the
EU and its institutions and the understanding of the process of
Montenegro’s integration, contributing to a clearer recognition of
the need to involve all social actors (especially
politicians-decision makers) in integration processes. The sixth
generation of the
School was attended by 29 representatives of the political
parties represented in the Parliament, the media and the NGO sector.
-
School of Democratic Leadership,
VI Generation, Concluding Panel on Prospects for Development
Political Scene in Montenegro.
Applicant: Nansen Dialog Center Montenegro. Budget:
EUR 2,239.59
(funds remained from VI Generation of School of Democratic
Leadership, Panel on Decentralization, EU Integration and Gender
Equality ). The project included organization of a one-day final
panel, evaluation and final ceremony. The lecturer at this panel was
Srđan Darmanović, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences.
-
School of Democratic Leadership,
VII Generation, Panel on Decentralization, EU Integration and Gender
Equality. Applicant: Nansen
Dialog Center Montenegro. Budget:
EUR 17,090.04.
The seventh generation of the
School was attended by 30 representatives of the political
parties represented in the Parliament, the media and the NGO sector.
WOMEN’S PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator:
Maja Kovačević
This program’s key goals are promotion of women’s
rights and improvement of the position of women through educational and
research initiatives, action projects, promotional campaigns and by
encouraging institutions to develop gender-sensitive policies.
2008 was marked by several large and, in our view,
important projects for the women’s sector and the position of women in
Montenegro, in particular development of the first shadow report on the
implementation of UN CEDAW Convention and the publication presenting the
findings of the research concerning the topics and areas covered by this
Convention that involved citizens and representatives of vulnerable
groups. In order to strengthen the organizational capacities and
sustainability of women’s groups, Women’s Program supported training on
applying to EU funds. The program’s long-standing support to groups
facing multiple marginalization continued through a project intended to
strengthen women with disabilities. The educational component of the
Program, in addition to support to Women Studies, included publication
of a compilation of texts assessing the reports of Montenegrin media
from the gender perspective and indicating the way the media construct
and maintain gender images and stereotypes.
Total budget for the activities implemented within
Women’s Program was EUR 38,482.99. FOSI ROM allocated EUR 32,305.79 and
Network Women’s Program EUR 6,177.20.
1. Gender and education
-
Women Studies 2008, Kotor. Applicant: NGO
Anima - Center for Women and Peace Education. Budget: EUR 6,320.
The sixth generation,
Women Studies
2008, was organized for a group of 20 participants who attended
a two-semester program on feminist theory and practice. The program
implied their active involvement in local community and in ANIMA
activities, as well as promotion of women’s program activities
through a variety of methods and activities (meetings, seminars,
lectures, workshops, actions, discussion groups, research). The
program has traditionally been co-funded (since inception in 2004)
by FOSI-ROM and Kvinna Till Kvinna. FOSI-ROM's share refers to the
participants' accommodation and travel expenses.
-
"Media and Gender" Compilation. Applicant:
NGO NOVA Center for Feminist Culture. Budget: EUR 8,253.59.
The project included preparation, development and publication of a
collection of papers that provide analysis of specific media reports
and indicate the way the media construct gender concepts. The
publication, which provides a gender perspective on the media,
contributes to the introduction of media
literacy in Montenegrin schools, as it should serve as a
handbook for one segment of the curriculum focused on developing
knowledge and skills relevant for identification of gender
stereotypes. The compilation consists of 8-10 articles written by
local authors, employing a competent but also popular method to
deconstruct gender concepts in the media.
-
Building Organizational Capacities of Women’s
Groups and Women’s Movement in Montenegro. Applicant: NGO SOS
Phone for Women and Children Victims of Violence, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 6,177.20 (The project received EUR 8,589.90 from the
European Program, hence its total budget was EUR 14,767.10)
The project included organization of training for women members
of NGOs for the purpose of preparing projects eligible for EU funds.
Two three-day training events were attended by 26 women activists;
training was delivered by qualified trainers, with
FOSI ROM
support. During the training, participants had drafted projects
that were later amended and submitted for EU funding. The project
thus contributed to developing organizational capacities of women’s
groups and women’s movement in Montenegro and enabled their
participation, on equal terms, in EU competitions.
