Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022: “Accountability and profesionalism of the judicial system in Montenegro”

Posted on

August 1, 2021

The rule of law, respect for human rights and democratic governance are at the heart of the EU accession process. To support reform processes in these areas, the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE) have been closely cooperating in the Western Balkans and Turkey through the Horizontal Facility for many years.

This project is part of the Horizontal Facility II and is aimed at further enhancing the overall quality of service of the judicial system of Montenegro. It focuses on capacity building of crucial judicial institutions in Montenegro, in particular by supporting the implementation of codes of ethics and judicial accountability mechanisms. It also promotes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, while enhancing the quality of mediation services and tools for their monitoring and improvement.

The project empowers legal practitioners to contribute to justice reform in a transparent and accountable manner and actively supports them in implementing the objectives and measures of the Judicial Reform Strategy 2019-2022 and of the Action Plan for Montenegro’s accession to the EU for Chapter 23. In short, the project addresses key issues related to reform of the judiciary in Montenegro.

More about the Horizontal Facility Programme

The first phase of the programme ran from 2016 to 2019, while the second phase covers the period from 2019 to 2022. The total value of the facility is approximately €41 million (85% funded by the EU, 15% by the CoE). In the first phase of the programme, there were six beneficiary-specific actions for Montenegro, with a total budget of €3.33 million. In the second phase, €4.7 million have been allocated for seven actions, covering all the key areas of the Horizontal Facility such as: justice reform, human rights protection, prison and police reform, fight against economic crime, fight against discrimination and inclusive education.

Project name:

Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022: “Accountability and profesionalism of the judicial system in Montenegro”

Sector:

Rule of Law

Start time:

01/05/2019

End time:

01/05/2022

Location:

Montenegro

Budget:

800000.00€

Beneficiary:

Council of Europe (CoE)

More info:

www.coe.int/en/web/podgorica/accountability-and-professionalism-of-the-judicial-system-in-montenegro1

News:

Additonal materials:

Grants

More Transparent Montenegrin Courts

It was implemented by the European Youth Centre of Montenegro, with an aim to improve the transparency of the work of judicial institutions in Montenegro and the knowledge and skills of NGOs and media representatives for greater participation in the judicial reform process by increasing the participation in trial monitoring. Within this sub-grant it was signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the NGO European Youth Center and the High Court in Bijelo Polje, as well as conducted trial monitoring in 6 basic courts and the High Court in Bijelo Polje and prepared a report on that.

Analysis of Choice of Judges and Prosecutors in Montenegro

It was implemented by the Human Rights Action (HRA), with an aim of strengthening the independence of the judiciary and achieving a higher level of public trust in independent judiciary. More specifically, this sub-grant contributed to checking the transparency and objectivity of the election of judges and state prosecutors; improving the transparency and objectivity of procedures for the selection of judges and state prosecutors; and improving the capacity of CSOs to analyze the work of the judiciary in relation to the procedures for the election of judges and prosecutors. Within the sub-grant, HRA prepared a report with conclusions on the application of existing regulations, as well as recommendations for improving regulations and practices in order to increase the transparency and objectivity of election procedures.

Dummy Grant

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MIROVNO – Media and Roma organizations on peer violence in education

Implemented by the NGO Monitor Center for Media and Democracy, with an aim to help reducing the level of peer violence against Roma youth. In order to raise awareness of peer violence against members of the Roma community, this sub-grant included production of several research articles. In the research process were also involved journalists from the Roma portal “Romalitika”.

Theater against peer violence

Implemented by the NGO Taraba Training Center, with an aim to prevent peer violence by raising students' awareness about the problem of violence and its consequences through applied theater. With this sub-grant was supported development of the theater play "They Wanted Something Else", based on text by Milena Depolo. The play deals with various forms of peer violence and relationships among young people during the high school period. It was shown in 10 cities in Montenegro, and gathered more than 3,500 spectators. The play received an extraordinary reaction from the audience, including students, teachers and parents, who recognized its message and importance.

Meet, recognize and report e-violence

Implemented by the NGO ZINAK, with an aim to establish a mechanism for the prevention and protection against e-violence among school-age children. Within this sub-grant, 34 workshops and panel discussions about e-violence and cyber bullying were organised. It reached more than 800 students, teachers and parents, supporting them to strengthen their capacities in the fight against e-violence. Also, it supported development of the web site www.stopnasilju.me which serves for providing information about peer violence, reporting the cases of peer violence, as well as to receiving necessary support.

Meet and recognize violence

Implemented by the NGO Children of Montenegro, with an aim to contribute to the prevention of Internet violence against and among children, through the implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable prevention program, and capacity building of teachers and children in schools and other institutions to combat Internet violence. This sub-grant involved 700 students, 65 teachers and 60 parents. It included organization of capacity building training for teaching staff; panels for parents; and workshops, research and presentations for students on how to recognise and prevent Internet violence against and among children. Also, within this sub-grant was formed a working group that developed guidelines and a manual how to prevent and combat e-violence.

Keep it in mind

Implemented by the NGO TNT, with an aim to contribute to prevention of peer violence and students as content creators in the fight against peer violence. Within this sub-grant, a competition for short stories and casting for a play on the topic of peer violence were organised, for young people aged 14 to 18. A total of 68 articles from all over Montenegro were submitted to the competition and authors of the three best stories were awarded. Also, 23 stories were selected and published within the collection of stories "Keep in mind”. A total of 9 young students/actors from three high schools in Podgorica were selected to participate in the play "Puppet". The play was played four times, until the end of the implementation period of this sub-grant.

Tolerance is our choice

Implemented by the NGO SOS line for women and children victims of violence – Ulcinj, with an aim to increase the level of prevention of violence among young people in Ulcinj and empower them to oppose violence at all levels. More specifically, it was aimed at creating a positive school environment in which everyone feels safe, accepted and respected. It included 8 workshops for primary and secondary school students, which were conducted through two developed programs: "Creating a positive classroom" and "10 facts about school violence". These workshops were followed by the distribution of educational material, which was produced in both Montenegrin and Albanian. As the final activity, within this sub-grant was organised a round table with local actors, who had the opportunity to discuss some of the possible joint initiatives to combat peer violence at the local level.