Key players(national and in big countries like Russia, Ukraine regional)

3.16 Key players(national and in big countries like Russia, Ukraine regional):

_NGO_service">> NGO service provision and training (who deliver support for other NGOs on national level(please provide numbers and brief description of their activity and contact details of at least 10 leading NGOs)

- TACSO – provides training and technical assistance to CSOs. During the past two years, TACSO realized training activities on management of EU project cycle (65 participants), fundraising (47 participants), public advocacy and lobbying (43 participants), organizational management (35 participants), participation in decision making process (22 participants), effective public policy paper writing (34), registration in PADOR (15), human resources management (13 participants), financial management (11 participants). CSOs showed by far the greatest interest in training on management of EU project cycle.

coalitions_of_NGOs,"> >coalitions of NGOs, especially umbrellas who coordinate the activities (please provide numbers and brief description of their activity and contact details)

Local associations are joined in national unions, such as the Union of the Blind of Montenegro, the (national) Association of Parents of Disabled Children “Nasa Inicijativa”, Association of Parents of Disabled Children “Nardos”, Montenegrin Pensioners’ Union, Association of Paraplegics’, etc.

In the period between 2009-2011, new networks and coalitions emerged, such as:

• Coalition for the rights of LGBT

• Natura 2000 –network of environmental NGOs

• CSO Network for Democracy and Human Rights

The biggest coalition is NGO Coalition “By Cooperation Towards Goal”, which was established in May 2006. It has produced three documents, and also campaigned for their adoption: cooperation strategy of the Government of Montenegro and NGOs (Government adopted this document in January of 2009 years), Code of NGO (Constituent Assembly of the Code has been held, the ordinances were adopted, presidency and self-regulatory body elected) and the new structure of financing NGOs from public sector funds (two versions of the Regulation for the allocation of revenues from games of chance, campaigning for establishing minimum percentage of funding in the Law on NGOs).

There are also non-formal networks and coalitions that are founded on ad hoc basis.

grant_makers(please_provide"> >grant makers(please provide numbers and brief description of their activity and contact details)

3.17 National/ regional portals, websites for NGOs, especially about NGO/ ICT (can be also in the language popular in region/country)

There are several electronic mailing lists for communication among CSOs, some of which are maintained by CRNVO and MANS, while NGOs in Niksic municipality has e-mail list managed by local NGO OZON.

Significant number of CSOs news and information can also be found on the web site of CRNVO - http://www.crnvo.me/.

Significant e-support to CSOs comes from to news portals:

• 
  E-balkan – established by NGO “35mm”.
  
• 
  Pcnen – established by NGO “PRO NEN” and Dragoljub Vukovic, a prominent local journalist.
  

Other CSO initiatives and non-formal organizations

3.21 Interesting new technology movements, initiatives (non formal)

Facebook is one of the most popular platforms for non-formal initiatives, and these are mostly initiatives of protests (e.g. against hydroplants on Moraca river, against increase of electricity bills...). Usually these kind of non-formal initiatives have grown/transformed into formal associations of CSOs. There are numerous independent local blogs and portals created by active citizens. Usually they are established in opposition to local or national policies.
Examples:

• 
  PROTESTS – Facebook page of people who support current protests against increase of electricity bills and demand improvement of social status of Montenegrin citizens.
  

• 
  Digitalizuj.Me – Movement for gathering existing Montenegrin digital community, establishing a platform for exchange of views, knowledge and experiences and increasing awareness on the role and importance of digital ways of communication and internet trends.
  

• 
  Anonymous Montenegro – Facebook page that gathers Anonimous members from Montenegro who promote attitudes for social changes in the society and fight against SOPA/POPA and ACTA legal proposals.
  

3.22 Well known individuals acting for social change

• 
  Rade Bojovic, Co-owner and director of legal consulting company "MEDIA", Founder and Board Member of CEDEM (Center for democracy and human rights), former Board Member of the Soros Foundation in Montenegro, former Coordinator of the Movement for Independent European Montenegro.
  
• 
  Srđa Keković – Secretary General of the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro.
  
• 
  Janko Vucinic – trade union leader.
  
• 
  Blagoje Grahovac – former Army general.
  
• 
  Demir Hodzic – student leader (Student Union of Montenegro)
  
• 
  Dritan Abazovic – B.Sc. in political sciences, active in forming of a civic oriented political party in Montenegro.
  

3.23 Interesting campaigns, projects using ICT

Facebook is one of the most popular platforms for non-formal initiatives. Also there are numerous independent local blogs and portals created by active citizens. Usually they are established in opposition to local or national public policy or as promoters of specific social changes. Unfortunately they are rather fragmented and they rarely influential, although they can be very vocal.