-
Open Heart. Applicant: NGO Association of
Paraplegics, Pljevlja. Budget: EUR 4,889.90. The project
included organization of a two-day seminar for women with
disabilities from the towns of Pljevlja, Žabljak, Bijelo Polje,
Mojkovac, Berane and Rožaje, to inform them about the rights of
people with disabilities. Special attention was devoted to the
importance of education and employment of people with disabilities
and reproductive health of women with disabilities. Focus groups of
women from these towns defined concrete seminar topics; a brochure
with necessary information was prepared based on their requests. The
project intended to strengthen women with disabilities, but also to
highlight to the local community their rights and the discrimination
they face as a doubly marginalized group.
2. Integration of gender issues into public policies
-
Women’s Human Rights in Montenegro - Publication
of Research Findings and Finalization of CEDAW Shadow Report.
Applicant: NVO Anima. Budget: EUR 8,945. Activists of Anima
and other women’s NGOs carried out a survey and developed a report
on the situation of women’s rights in Montenegro and CEDAW Shadow
Report (alternative to the official report developed by the state)
for the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women. The project included activities related to
finalization of CEDAW Shadow Report and Report Summary, development
of a publication to present results of the survey on the position of
women in Montenegro, as well as organization of a round table to
present the data.
-
Analysis of Practice in Legal Aid Provision in
Montenegro. Applicant: NGO Center for Legal Aid. Budget: EUR
3,897.30 [The project received EUR 10,000 from the Law
Program and 4,297.89 from the European Program, hence its total
budegt was EUR 18,195.19) The project assessed the
implementation of free legal aid in practice, the quality of
implementation and possible courses for improvement. The Center for
Legal Aid conducted field research among relevant institution
representatives - providers or beneficiaries of free legal aid. Open
Society Justice Initiative methodology, adjusted to Montenegrin
context, was used for the purpose of this research. Research report
should provide material for the team developing the Law on Free
Legal Aid (in addition to the legal framework analysis, developed by
the Ministry of Justice). The project aimed to contribute to a more
efficient survey of the existing situation in the domain of free
legal aid and development of the Law on Free Legal Aid, expected to
be adopted in 2009.
-
16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
Campaign. In-house project. Budget: EUR 5,599.20 (project
funded from the European Program).
ROMA PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator:
Tamara Srzentić
In line with the strategic orientation of the Roma
Program, FOSI ROM paid special attention to enhancing Roma NGO
capacities for stronger involvement in monitoring relevant government
policies and in identifying and addressing Roma issues in Montenegro.
With the support of OSI Roma Initiatives Office, Budapest, further
institutional support was provided to the Roma NGO Coalition "Roma
Circle" in order to provide the preconditions for the Roma sector to
focus on strategic issues. In cooperation with the network OSI Local
Government Initiative, Budapest, FOSI ROM carried out a capacity
building program involving a group of relevant Roma civil sector
representatives. The program encompassed policy paper writing and
development of advocacy skills. Further efforts were invested in
advocating long-term and sustainable policies defining certain aspects
of Roma situation. To this end, FOSI ROM presented the findings of the
two-year monitoring project Equal Opportunities to Quality Education for
Roma, implemented in partnership with the network European Union
Monitoring and Advocacy Program-EUMAP, Budapest. Activities to promote
Roma integration continued in the form of support to projects promoting
Roma identity and aiming to overcome the stereotypes concerning
marginalized social groups. FOSI invested significant efforts in
presentation of opportunities available through OSI network programs
that may serve as additional resources for successful social integration
of Roma in Montenegro.
Total budget for the projects implemented within
Roma Program in 2008 was EUR 51,399.51. FOSI ROM allocated EUR
43,852.66, while network EUMAP Program, Budapest allocated EUR 7,546.85.
