Together with our member, Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO), we present the 2023 annual report on the civil society environment in Montenegro.
The environment for CSOs in Montenegro faces several challenges, including delays in the new Law on NGOs, with no draft delivered yet due to a lack of transparency. The CSO register is functional but contains limited data, lacking key details like contact information, funding, and staff numbers. The environment for CSO participation in policymaking is discouraging, with ministries neglecting their consultation obligations. The Strategy for Cooperation between State authorities and NGOs has low implementation, and the Council for Cooperation is non-functional. Service provision remains unregulated, and there is no protection for SLAPP targets. Additionally, tax benefits do not encourage giving, and CSOs are largely dependent on foreign funding.
Below, we present you the key findings and key recommendations:
KEY FINDINGS:
- There is not enough official data on the diversity of the civil society.
- Existing tax benefits do not encourage individual or corporate giving.
- The environment for CSO participation in policymaking is discouraging for CSOs.
- Service provision is not regulated by legislation.
- The implementation of the Strategy for cooperation between state authorities and NGOs is on a low level.
- The Council for cooperation between state authorities and NGOs is non-functional.
- Law on NGOs is in the drafting phase for over two years.
- The law does not provide early dismissal and protective mechanisms for SLAPP targets.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The Government should implement the Strategy on cooperation between State authorities and NGOs to the full extent.
- The working group for creation of the Law on NGOs should deliver the draft and include the wider public in the debate to deliver a high-quality document.
- The register of NGOs should be made available in open data format, including more types of data gathered.
- State funding for NGOs should include program funding and institutional grants.
- Comprehensive law on CSOs providing services should be drafted and adopted.
- Philanthropy should be encouraged through tax incentives for individuals and companies.
- Council for cooperation between State authorities and NGOs should be reestablished and made functional.
- Anti-SLAPP legislation should be introduced or incorporated into existing laws, providing protection and early dismissal of SLAPP cases.
This report is part of a series of country reports covering six countries in the Westerns Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Türkiye.
This report has been produced with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Interested in reading more? Find the full report HERE.