Support for initiatives that address youth-related issues is essential for empowering young people and their potential in Montenegro, particularly in terms of youth activism, as stated, among other, during the first meeting of the Technical Committee, held within the project “SYNERGY Montenegro – Strengthening Youth Networks and Empowering More Resilient Groups and Youth in Montenegro,” implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) in cooperation with the German Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the NGO Multimedial from Bijelo Polje, with financial support from the EU Delegation to Montenegro.
The overall objective of the project, which will last for 36 months, is to contribute to improving the position and opportunities for youth in Montenegro. The largest part of the project will focus on supporting organizations whose activities are directed at youth, while another part will advocate for enhancing the framework for youth employability and more effective implementation of youth policies.
During the Technical Committee meeting, representatives of partner organizations and the EU Delegation in Montenegro specified the work plan for the first year, particularly the details of the upcoming Call for project proposals aimed at youth empowerment.
Kirsten Schönefeld, Director of the FES Regional Office based Belgrade, expressed satisfaction with the continued cooperation between FES and CCE through this project. “At FES, we are very happy to partner with CCE on this significant project. We believe that empowering young people in Montenegro, encouraging their civic and political participation, and supporting youth initiatives are key to building and strengthening democracy in Montenegro,” Schönefeld assessed.
“This project is very important for our organization as it provides us with the opportunity to collaborate with serious and experienced partners, such as CCE and FES. Also, we are pleased that the EU recognizes the importance of youth, especially the youth in the North of Montenegro, who face numerous challenges, including youth migration from this region,” noted Željko Đukić, President of the NGO Multimedial. He also pointed out the lack of motivation of young people to take initiative, influence decision-makers and fight for their rights. “This project can contribute to the change of that image and give young people the opportunity to be more actively involved in social processes,” he added, explaining that the project aligns with European strategic documents, particularly the Youth Guarantee programme.
Nikola Đurašević, Programme Associate at CCE, emphasized that the SYNERGY Montenegro project represents an important step in supporting youth and their interests in Montenegro. “Our goal is to support various initiatives that address youth needs, and the upcoming Call for proposals will be an opportunity for different organizations to present their innovative ideas. The CCE has been continuously working on fostering youth activism and participation in social processes, and this project will further strengthen that effort,” Đurašević concluded.
Tijana Vukčević, Project Assistant