1. Enhancing Roma civil sector capacities for the
purpose of
more effective involvement in the Implementation of the Decade of
Roma Inclusion (2005 - 2015)
-
Strengthening Local Roma NGO Capacities for the Purpose of
More Effective Monitoring of the National Strategy to Improve the
Position of RAE Population in Montenegro. Applicant: Roma NGO
Coalition "Roma Circle", Podgorica. Budget: EUR 14,655. The
project aimed to strengthen the capacity of Roma activist network in
some Montenegrin regions/municipalities for the purpose of more
efficient monitoring of the recently adopted Government Strategy to
Improve the Situation of RAE in Montenegro. Roma Circle Coalition
had established a network of local activists (from Podgorica, Nikšić,
Rožaje, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Ulcinj, Bar, Budve, Herceg Novi, Tivat
and Kotor) who collected information underpinning the report on the
implementation of the Strategy. The Coalition had been allocated
Government funding to improve the capacity of Roma organizations and
monitor the activities related to implementation of certain national
policies concerning Roma. The project contributed to
decentralization of efforts devoted to raising the awareness about
the situation of Roma in Montenegro and empowering local agents to
address Roma issues.
-
Enhancing Roma Leaders' Capacities in the Domain of Writing
Papers Concerning Implementation of Policies and Development of
Advocacy Skills - III. Applicant: Roma NGO Coalition "Roma
Circle", Podgorica. Budget: EUR 3,787. This is the final
phase of the program named Policy Paper Writing and Development of
Advocacy Skills for ROMA NGO Leaders, implemented by OSI network
organizations (LGI-Local Government Reform Initiative and RIO- Roma
Initiative Office, Budapest). This phase included a two-day workshop
organized by the Roma Circle Coalition in December 2008, when draft
policy papers developed by Roma NGOs in the course of this training
program were presented.
2. Advocating for long-term and sustainable policies defining
certain aspects of Roma situation
-
Presentation of the Results of Monitoring the National
Strategy to Improve the Position of RAE in 2008 and Fostering Social
Dialog Concerning Employment, Health Services and Housing for Roma.
Applicant: Roma NGO Coalition "Roma Circle", Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 8,538.56. Roma Circle Coalition developed a National Report
on the specific problems of RAE, Roma NGO sector and local
government activities, as a result of the earlier
project. The new project envisaged a special presentation of
National Report findings to stakeholders, state authorities, local
government representatives, media, donors and NGOs concerned with
Roma issues. In addition, the project included organization of three
thematic round tables on housing, health services and employment for
Roma. The round tables were intended to help identify the specific
problems that could be further addressed in the course of individual
activities or campaigns of RAE NGOs.
-
EU Matrix - Monitoring of Montenegro’s European Integration
with Emphasis on the Implementation of the National Program for
Integration - Preparatory Stage. Applicant: European Movement in
Montenegro, together with Monitoring Center - CEMI and Alternative
Institute. Budget: EUR 4,000 [The project received EUR
6,453.90 from the European Program, hence its total budget
was EUR 10,453.90] National Program for Integration (NPI)
contains the measures to be implemented in order for Montenegro to
meet the numerous requirements on its course to attaining full
membership in the EU. Montenegrin civil sector has resources that
may assist the administration in monitoring NPI implementation and
designing public policies in the areas covered by the NPI. Through
this project, the European Movement in Montenegro, together with the
Monitoring Center - CEMI and the Alternative Institute and with
other NGOs involved, consolidated the available civil sector
resources and trained them for performance of relevant tasks.
Project implementation improved the quality of European integration
process by identifying and addressing the shortcomings.
-
Round Table on the Occasion of Presenting the Report Equal
Opportunities to Quality Education for Roma in Montenegro (EUMAP
project). Budget: EUR 7,546.85. The authors and
representatives of network European Union Monitoring and Advocacy
Program - EUMAP presented the report to the professionals at the
round table in late April 2008. The round table was followed by a
press conference in order to present the report to the general
public. EUMAP conducted research and published reports on quality
access to education for Roma in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia,
Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia - countries
participating in the Decade of Roma Inclusion. The report for
Montenegro was developed by Tamara Srzentic, Milos Besic, Nada
Koprivica and Fana Delija. The project included translation and
printing of 500 copies of the report for Montenegro, organization of
the round tabe and press conference. FOSI ROM actively
participated in this monitoring project since
2006.
