Contribution to the inclusion of minorities in the political life of Montenegro

The aim of the project is to contribute to the achievement of complete equality of minority people and other minority national communities with other persons in Montenegro through strengthening the capacities of members of minority people and other national minority communities and contribution to their involvement in the political life of Montenegro.

The target group of the project consists of councils of national minorities and representatives of minority people and other minority national communities who will directly participate in the implementation of project activities.

Taking into account the increased level of discrimination against minorities, the insufficient participation of minorities in decision-making positions and the lack of political participation that would empower members of minorities to participate equally in political and public life (especially when it comes to women), there is a real need of members of minority nations to be empowered, not only when it comes to the knowledge of the legal regulations concerning their minority rights, but also the way in which they can use their rights and influence in process of creation public policies that will have positive impact of their social position. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Minority Policy Strategy 2019-2023 recognizes that it is necessary to work on education of members of minorities about the importance of political participation and participation in political dialogue, electoral processes, and political opportunities in general.

A contribution to the improvement of the situation in the area will be made through the implementation of a set of activities related to strengthening the capacity of organizations that deal with the protection of the rights of members of minority nations and other minority national communities to contribute to the improvement of their political participation in Montenegro, raising the awareness of members of minority nations and other minority national communities and the general public about their rights and position in society, as well as the implementation of an advocacy campaign for a greater degree of inclusion of minority people and other minority national communities in the decision-making system in Montenegro.

The project is financially supported by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights.