Centre for Civic Education (CCE) considers that the public is insufficiently informed about the Encyclopedia of Montenegro project, implemented by the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU), particularly regarding the use of public funds as well as the selection of engaged collaborators.
The Encyclopedia of Montenegro is defined by the Law on the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, in Article 17, which stipulates that CANU prepares the Encyclopedia of Montenegro and other national encyclopedias in the fields of science and arts, as well as publications of the most significant scientific and literary works in the Montenegrin language or languages in official use, and works in other languages of special importance to Montenegro.
According to the Rulebook on the Preparation of the Encyclopedia of Montenegro, adopted on 31 July 2024 during the tenure of CANU President Dragan Vukčević, this project is designated as a “project of capital importance for Montenegrin culture.” The Rulebook also stipulates that work on the Encyclopedia should begin on 1 September 2024 and be completed by 31 December 2028.
The organization of work is entrusted to the Editorial Board of the Encyclopedia of Montenegro, whose members are appointed by the CANU Presidency, as well as the Chief and Responsible Editor, while the Editorial Board may appoint a deputy. The Rulebook stipulates that the project is financed from the CANU budget and other sources, and members of the Editorial Board are entitled to monthly allowances determined by the CANU Presidency.
The Editorial Board of the Encyclopedia was appointed on 29 August 2024, with Dragan Vukčević elected as Chief and Responsible Editor, though his presidential term at CANU has since ended. Nevertheless, under the current decision, he receives a monthly honorarium equal to 100% of the average net salary in Montenegro from the previous year, which has kept Vukčević among the highest earners at CANU. Notably, in 2025 alone, he received €40,446 from CANU.
The same decision stipulates that section editors receive a monthly allowance equal to 80% of the average net salary, while other members of the Editorial Board receive 60% of the average net salary in Montenegro from the previous year.
On 3 April 2025, the CANU Presidency also established the Editorial Committee of the Encyclopedia of Montenegro as a professional-advisory body to the Presidency and the Editorial Board, consisting of even 24 members. The CANU President also serves as the chairman of this committee, with sessions held at least once every four months, and more frequently if needed. Committee members, excluding the president, are entitled to a fee per session equal to one-quarter of the average salary in Montenegro from the previous year.
Additionally, throughout 2025, numerous other fees were paid – professional editors (30% of the average net salary in Montenegro from the previous year), members of sectional and thematic editorial boards for participation in meetings (20% of the average net salary per session), the Editorial Secretary (monthly allowance equal to 50% of the average net salary), secretaries of sectional and thematic editorial boards for participation in meetings (€150 net per session), as well as individuals engaged in IT, legal, financial, archival, and administrative tasks (10–25% of the average net salary in Montenegro).
Finally, according to all data provided by CANU to CCE and analyzed by CCE, €446,936.60 has already been spent on the Encyclopedia of Montenegro project – €174,926.10 in 2024 (even though the project officially began only on 1 September that year) and €272,010.50 in 2025. According to CANU’s proposed financial plan an additional €550,000 is expected to be spent in 2026. This means that in less than three years, almost one million euros (€996,936.60) will have been spent on this project, while the public still lacks clear information on the concrete results of the work so far.
CGO will continue to monitor the implementation of this project and will specifically analyze issues related to the selection and engagement of collaborators for the Encyclopedia of Montenegro.
Sara Čabarkapa, Active Citizenship Program Coordinator