NGO
Cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and NGOs
The role of non-governmental organizations, their experience and knowledge are extremely important, therefore they play an active role in policy making through mandatory consultations in the preparation of laws and strategies, as well as active participation in working bodies formed by the Government of Montenegro, ministries and administrations.
NGOs strengthen the democratic development of society by: making it easier for citizens to obtain information on how the state and taxpayers' money are managed, helping the interested public to communicate with state administration, ensuring that governments do not abuse their powers, actively participating in public policy making; in monitoring of their implementation and advocating for their change, they inform citizens about the EU integration processes, monitor state administration reform and contribute to successful reform with their ideas and proposals, advocate for better conditions for their activities and expansion of civic space.
All NGO actions are voluntary, generating values such as trust and tolerance, following the cause-and-effect relationship between democracy, free society and positive outcomes, from respect for human rights, strengthening the rule of law to economic prosperity and social security.
Cooperation between the Government and the non-governmental sector is defined by a series of regulations, which represent the intention to standardize procedures relevant to cross-sectoral relations and a strategic approach to cross-sectoral communication.
This approach covers several aspects and forms of cooperation, which includes several important topics, such as: freedom of expression, association and gathering, improving the conditions in which NGOs operate, stimulating legislative, fiscal and institutional framework, participation of NGOs in public policy making, financial sustainability of NGOs, participation of NGOs in European integration, contribution of NGOs to the socio-economic development of society.
Normative and institutional framework of cooperation between state administration bodies and NGOs
The Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media is in charge of the activities of the non- governmental sector in Montenegro.
With the adoption of the Law on Non-Governmental Organizations in 2017 and the accompanying bylaws, a normative framework for cooperation with non-governmental organizations has been created. In order to better understand and elaborate in more detail the specific areas covered by law, the following bylaws have been adopted:
- Regulation on financing projects and programs of non-governmental organizations in areas of public interest;
- Rulebook on the content of the public tender for the allocation of funds for financing projects and programs of non-governmental organizations and the appearance and content of the application for the public tender;
- Regulation on the procedure and manner of co-financing projects and programs of non-governmental organizations supported from the European Union funds.
The participation of citizens and NGOs as their legitimate representatives in the decision-making process, is regulated by the Law on state administration whose following bylaw is: Regulation on the selection of NGO representatives in working bodies of the state administration and implementation of public debate in the preparation of the laws and strategies.
The role of the Council for Cooperation between State Administration Bodies and NGOs
The establishment of the Council for Cooperation between state administration bodies and non-governmental organizations, which consists of representatives of the governmental and non-governmental sector, has contributed to better communication and improved cooperation.
The competencies of the Council are related to giving opinions on draft regulations, i.e. strategic and other documents related to the work and development of non-governmental organizations in Montenegro, in order to improve the enabling environment for non-governmental organizations and giving opinions on the application of regulations, i.e. strategic and other documents related to the work and development of non-governmental organizations in Montenegro.
NGO registration
In preparation for the establishment of an NGO, you can refer to the Handbook on the Establishment and Registration of NGOs .
In this way, the registration procedure is facilitated and shortened, because the competent authority cannot make this entry in the Register without complete and proper documentation. There are no administrative costs for the applicant during the registration procedure.
Entry in the register
Registration in the register of non-governmental organizations is a step you take after the adoption of the acts at the founding assembly.
The NGO should submit an application for registration to the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, accompanied by the Founding Act, the Minutes from the Founding Assembly and the Statute of the Association. The Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media is obliged to, within 30 days from the day of submitting a proper and complete application for registration, make an entry in the Register of Non-Governmental Associations, on which it issues a decision.
Submission of applications for registration, change of data, deletion and other requests is done electronically, by submitting the necessary documentation via e-mail arhiva@mju.gov.me or indirectly and by mail to the archive, address: Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, Rimski trg 45.
Finish electronically
On the e-Government portal, you can send a Request for the issuance of a copy of the documentation from the official records for NGOs and a Request for the issuance of certificates of facts from the official records for NGOs.
Contact
Authorized officials of the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media who perform the tasks of registration and keeping records on NGOs are independent advisors Mira Jovović, Sanja Andjušić and Veljko Sinanović.
The time for consultations with the parties, directly and by phone, is on all working days from 12:00 to 14:00.
Contact phone: 020 482 415 and 020 482 416.
NGO funding
Continuous budget support for NGO projects and programs is one of the most important aspects of improving the enabling environment for their activities, as well as a mechanism for improving cooperation and strengthening mutual trust.
By introducing a new funding model, through amendments to the Law on Non-Governmental Organizations from 2017, we have achieved a connection between strategic goals in areas of public interest with the activities of non-governmental organizations, which is aimed at quality and effective implementation of public policies. The strategic approach in planning results in a rational channeling of budget funds to activities that will achieve concrete, visible benefits for target groups and end users.
Amendments to the Law for the first time set a minimum percentage of 0.5% of the current budget that will be allocated for these purposes annually, or at least 0.3% for areas of public interest, 0.1% for the protection of persons with disabilities, at least 0.1% for co-financing EU projects.
Public tenders for co-financing EU projects and programs implemented by NGOs in Montenegro
Every year, in March, the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media publishes a public tender on its website for the distribution of funds for co-financing projects and programs of non-governmental organizations supported by European Union funds. The procedure and manner of co-financing projects and programs of NGOs supported from European Union funds are prescribed by the Regulation on the procedure and manner of co-financing projects and programs of non-governmental organizations supported from the European Union funds.
NGOs registered and operating in Montenegro, with projects / programs that are fully or partially implemented in Montenegro and that are project / program holders or partners in their implementation, can apply for the public tender.
The request for the allocation of funds for co-financing of non-governmental organizations can be submitted no later than December 1 of the current year.
All information on public tenders for co-financing the EU projects and programs implemented by NGOs in Montenegro can be obtained via e-mail: kofinansiranje@mju.gov.me
Portal on financing NGO projects and programs
All information on funded projects and programs of non-governmental organizations from public sources is available on the web portal www.finansiranjenvo.me
The portal presents data on programs and projects of non-governmental organizations financed in accordance with the Law on Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as those supported by the Fund for Minorities and the Commission for Allocation of Part of Revenues from Game of Chance from budget funds from 2009 till today.
The database is continuously being improved, and in the coming period it will also contain data on projects and programs of NGOs supported at the local level.