3. Further promotion of public participation of Roma and overcoming
prejudice against them
-
Promoting the Cultural Identity of RAE in Montenegro.
Applicant: Roma NGO Coalition "Roma Circle", Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 7,383. Roma Circle Coalition, which gathers 22 NGOs,
celebrated the World Roma Day 8 April by organizing a performance
titled ’Dnevnik’ in Podgorica and Nikšić and other activities. The
project covered all costs related to preparing and giving the
performance and holding press conferences. This was an effort of the
Roma Circle to diminish prejudice against Roma and promote Roma
tradition and culture, aligned with the goals of the
Decade of Roma
Inclusion and recently adopted Strategy to Improve the Position
of Roma in Montenegro.
-
Equal Opportunities for Roma Children. Applicant:
Montenegro Media Institute, Podgorica. Budget: EUR 5,489.10.
The project included a TV program - MMI contribution to further
elimination of prejudice related to integration of Roma children in
formal education. Three short reports on Roma education issues aimed
to present the problems faced by Roma children while growing-up and
getting education. The project helped eliminate negative perception
of Roma and improve Roma identity.
EAST EAST
PROGRAM
Program
Coordinator:
Tamara Srzentić
Total amount allocated by the network East-East
program in 2007 was 68,351.08 EUR.
In implementing the regional network East East Program,
in line with the Program mission, FOSI ROM worked on further enhancing
various forms of regional cooperation that facilitate exchange of ideas,
experiences and expertise in specific areas and an open dialog on
certain issues of social relevance.
Total 2008 budget of the regional network East-East
Program was EUR 71,944.46.
In 2008, FOSI enabled implementation of the following
regional projects in Montenegro within EAST EAST Program:
-
SEE (South East Europe) Heritage Network:
Network Meeting and Workshop on Devastation of Cultural Heritage.
Applicant: NGO Expeditio, Kotor. Budget: EUR 7,980. The
project included hosting of a meeting of organizations active in
cultural heritage protection in the region and a related workshop
that threw more light on the challenges in this domain
in the neighboring countries. The
issue is particularly important for Montenegro, since uncontrolled
urban development affects cultural heritage and is becoming a focus
of public attention in other Western Balkan countries as well. The
network has been operating for a while now, expanding by accepting
new members after each meeting.
-
Ljubljana Agenda for a New Stage of
SAP. Applicant: NGO
European Movement in Montenegro, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 11,613.13.
The project - part of a regional project implemented in Montenegro
by the given NGO - had a multifaceted purpose: to foster further
discussion on EU enlargement process during Slovenian presidency, by
means of developing Ljubljana Agenda, which was the result of
national and local debates on accession. Launching the Agenda
provided an opportunity to 'think tank' organizations from the
region to address the key priority of further political, economic
and social development in their countries - strengthening the
political will in the region for a faster integration process; it
also provided them with an opportunity to continue successful
cooperation and show organizational capacity to address important
issues concerning implementation of national, regional and European
policies.
-
Regional Cooperation in the Domain of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources.
Applicant: NGO Green Home, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 2,400.
The project aimed to promote alternative energy sources and
envisaged a presentation of Croatian experience in this area.
Printing of a newsletter and maintaining Solar Center website were
funded under Phase II. The project was implemented in partnership
with the Croatian NGO Green Action.
-
Sustainable Development of the River
Cijevna. Applicant: NGO
Green Home, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 5,930.
This Montenegrin-Albanian project aimed to appreciate the natural
and cultural resources of the border area in the river basin by
developing an environmental study that would provide appropriate
recommendations concerning sustainable and environmentally friendly
development. In order to involve local stakeholders and articulate
their views, Phase I included two workshops to promote participatory
process. The project is important from the perspective of
establishing economic cross-border cooperation; it also provides a
good entry point for other types of cooperation in this geographic
area shared by Montenegro and Albania. During Phase II the
translated study was presented in Montenegro and Albania. Expenses
of the partner organization from Albania were also covered by the
East East Program (through Open Society Foundation Albania).
-
Does it Matter? Visa Facilitation for
the Western Balkans: Proposal for Monitoring the Agreement on Visa
Facilitation to the Western Balkans.
