Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD)

The Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media together with the representatives of the Union of Municipalities, civil sector and the EU Delegation to Montenegro through membership in the Partner Committee monitors the implementation of the Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD) implemented by the UNDP in six countries of the region, and financed by the EU.

The project aims to empower civil society to actively participate in decision-making, strengthen participatory democracy and partnerships between local governments and civil society by building and expanding a transparent approach to funding the NGOs from NGO budgets, in order to address community needs. At the same time, the goal is to improve the stimulating legal and financial environment for civil society.

In the previous period, ReLOaD in Montenegro was implemented in five local self-government units: Kotor, Nikšić, Pljevlja, Podgorica and Tivat. Within ReLOaD, a total of 50 projects were implemented by 37 non-governmental organizations, with the participation of about 7,000 beneficiaries.

Over half a million euros were allocated through 13 competitions to non-governmental organizations in five municipalities, while 25,600 euros were spent to combat the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic among socially vulnerable categories of the population.

The Phase II of the ReLOad project, which will be implemented in the next 4 years, has just started, and the modalities are envisaged that will help the smaller municipalities to get the opportunity to participate in the program, improve their capacities for transparent distribution of funds to NGOs, and their NGOs receive support for the implementation of projects of community interest.