On World NGO Day – 27 February – Centre for Civic Education (CCE) reminds that the civil sector continues to generate positive perception among the citizens of Montenegro, despite the fact that NGOs, especially critically oriented NGOs, are subjected to political pressures and campaigns aimed at discrediting them, often with the support of the authorities.
In recent period, initiatives led by ruling parties, such as the proposal to adopt a Law on Foreign Influence Agents, indicate systematic efforts to restrict the space for independent NGO activities. CCE has strongly condemned this initiative, warning of authoritarian tendencies and attempts to suppress critical voices that expose differentsocial injustices and irregularities, particularly those defending human rights and promoting democratic reforms.
Findings from public opinion research on the role of civil society in Montenegro’s democratization and European integration, conducted by CCE and partners within the “CSOs in Montenegro – From Basic Services to Policy Shaping – M’BASE” project, with support from the EU Delegation to Montenegro and the Ministry of Public Administration, reveal that a majority of Montenegrin citizens (50.1%) hold a positive view of NGOs, while 47% believe that NGOs influence society, marking an increase compared to previous years.
The most pressing issues addressed by NGOs in democratization and European integration include human rights, judicial independence, and the rule of law, followed by anti-corruption efforts. Additionally, there has been a strengthening of civil society’s role in holding political decision-makers accountable and addressing transitional justice issues.
Notably, the percentage of people who believe that Montenegro lacks conditions for the development of independent NGOs that criticize and challenge the government when necessary has risen from 36.8% in 2021 to 43.1% in 2024.
Awareness of NGO activities has also increased, with more people following their work via traditional media and social networks. Furthermore, public support for NGOs as vocal critics of the government has grown – 45.7% in 2024 compared to 38.1% in 2021. However, opinions are divided on government-NGO cooperation – while 34.4% of citizens believe it has improved, 28.8% perceive it as worse than before.
Considering these empirical findings and the first-hand experiences of many NGOs, CCE urges decision-makers to ensure a more favorable environment for civil society organizations. It is essential that NGOs be substantively, rather than merely formally or symbolically, included in policymaking processes, especially regarding Montenegro’s European integration efforts.
Despite these challenges, NGOs remain key actors in promoting European values, human rights, and democratization, and CCE continues to work towards establishing fairer society for all Montenegrin citizens.
World NGO Day was proposed by philosopher and activist Marcis Liors Skadmanis in 2010 at the Baltic Sea NGO Forum and was officially marked for the first time in 2014 in Helsinki, with support from the United Nations, the EU, and international organizations. Today, it is globally recognized as an opportunity to highlight the importance of civil society in social change and human rights protection.
Nikola Đurašević, Programme Associate