Applicant: NGO Center for Civic Education, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 5,410.
The project was implemented by five NGOs from BiH, Albania, Serbia,
Macedonia and Montenegro, engaging in continuous monitoring of
quantitative indicators of compliance with the Visa Facilitation
Agreement and development of a report based on research findings.
The aim was to study the actual impact of the Agreement, since its
implementation is burdened by a number of insufficiently specified
criteria and procedures. The project was implemented in partnership
with the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS).
-
Regional Euro-Atlantic Camp - REACT
2008. Applicant: NGO ALPHA
Center, Nikšić. Budget: EUR
3,800. The project was
implemented in September 2008. It aimed to contribute to the public
debate on the process of Euro-Atlantic integration in Montenegro and
to awareness-raising on the essence of the given process, importance
of regional cooperation and current security situation in the
region. With regard to the essence of the East East Program, its
primary purpose was to provide a forum for well-argumented,
purposeful and comprehensive discussion involving various agents and
focusing on the conditions and consequences of the process of
accession to NATO.
-
Regional Strategic Meeting of the
Balkan Civil Society Development Network.
Applicant: Center for Development of NGOs, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 6,059.10.
The project aimed to institutionalize the partnership established
within the Balkan Civil Society Development Network for the purpose
of exchange of information/knowledge and development of capacities
of network members. The meeting held in September 2008 in Prčanj
contributed to strengthening partnership between member
organizations in order to establish a forum and institutional
mechanisms for civil dialog. The project was also supported to
foster exchange of positive examples of civil sector involvement in
the decision-making process and promote the process of European
integration in the Western Balkans.
-
Institutional Mechanisms for
Prevention of Gender Violence and their Implementation in Croatia
and in Montenegro.
Applicant: NGO SOS Phone for Women and Children Victims of Violence,
Podgorica. Budget: EUR 13,230.
The project was supported in the light of the forthcoming adoption
of the Law on Protection from Violence against Women in Montenegro,
with the aim of exchange of experience between representatives of
institutions from Croatia and Montenegro dealing with this issue
involved in the given legislative effort. The project was inspired
by the conclusions of the conference organized last year by the NGO
SOS Phone (also supported by the East East Program) that indicated
the relevance of Croatian experience for defining the legislative
framework for prevention of violence against women in Montenego. The
project supported in 2008 focused on an exchange of study visits of
representatives of relevant institutions for the purpose of
cooperation, exchange of methods applied in dealing with this issue
and establishing a network of contacts useful for further activity
on the national level.
-
Upgrading Child Protection in
Montenegro: Experience of Croatia.
Applicant: NGO Children First, Podgorica. Budget:
EUR 6,110.
In line with the efforts that Montenegro is investing to improve
social and child protection (in compliance with the adopted
Strategy), support was granted to the first phase of the project:
exchange of experience between relevant institutions from Croatia
and Montenegro concerned with social and child protection during a
study visit to Croatia in December 2008.
East East Program enabled a number of
Montenegrin experts to participate in the international events organized
under its auspices:
-
Election Monitoring and
Advocacy (Ulan Bator, Mongolia, 27-28 March 2008). Participant:
Branka Todorović,
NGO Monitoring Center. Budget:
EUR 1,030.17.
-
Fair and Clean Energy for the
Balkans (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 18-20 June 2008).
Participants: Ljubiša
Stevović, NGO Most;
Jelena Mugoša
and Darko Pajović,
NGO Green Home. Budget:
EUR 400.
-
Building Common European
Future in Environmental Issues (Belgrade, Serbia, 27 June 2008).
Participants: Ljubiša
Stevović and
Batrić Krsmanović,
NGO Most. Budget: EUR 463.
-
Local Policies in Multiethnic
Communities (Brezovica, Kosovo, 4-6 June 2008).
Participant: Leon Gjokaj,
NGO Bono Modo Center. Budget:
EUR 650.
-
Information Society and its
Impact on Development of Youth Media (Skoplje, Macedonia, 11-14
September 2008). Participants:
Danilo Knežević,
NGO Juventas; Leila
Murseljević and
Emilija Rabrenović.
