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.

• Eight international and one national consultant were engaged to provide assistance in the preparation of IPA National Programme 2009.

• Ten project fiches for IPA 2009 National Programme were prepared.

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.