Good example might be FB campaigns “Stop Hydro Plants On Moraca River”, “Against Construction Of Hydro Plants On Moraca River” and online petition “Mind In The Head, Correct The Plan” which promoted environmental protection and advocated for not having hydro plants on Moraca river (near Podgorica).

Another good example might be FB page which promotes PROTESTS in Montenegro demanding accountable governance, improvement of the social position of Montenegrin citizens and strict fight against corruption and organized crime.

4. Visible social issues

4.1 What are the most visible social issues

Montenegro has progressed through a profound transformation of its social, economic and political structures since the fall of socialism. Significant change has been made after gaining independence, since Montenegro economy realized significant growth rates, the country has become member of most of international organizations and associations and it started the process EU integrations.

However, national economic statistics do not reflect the social challenges that many Montenegrins face in their daily lives. The low living standards results in a large part from the consequences of the structural changes that took place during the transition from a centralized to a market economy.

The unemployment rate remains relatively high (19.70% in 2010) with 42% of unemployed youth under 25 6.6% of population living below the absolute poverty line.

Vulnerable social groups in particular – such as former employees of „social companies“, women over 50 years of age, social minorities, the physically and mentally disabled – have limited opportunities in the quickly changing and highly competitive labor market. People in vulnerable social groups do not have the skills to productively participate in economic life, face considerable discrimination from potential employers and, as a result, continue to rely predominantly on state aid.

Some groups, particularly the Roma, disabled and homosexuals, are subject to discrimination in employment and housing.

Domestic violence against women remains a serious concern. Drug addiction is another significant problem in the country.

Still, the most visible are those issues that influence almost all ordinary citizens, such as corruption, bad privatizations, unemployment, budget cuts, etc.

5. Environment

Basic facts:

5.1 Population⁴⁸,

661,807 (July 2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 167

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 50,060/female 52,823)

15-64 years: 71% (male 244,057/female 225,620)

65 years and over: 13.5% (male 35,551/female 53,696) (2011 est.)

Median age:

total: 37.8 years

male: 36.5 years

female: 39.2 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.705% (2011 est.), country comparison to the world: 226

Birth rate:

11 births/1,000 population (2011 est.), country comparison to the world: 174

Death rate:

8.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.), country comparison to the world: 74

Urbanization:

urban population: 61% of total population (2010)

rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities – population:

PODGORICA (capital) 144,000 (2009)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.072 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

5.2 Government⁴⁹

Country name: Montenegro (conventional short form), Crna Gora (local short form),

Country abbreviation: MNE

Government type: Republic
Administrative divisions: 21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak
Independence: 3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

National holiday: National Day, 13 July (1878)

Independence Day, May 21 (2006 – referendum)

Constitution: approved 19 October 2007 (by the Assembly)

Legal system: Civil law

5.3 Capital

Podgorica

geographic coordinates: 42 26 N, 19 16 E

time difference: UTC+1

population: 144,000 (2009)

5.4 Life Expectancy at Birth⁵⁰

• 
  76.65 (2009) for females
  
• 
  74.15 (2009) for males
  

5.5 Literacy Rate⁵¹

POPULATION AGED 10 AND OVER, BY LITERACY, SEX, AND AGE GROUPS, ACCORDING TO CENSUSES

	Population aged 10 and over	Illiterate				Illiterate population, %		Age structure of illiterate population, in %
		Total		Males	Females			Total	Males	Females
	CENSUS 2003
TOTAL	537898	12617	2006		10611		2,35	100.0	100.0	100.0
10 – 19 years	94601	625	301		324		0.66	4.95	15.00	3.05
20 – 34 years	135479	700	295		405		0.52	5.55	14.71	3.82
35 – 64 years	228116	2229	526		1703		0.98	17.67	26.22	16.05
65 and over	74160	8714	832		7882		11.75	69.07	41.48	74.28
Unknown	5542	349	52		297		6.30	2.77	2.59	2.80

POPULATION AGED 15 AND OVER, BY SEX AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

	All	Males	Females	Structure by educational attainment, in %
				All		Males		Females
	2003 CENSUS
TOTAL	492684	239322	253362	100.0	100.0		100.0		TOTAL
No school education	21210	5024	16186	4,3	2,1		6,39		No school education
1–3 grades of primary school	6831	1525	5306	1,39	0,64		2,09		1–3 grades of primary school
4–7 grades of primary school	40655	13127	27528	8,25	5,49		10,87		4–7 grades of primary school
Primary education	113085	50671	62414	22,95	21,17		24,63		Primary education
Secondary education	238671	127621	111050	48,44	53,33		43,83		Secondary education
Schools for QW and HQ	71033	46346	24687	14,42	19,36		9,74		Schools for QW and HQ
Gymnasiums	34944	14166	20778	7,09	5,92		8,21		Gymnasiums
Secondary vocational schools	122911	62226	60685	24,95	26,01		23,95		Secondary vocational schools
Secondary specialized schools	8358	3900	4458	1,70	1,63		1,76		Secondary specialized schools
Schools for specialization	1425	983	442	0,28	0,41		0,17		Schools for specialization
High (advanced) education	24822	14186	10636	5,04	5,93		4,20		High (advanced) education
Higher education	37017	21155	15862	7,51	8,84		6,26		Higher education
Unknown	10393	6013	4380	2,11	2,51		1,72		Unknown