Budget: EUR 1,229.50.
-
Regional Civil Society
Consultation on Mechanisms of Post-Conflict Fact-Finding
(Pristina, Kosovo, 27-29
October 2008). Participants:
Zorka Martinović,
Jelica Popović,
Ljubiša Filipović,
Nikola Filipović,
Zlata Senić,
Agron Šabani,
Sanija Gutić,
Šabo Gutić
(NGO Crveni Božur), Tea
Gorjanc Prelević (NGO
Human Rights Action),
Velija Murić
(Montenegrin Bar), Alit
Asović,
Mira Asović
(NGO Montenegrin Women’s Lobby),
Sead Sadiković
(Monitor Magazine), Edina
Hasanaga Čobaj (NGO
Youth Initiative for Human Rights). Budget:
EUR 1,900.
-
Fair and Clean Energy for the
Balkans (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 29-31
October 2008). Participant:
Jelena Marojević,
NGO Green Home. Budget:
EUR
500.
-
19th Meeting of Igman
Initiative (Zagreb, Croatia, 7-8 November 2008).
Participants:
Željko Rutović,
Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport,
Miodrag
Vuković,
Parliamentary Board for European Integration. Budget:
EUR 814.
-
Impact of EU Accession
Processes on Human Rights (Donja Stubica, Croatia, 23-26
November 2008). Participants:
Sanja Svrkota,
NGO Green Home, Nikola
Đurović,
NGO Center for Democracy and Human Rights - CEDEM and
Daliborka Knežević,
NGO Center for legal Aid. Budget:
EUR 1,025.56.
-
Experiences and Roles of Civil
Society Organizations in the Stabilization and
Association Process (Sarajevo,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10-12 December 2008).
Participants:
Stevo Muk,
Center for Development of NGOs,
Momčilo Radulović,
European Movement in
Montenegro, Dragan Đurić,
UNDP. Budget: EUR 650.
-
Establishing and Facilitating
the First Regional Green Lobby Group (Ohrid, Macedonia,
19-21 December 2008). Participant:
Sanja Svrkota,
NGO Green
Home. Budget:
EUR 750.
CAPACITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CDP)
Capacity Development Program - CDP is
a partnership program of the Government of Montenegro, UNDP and FOSI
ROM. It was established in 2003, with a mission to contribute to
development of institutional and administrative capacities of Montenegro
for the European integration process. The budget for Phase I (2003-2006)
was provided by the three partners, together with bilateral donors. The
program paper that marked the beginning of Phase II was signed in
January 2007. The activities envisaged for this Phase refer to
developing the capacities of the Secretariat for European Integration,
the Parliament and some ministries. The budget for Phase II was provided
by UNDP and bilateral donors. Within this Phase, FOSI ROM support is
reflected in participation in the strategic and executive bodies of CDP.
The following projects were
implemented in 2008:
1. Enhancing the capacity of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs to Better Respond to Montenegro's National Priorities
in European Integration
(May 2007 - December 2008).
Budget for 2008: $168,000.
Source: UNDP.
The project aimed to strengthen
the capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop and implement
the foreign policy of the Government of Montenegro, through
establishment of adequate (1) institutional, (2) human resource, (3)
technological and (4) knowledge platforms for the comprehensive,
thoughtful and timely provision of foreign policy response in line with
Montenegro's national priorities in European integration.
-
New International Legal Office was
established and two national experts were engaged from October, 2007
to October 2008. International expert, Stanko Nick, provided expert
assistance for the International Legal Office as well as in drafting
two pieces of legislation: Law on Conclusion of International
Agreements and Law on Foreign Affairs and Organizational Structure
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (first drafts ready).
-
New website of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs was developed.
-
Expert assistance in the process
of harmonization a segment of national legislation with the Acquis
and preparation of the National Program for Integration (NPI) was
provided through engagement of international expert Leszek Jesien.
Additional assistance on Annex 3 and list of legislation was
provided following the NPI adoption.
