Young people have the knowledge, energy and initiative to drive change, but society must provide them with opportunities to realise their full potential. This was the key message conveyed today at the signing of contracts between the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) and 12 civil society organisations (CSOs), whose projects have been supported under the second call of the programme “SINERGY Montenegro – Strengthening Youth Networks and Empowering Resilient Groups and Youth in Montenegro.”
This year’s cycle is focused on strengthening the capacities of organisations working with youth, with a particular emphasis on their employment, participation in democratic reforms and more effective implementation of youth policies, with 12 projects supported in the total amount of €167,109.51.
“Investing in young people today means investing in a more stable, fairer and more resilient society tomorrow. Through this support, we are strengthening a network of actors committed to improving the position of young people and encouraging their more active participation in society. Young people are an important partner in Montenegro’s democratisation and European integration processes – not only as beneficiaries of policies, but also as their active creators,” said Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director of the CCE, at the contract signing.
“The Ministry of Sport and Youth continuously works to improve the youth sector and enhance the position of young people in our country, and this project represents an important step forward in that direction. We are also proud of our intensified cooperation with CCE and believe that, by joining our efforts, knowledge and experience, we can bring about positive change for young people in Montenegro, said Milica Adžić, Independent Advisor at the Ministry of Sport and Youth, wishing all supported NGOs success in their work and the achievement of visible and meaningful results.
Representatives of the supported organisations, whose projects address the specific needs of young people across different regions and fields, highlighted the importance of this support for their local communities and target groups.
“Our project is aimed at improving the employability and social inclusion of young people through the development of career, digital and entrepreneurial skills. Through a public call, we plan to select 20 young people who will, in addition to workshops, take part in a mentorship programme designed as concrete support for strengthening their competitiveness in the labour market. We are also strongly focused on creating better opportunities for young people in the northern region. We believe that programmes of this kind serve as a bridge between the education system and the world of work,” said Ćazim Lisičić, Executive Director of the Fund for Progressive Policies, whose project is among those supported in this cycle.
The Montenegrin Youth Health Organisation will focus on empowering young people through digital activism and mental health protection. “We expect to significantly improve health literacy in the field of mental health and strengthen resilience among young people, with a particular focus on digital activism. Through education, mentorship and a network of mental health ambassadors, our goal is to create sustainable support mechanisms within the community. We see investing in young people as investing in a more resilient, informed and solidarity-based future for Montenegro,” said Elena Miletić, Project Coordinator in this organisation.
The Association of Wood Processors in Berane plans to work directly on strengthening young people’s skills and connecting them with the private sector in northern Montenegro. “The aim of our project is to improve the employability of young people from the NEET category in Berane through the development of practical skills and direct links with employers. At least 20 young people will undergo labour market training, while five of them will be given the opportunity to complete paid professional internships with local employers in the wood-processing sector, with the possibility of permanent employment. Through the implementation of this initiative, we are increasing employability and strengthening cooperation between the local economy and the civil sector, while creating a sustainable model of support for young people in the employment process in northern Montenegro,” said Mladen Šćekić, founder of the organisation.
The SINERGY Montenegro programme is implemented by the CCE, in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and NGO Multimedial Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport and Youth, with financial support from the European Union and co-financing from the Ministry of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with NGOs.
Milica Borozan, Project Assistant