Government proposes new legislation to boost NGO involvement in policy-making

Podgorica, Montenegro (16 June 2001) – The Government of Montenegro adopted the Draft Law on Non-governmental Organisations, as envisaged by the Action Plan for meeting the European Commission’s key recommendations, Interior Minister Ivan Brajović told the press following the Cabinet meeting earlier today.

The Draft law is aimed at advancing normative and legal framework for the establishment and work of NGOs and it has been fully harmonised with European standards, in particular with the European Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms. In addition, it will help recognise the ways of engaging the civil society into creating public policies of vital significance for the country, Minister Brajović remarked.

The new law prescribes a number of novelties such as the minimum number of NGO founders, which is now reduced to 3, and that at least one of them must have permanent or temporary residence in Montenegro. Furthermore, minors can also establish NGOs with the consent of their legal representatives.

The new law introduces normative preconditions for financing NGOs from the Budget. The Government will accordingly define top priority areas annually, along with the amount of funds for financing NGO’s projects and programmes in those areas.

According to the Draft Law, non-governmental organisations will have to file reports on the implementation of the financed projects and programmes to the Government’s advisory body once a year. The Draft Law further prescribes external audit of the funds designated to NGOs set by the advisory body.

If an NGO makes a revenue of more than EUR 10 000 a year, it is obliged to publish its financial report on its web site, the Interior Minister concluded.