-
The first Montenegrin Diplomatic
Summer School "Gavro Vuković", was organized in June, 2008 with
Project support. Diplomatic Summer School was devoted to the
challenges faced by diplomats of small countries in the process of
European and Euro-Atlantic integration and provided an excellent
opportunity for an exchange of views and experience concerning the
current issues and processes in the EU and NATO, as well as for
networking among young diplomats from the region and other EU
countries and their professional development and specialization.
-
The Project provided professional
literature for the Ministry in September/ October 2008.
-
The Project hired an international
expert to conduct capacity assessment of MoFA, focused primarily on
the Ministry’s capacity, especially in terms of human resources, its
existing organization and allocation of functions, its working
methods and rules. The aim was to provide the Ministry with
recommendations for designing of a new organizational structure, and
decision-making/information flow, introduction of strategic
management and new policy-making mechanisms, and revised rules and
procedures of decision-making/operational management.
2. Introduction of European Contents in
the State Examination for Work in State Institutions
(November
2007-November 2008).
Budget:
$16,000.
Source: UNDP.
The project aimed to reinforce the capacities of all the state
institutions through provision of reformed and modern Program for taking
the state examination needed for work in public institutions, but also
through printing of an appropriate Manual.
-
The existing Decree for Taking
State Exam was reviewed and new chapters on European law and EU
integration process added.
-
The Manual was prepared;
proofreading, design and printing followed.
3. Enhancing the Capacity of the
Parliamentary Committee for International Cooperation and European
Integration and the Committee for Constitutional Issues
(July 2007 - December 2008).
Budget for 2008:
$101,000.
Source: UNDP.
The project aimed to strengthen
the capacity of the Parliamentary Committee for International
Cooperation and European Integration and the Committee for
Constitutional Issues and Legislation in the process of implementing the
Stabilization and Association Agreement. This enabled an effective role
of the Parliament in the process of harmonization of Montenegrin
legislation with Acquis and in conducting scrutiny of governmental work.
-
Assessment of legal, institutional
and administrative capacities of the two Committees was conducted in
2007.
-
Based on the international
consultant report, a round table was organized and Conclusions on
improvement of work of Parliamentary Committees adopted.
-
Training events on the history of
European Integration process, EU Institutions, framework for EI
process in Montenegro, obligations in the process of implementation
of the Stabilization and Association Agreement for the staff of the
Parliament were organized in the second half of 2007.
-
Additional assistance was provided
through engagement of the two national experts who work in the two
given Committees.
-
Study visit for members of the two
Parliamentary Committees was organized in July 2008, to visit and
exchange experience with representatives of the Parliament of
Slovenia.
-
The first ten Government Quarterly
Reports on SAP for the Parliament were published in September.
4. Strengthening the Capacities of the
Secretariat and DPM Office for European Integration
(January 2007 - December 2009).
Budget for 2008:
$125,000
+ additional $50,000.
Sources: UNDP, USAID and EC.
The project aimed to provide
assistance to establishment and functioning of two new permanent
governmental institutions: Deputy Prime Minister for European
Integration (DPM) and Secretariat for European Integration (SEI), as
well as new coordination structures: Commission for European Integration
and Groups for European Integration. The assistance focused on
organizational and human resource development, relationship building,
providing training and IT support. One national consultant engaged
through the Project works in the office of DPM for EI.
-
Support to SEI and DPM for EI in
the preparation of the National Program for Integration (NPI)
-
Comparative experience was
provided (Slovenia, Macedonia) related to managing the process of
preparation of NPI.
-
In the process of developing the
NPI, CDP recruited 15 international consultants for Chapter 3 - The
Ability to Assume Membership Obligations.
-
Specialized course of English
language was organized for GEI leaders and their deputies and civil
servants assigned key tasks in the field of European integration.
-
The official version of NPI was
published.
-
Establishment of National Experts
Database CDP
administered recruitment of national expert practitioners who want
to contribute to EU integration of Montenegro
-
A database of (126) national
experts was created, available at:
http://www.me-expert.org/cdp/default.aspx. The procedures for
hiring national experts were developed.
-
Four experts have been hired so
far - for the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Ministry of
Justice and Ministry for Protection of Human and Minority Rights and
the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications.