Number of persons aged between 16 and 74 years which used a computer is 53.2%, while the percentage of those who have never used a computer is 46.8%. In regards with internet use, 46.5% of persons reported that they have used internet, whereas there are 76.6% of those used internet on a daily basis or almost every day, and 17.5% of persons use internet at least once a week.

5.6 Ethnic groups

Montenegrins (44.98%), Serbs (28.73%), Bosniaks (8,65%), Albanians (4.91%), Muslims (3.31%), Roma (1.01%), Croats (0.97%), undefined (4.87%) – census 2011⁵².

Social:

5.7 Do citizens enjoy a high level of freedom of association / speech / and internet? any barriers to activities, resources, entry

As you can see further in this Landscape (point 5.14 Political) by the annual report “Freedoms of the world” for 2011 of Freedom House, Montenegro is seen as a free country with rank 3 for political rights and rank 2 for civil rights.

Citizens enjoy a high level of freedom of association, speech and internet, but still there is space to improve it.

5.8 Environment around civil society ref: National Civicus Reports

From 2005 to 2006, the Civil Society Index⁵³ was implemented in Montenegro by the Center for Development of Non-governmental Organisations (CRNVO), with the international coordination of CIVICUS. If we compare results of the CSI with current environment around the civil society, we cannot see big improvement. An Assessment of Montenegrin Civil Society in 2006 might be the same in 2012: Uncertain Future.

The CSI findings reflect a relatively underdeveloped Montenegrin civil society that has a rather weak structure, operates in a slightly disabling environment, has somewhat limited impact on society and promotes and practices positive values to a moderate extent.

Montenegro is a centralized state, whose administrative capacities are extremely limited. Citizens perceive corruption in the public sector to be very high. The general level of trust among citizens is low, as is social tolerance and public spiritedness.

CSOs in Montenegro are not well connected and their alliances are generally unsuccessful in terms of achieving their proclaimed goals. Cooperation among civic associations is relatively rare. Financial issues are among the key problems facing civil society’s structure. Most organizations even have difficulty with basic working conditions, being technically under-equipped.

The political, socio-cultural, legal and socio-economic frameworks in the environment dimension are not very favourable for the development of civil society in Montenegro. The tax system is not conducive to civil society’s development.

Financial transparency of CSOs is an important problem for the development of the entire sector.

This contributes to the overall impression that there is occasional corruption within CSOs. Its efforts to hold the government and private sector accountable are also limited.

The level of citizens’ trust in CSOs is relatively low, even though higher than the one of state institutions. In Montenegro key civil society activities that are recognized and accepted are those concerning fight against corruption, empowerment of marginalized groups and environmental protection. As the government withdraws from certain social programmes, civil society is also emerging as a significant provider of social services. Providing services to marginalized groups is an important area where CSOs are able to fulfill their missions.
Key improvement has been realized when it comes to dialogue between the state and civil society and financial support from the government to CSOs. Due to EU integration process and agenda that Montenegro Government had to fulfill in 2011, a number of NGOs have been perceived as partners to the Government in the process, a National Council for cooperation between Government and NGOs has been established, new Law on NGOs has been adopted and according to the Law since 2012 financial support from the government will cover a large number of social issues that can be tackled by the programmes of civil society organizations. The Government will not increase amount of funding to the civil society, but it will increase support to a significant number of issues dealt by the civil society.
Comparing to 2006, structure of support to CSOs has been significantly changed. Significant number of foreign donors left the country; an indigenous foundation has been established (Fund for Active Citizenship – fAKT) with a limited budget for support to development of social services, civic engagement of citizens and development of local communities; financial support from the Government and support received by the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and IPA funds has became main sources of funding to NGOs.
There is also a slight increase of philanthropy in the country comparing to 2006, but its influence to sustainability of CSOs is significantly endangered by current economic crisis. Beside significant impact that CSOs permanently have on the society, civil sector recently started to improve its position when dealing with political issues connected to the environment and social issues. For the first time, since establishment of NGO sector in Montenegro, there has been established a close cooperation between NGOs and other groups of the civil society, such as trade union, student organizations and media.
Conclusion concerning future of the civil society could be the same as stated in CSI for 2006: “Civil society’s further development will depend a great deal upon the general economic development in Montenegro and upon the creation of a middle class consisting of active citizens willing to support initiatives of common interest”.

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