A delegation of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations of the Council of Europe (CINGO) paid its first official visit to Montenegro from 23 to 25 June 2026, during which it met with representatives of public institutions and civil society organisations to discuss civic space, the participation of civil society organisations (CSOs) in decision-making processes, and the conditions for their work and development.
The delegation met with representatives of the Ministry of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organisations, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms (Ombudsman), the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, and the Parliament of Montenegro. At the same time, through five thematic sessions coordinated by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), the delegation held discussions with representatives of more than 25 civil society organisations working in the fields of human rights, democratisation, youth policy, environmental protection, public health, media freedom, institutional accountability, and the fight against corruption.
The visit was organised to assess the state of participatory democracy, civic space, and cooperation between public institutions and civil society in Council of Europe member states. Throughout the meetings, the delegation sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of how cooperation mechanisms function, the extent to which civil society organisations are involved in public policymaking, and the key challenges to maintaining an enabling environment for their work.
“As the voice of civil society within the Council of Europe, we regularly organise visits to member states in order to gain a better understanding of the position of civil society in those countries. We also meet with government representatives, parliamentarians, and independent institutions to assess their commitment to ensuring meaningful civil society participation in decision-making processes. It is important for us to compare different perspectives directly and to gain first-hand insight into the state of civil society in each country, as conditions, traditions, and expectations differ across the Council of Europe’s 46 member states. Ultimately, we hope that the recommendations contained in our report will contribute positively to the country’s further development,” said Dr Gerhard Ermischer, President of CINGO.
“The democratisation of any society is impossible without an active, independent, and strong civil society that participates in this process. Civil society plays a vital role in driving social change and reforms. Our visit to Montenegro therefore provides an opportunity to assess the extent to which independent civil society is supported, included, and heard in political processes and public debates, as well as whether the legislative framework enables and safeguards the fundamental rights that are a prerequisite for citizens’ active participation in shaping Montenegro’s future,” explained Marija Dale, Director of the Human Rights House Foundation and member of the CINGO delegation.
“This visit comes at an important moment for Montenegro, when expectations regarding EU accession are high and there is a growing perception that the integration process is nearing its conclusion. It is therefore important to independently assess the extent to which genuine cooperation exists between public institutions and civil society, as well as whether civil society organisations have the conditions necessary to operate independently and sustainably in practice. Although the legislative framework is largely in place, the key question is how consistently it is implemented and whether there is long-term political commitment to its further improvement,” said Mr Goran Miletić, member of the Expert Council on NGO Law and member of the CINGO delegation.
“My stay in Montenegro has left a strong impression on me. It is a country whose qualities are not immediately apparent, yet one with tremendous potential. I sincerely wish it a secure path towards the European family, and I am convinced that a strong and independent civil society can make a significant contribution to that journey,” said Simon Mathijsen, member of the CINGO Standing Committee.
Representatives of civil society organisations shared with the delegation their experiences from their respective fields of work, the challenges they face, and recommendations for strengthening the position of civil society and participatory democracy in Montenegro. Discussions focused on human rights, civic space, participation in decision-making, the sustainability of civil society organisations, the treatment of organisations critical of the authorities, the position of young people, institutional accountability, media freedom, the need for stronger civil society involvement in public policymaking, improved consultation mechanisms, more predictable funding, and stronger institutional support for civic activism.
“This was an important opportunity to reiterate the need for the voice of civil society to be heard more seriously and given greater consideration. I particularly emphasised our concern over the practice of adopting legislation despite appeals and warnings from civil society organisations, as such an approach weakens trust and limits the space for genuine cooperation between the Government and civil society,” said Martina Markolović of Human Rights Action (HRA).
“Particular emphasis was placed on the need for the clear recognition of youth organisations and for their systematic and operational funding, because without stable support there can be no sustainable youth activism, stronger civic participation by young people, or a lasting contribution to the democratic development of society,” said David Vukićević, President of the Montenegro Youth Activism Network (MOACG).
Highlighting the importance of direct communication between domestic civil society organisations and European institutional mechanisms, Srđa Keković, Secretary General of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (USSCG), stated: “Since its establishment, USSCG has actively cooperated with civil society organisations, particularly those with whom we share common values in promoting democratic development and respect for human rights. This cooperation has enabled us to establish a direct connection with an important Council of Europe body and, whenever necessary, to present our positions directly before European institutions.”
“These meetings are invaluable because they allow international partners to gain a realistic understanding of the challenges we face. Civil society is not merely a watchdog of those in power; it is also a partner in developing better public policies. Greater transparency, stronger institutional accountability, and the meaningful involvement of civil society in decision-making processes contribute to building a more democratic and resilient society,” said Miodrag Vujović, Secretary General of KOD.
Nemanja Stankov, Head of the Public Policy Research Department at the Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI), described the exchange of views as highly valuable. “The key message I would highlight is that, in today’s uncertain economic environment, predictable funding and longer-term donor support are essential for the sustainability of civil society organisations and their continued contribution to democratisation and social development.”
“Montenegro needs support in addressing its challenges. Any external assistance aimed at advancing reforms and strengthening civil society—whether expert, political, logistical, media-related, or financial—is welcome. Meetings such as these are important because they also strengthen solidarity among civil society organisations within the country,” said Dr Milena Popović Samardžić, President of the Trade Union of Medical Doctors of Montenegro (SDMCG).
This was CINGO’s first mission to Montenegro. The delegation’s findings and recommendations will form part of a report to be published on CINGO’s official website and presented at one of the organisation’s forthcoming General Assemblies.
Aleksandra Mihaljević, Project Assistant