-
Assistance for SEI and other
institutions for programming projects for IPA 2008
- Training on project development
for EU funds was organized for SEI and Ministry of Finance staff in
order to assist in better preparation of Government staff for IPA
2008.
-
Assistance to SEI for the purpose
of editing the new website commited to European Integration process
-
A national expert was engaged for
preparation of web editing of new website. The design of new website
will be completed in the coming months.
-
Assistance to DPM for EI in
anticorruption activities
-
A national expert was engaged for
preparation of software for integrated data collection on corruption
from different institutions (police, prosecutor and courts).
-
The second report of the National
Commission for Monitoring the Implementation of the Action Plan for
Implementation of the Program for Fight against Corruption and
Organized Crime was published in Montenegrin and English in June
2008.
-
Assistance to the Secretariat for
EI for the establishment of the Development Assistance Information
and Online Database - Aid Management Platform - AMP
Development and implementation of the AMP is needed for the
comprehensive, transparent, efficient and effective management and
coordination of donors’ assistance in line with the country’s
national priorities for European integration.
-
Aid management needs and technical
requirements for the implementation of the AMP in Montenegro were
assessed. Specific pilot AMP customized for Montenegro was prepared;
training program was launched for groups competent for AMP.
-
Assistance to SEI and other
institutions in programming the projects for IPA 2009
-
Training on project cycle
management and preparation of logical framework matrix and project
fiches was conducted for SEI, line ministries and relevant state
institutions in June/ September 2008. This was a necessary step for
good programming exercise for IPA 2009 National Programme.
-
Assistance to Human Resource
Management Agency (HRMA) in implementation of the Strategy for
Training of Civil Servants and State Employees
-
An expert to support development
of the Action Plan for implementation of the Civil Servants and
State Employees Training Strategy to be engaged in February 2009.
5. Assessing and Monitoring the State of
Governance in the Context of European Integration in Montenegro
(February 2008-December 2008).
Budget:
$170,000.
Source: UNDP.
The project focused on the
establishment of an appropriate system of governance indicators
regarding the political criteria for European Integration through
facilitating cooperation of the Government and civil society and
designing and piloting a nationally owned methodology.
-
The round table with stakeholders
(relevant ministries, civil society) was conducted in April,
discussing the context and methodology for governance assesment in
Montenegro. The conclusion was that the proposed Montenegrin
governance assessment (GA) should focus on the political Copenhagen
criteria for EU accession by making use of existing governance
indicator sources, both domestic and international.
-
The Project contracted NDI for
joint work on this project.
-
Desk Research on Copenhagen
political criteria in regard to Montenegro was completed.
6. Strengthening the Capacities for
Programming and Project Fiche Preparation
(October 2008 - January 2009).
Budget:
$211,550.
Source: EC.
The project had a twofold purpose:
1) preparation of project fiches for IPA National Programme 2009
together with all necessary supporting documentation as per IPA
regulation and 2) strengthening the capacities in state administration
and the sense of ownership over IPA programming and project
identification/preparation process.
Main activities included: analysis of
programming process and documents from the country and region relevant
for preparation of IPA National Programme 2009; preparation of project
fiches in close cooperation with consultants; preparation of training
plans, materials for trainings, organization of general, ''on the job"
and specific training for SEI and relevant ministries; support to the
ministries and SEI in promoting visibility and transparency in
preparation of IPA National Programme 2009 through participatory
approach.
7. Strengthening the Capacities of the
Government of Montenegro PR Bureau to Communicate Reforms and European
Integration to the Media and the Public
(April 2008 - December 2008).
Budget:
$60,000.
Source: UNDP.
The project focused on
strengthening the capacities of the Government PR Bureau by means of
working on improving both internal and external communication methods
and systems regarding European integration. The project aimed to provide
adequate training to Bureau staff and purchase technical equipment to
facilitate more efficient and transparent communication with the general
public and the media. It included two components: 1) education and
training, and 2) technical assistance and infrastructure development
-
Video and IT equipment was
provided to the PR Bureau in September 2008.
-
Training was organized in the
second half of November 2008.
-
Study visit to Brussels was
organized in December 2008.
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