LocationsCooperation of NGOs and local self-governments for a more active community
ReLOaD2 – Contracts with non-governmental organisations worth 360.000 euros signed
July 9, 2022
Removal of ecological black spots, the opening of new services for retired citizens, the digitisation of cultural heritage, the improvement of the business environment and the creation of new tourist attractions – these are just some of the many important projects 37 non-governmental organisations received support for that will directly improve the quality of life of local communities.
The projects of non-governmental organisations, with which contracts worth a total of 360,000 euros were signed in recent days, were selected through ReLOaD2 public calls, based on the application of a reliable methodology for the distribution of funds to civil society from the local budget.
A transparent and project-oriented approach to the allocation of funds to the non-governmental sector is the essence of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans - ReLOaD2, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. In Montenegro, ReLOaD2 is implemented in five clusters of municipalities that were selected through public calls:
Tara – the municipalities of Mojkovac, Kolasin and Pljevlja,
Coastal Mates – the municipalities of Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor and Tivat,
Together for the North – the municipalities of Andrijevica and Berane,
Niksic and Pluzine together – the municipalities of Niksic and Pluzine,
The Central Region – the Capital City of Podgorica, the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje, the municipality within the Capital city of Podgorica – Golubovci and the Municipality of Danilovgrad.
Thanks to the financial and advisory assistance of the ReLOaD team, selected local self-governments will strengthen the partnership between local authorities, civil society, and youth for the benefit of citizens and local communities. The aspiration of the ReLOaD2 programme is greater participation of citizens, especially young people, in decision-making processes and the improvement of the provision of public services. The concept of a cluster of municipalities contributes to the exchange of experiences not only between municipalities, but also between organisations from different municipalities, which leads to networking and even better projects in the future.
Following the public calls that were published during March and April separately for each cluster of municipalities, the committee selected the best ideas and the highest quality projects from the 94 received applications. The entire list of selected NGOs can be seen at this link. The public calls came after public hearings in all municipalities, whose aim was to determine priorities and ensure that the selected projects reflected local needs and the community's authentic effort to solve challenges.
The specificity of the ReLOaD2 programme is reflected in the fact that a special budget line is intended for newly established non-governmental organisations and organisations working with youth, which made it easier for NGOs without previous experience in project management to apply.
In addition to this, ReLOaD2 ensured that all interested non-governmental organisations were provided with intensive training and mentoring support related to writing project proposals. This was an opportunity for NGOs to better prepare and improve their capacities. Non-governmental organisations that receive funds learn how to implement projects in a fair and transparent manner during the implementation itself, thanks to the continuing support of the ReLOaD team. In addition, they also learn how to promote good practices towards citizens and other interested groups.
More information about the ReLOaD programme and subsequent public calls for non-governmental organisations, can be found on the links below:
