Centre for Civic Education (CCE) today submitted an initiative to the Women’s Club of the Parliament of Montenegro calling for amendment action to redirect a portion of the budget funds planned for the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU) under the Draft Law on the Budget for 2026.
This initiative specifically addresses the lack of visible results of CANU’s work, numerous controversies, and the continuous neglect of the principles of gender equality, despite the constant increase in its budget. For these reasons, on 19 December 2025, the CCE had already submitted to all parliamentary groups an initiative to reduce CANU’s budget.
According to the Draft Law on the Budget for 2026, an amount of EUR 3,131,196.18 has been planned for CANU, which represents the highest allocation so far – 9% more compared to 2025 and as much as 135% more compared to 2021.
Investment in science and innovation is undeniably important, especially in a small country such as Montenegro. However, the continuous increases in CANU’s budget have not been accompanied by adequate results, public engagement, or recognisable visibility of its work. Therefore, it is necessary to reassess the justification of such allocations and align the budget with actual performance.
The CCE proposed to the Women’s Club that CANU’s budget for 2026 be reduced by a total of EUR 1,500,000. Of this amount, EUR 500,000 would be redirected to the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, as support for young scientists – both women and men – through research projects, professional development and the equipping of laboratories, thereby creating real opportunities for young talents, which are currently lacking within CANU’s activities, particularly bearing in mind CANU’s pronounced closedness towards women.
The remaining EUR 1,000,000 would be redirected to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, for the establishment of a separate budget line to support single parents, especially in the field of education and skills development for their children.
According to UNDP data, women in Montenegro will not achieve full gender equality over their lifetime. A particularly vulnerable group are single parents, primarily single mothers, due to low child support payments and the frequent failure of the other parent to fulfil their obligations. Monstat data from 2025 show that in Montenegro there are 16,791 single parents whose children are under the age of 25, while the 2023 Census recorded 12,961 single mothers, i.e. 77.18%. Compared to 2011, their number has increased by 1,624, or 14.32%.
Previous efforts of the Women’s Club have also resulted in the establishment of the Child Support Fund, representing an important step forward in protecting this group. The proposed reallocations are an opportunity to further strengthen support for single parents, while also investing in young scientists upon whom the future development of society rests.
The CCE believes that taxpayers’ funds must be spent rationally, transparently and in line with the public interest. Investing in an institution that does not demonstrate sufficient responsibility towards public funds, while numerous social issues remain insufficiently addressed, cannot be considered justified. The proposed budget reallocations can simultaneously contribute to strengthening social security and developing Montenegro’s scientific potential.
Sara Čabarkapa, Active Citizenship Programme Coordinator