Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022: “Action against economic crime 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.

The fight against economic crime is very high on the political agenda in the EU. Through this action, the EU and the CoE work together with the Montenegrin authorities to ensure accountability and transparency of institutions involved in the fight against corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

This action forms part of the Horizontal Facility II and is aimed at enhancing the rule of law and governance in Montenegro by strengthening mechanisms for preventing and fighting economic crime. New tools and methodologies developed with the support of the action will help national institutions to address corruption and money laundering more efficiently. A lower level of corruption and money laundering in practice means that citizens enjoy equal access to employment and services, while also enabling merit-based promotion, fewer barriers to small and medium-sized businesses, economic growth and a wealthier state. In other words, this action will result in improved legal and operational framework for preventing and combating corruption in Montenegro, as well as in enhanced institutional capacities/mechanisms for countering money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

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: “Action against economic crime in Montenegro”

Sector:

Rule of Law

Start time:

01/05/2019

End time:

01/05/2022

Location:

Montenegro

Budget:

700000.00€

Beneficiary:

Council of Europe (CoE)

More info:

www.coe.int/en/web/corruption/projects/aec-mne-phase-2
www.coe.int/en/web/podgorica/action-against-economic-crime-in-montenegro-phase-ii1

News:

Additonal materials:

Grants

Improving the capacity and sustainability of the Center for the Children’s Rights of Montenegro

It was implemented by the Center for Children’s Rights Podgorica, with an aim to develop a fundraising strategy for the organisational sustainability; and create preconditions for obtaining the License for Supported Housing Service for youth upon leaving the home “Mladost” in Bijela, for children without parental care. Through development and launching of a web portal for online consultations, the Center for Children’s Rights Podgorica additionally innovated its services in accordance to the needs of beneficiaries. The organisation also amended its strategic documents with the “Strategy for Fundraising Action Plan”, developed by an expert.

Improving Community Living Support Services using assistive technology

It was implemented by the Association of parents of children with disabilities- “Zracak nade” Pljevlja, with an aim to develop community living service by using assistive technology and preparing the program for official accreditation with relevant authorities. During its implementation period, a special conference on assistive technology was organized in Podgorica. Thanks to the use of assistive technology, the quality of the services of the organisation was improved and the Program for the use of assistive technology in working with children and youth with disabilities in associations and institutions of social care was developed and accredited.

Strengthening the capacity of Ecological movement Ozon

It was implemented by the Ecological movement “OZON” Niksic, with an aim to enhance the capacity of the organisation and other stakeholders involved in the negotiation process for Chapter 27 on Environment. With this sub-grant, visibility and media presence of the organisation increased, as well as its organisational capacity. Knowledge and skills of the OZON’s staff and associates improved in the areas of circular economy, waste management, eco-psychology, effective communication and information dissemination. Also, 2 directions of potential income-generating activities were identified: managing protected areas; and providing consultancy services regarding information and public participation in decision-making and eco-strategic marketing.

Establishing a home-care assistance service for children and youth with disabilities and strengthening the capacity of Nardos

It was implemented by the National Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities in Montenegro – NARDOS Podgorica, with an aim to enhance capacity of the organisation and develop home-care assistance service to meet the standards needed for its official accreditation by the relevant state authority. Through this sub-grant, the NARDOS worked on standardization of home-care assistance service for children and adults with disabilities. It also supported development of the training program for this service. Final activity of the sub-grant was piloting the service for the duration of two months. It resulted in so-called monitoring lists, which served as the base for developing individualized work plans for seven beneficiaries.

Improving the organisational capacity of Local Democracy Agency

It was implemented by the Agency for Local Democracy Niksic (LDA), with an aim to enhance capacity of the organisation, develop a research pool and design transparency index for local self-governments. With this sub-grant, the LDA made significant progress in re-organising itself. Its basic strategic documents (statute, strategic plan, fundraising strategy and media plan) were re-defined; and better visibility and communication with the media and general public were achieved. Also, the LDA introduced innovative mechanisms to support youth participation in decision-making processes and developed methodology for measuring the transparency of the work of local self-governments in Montenegro.

All = In Access 2 Justice – All equal in access to justice

It was implemented by the Association of Youth with Disabilities Montenegro in order to contribute to the development of policies and increase standards in the area of protection of vulnerable groups (primarily persons with disabilities (PWDs)) through advocating for equal rights and equality of parties before Montenegrin courts. This sub-grant helped increase awareness of key stakeholders and the general public about the need for equal access to justice for PWDs.

Presumption of Innocence or Presumption of Guilt?

It was implemented by the Society of professional journalists Montenegro, with an aim to improve the media's respect for the presumption of innocence when reporting on criminal proceedings in Montenegro, with a special focus on criminal proceedings against juveniles. Within this sub-grant a detailed survey was conducted on compliance with the presumption of innocence in criminal proceedings against juveniles. Also, it analyzed compliance with the presumption of innocence in media coverage of criminal proceedings in Montenegro by the print media and Internet portals; and helped improve the level of information and knowledge of journalists on the obligation to respect the presumption of innocence when reporting.

Free Media through Monitoring

It was implemented by the Media Syndicate, with an aim to create a legal and social environment that provides freedom for journalists to do their job and generally a higher level of media freedom in Montenegro. More specifically, this sub-grant was aimed at reducing the level of self-censorship among journalists, by reducing the number of lawsuits for damage to honor and reputation and promoting alternative solutions. It resulted in established mechanisms for monitoring cases of violation of honor and reputation and improved capacity of the organization to monitor this issue in the future. Also, it increased public awareness of the level of self-censorship among journalists, and the impact it has on their work; as well as the number of lawsuits for violation of honor and reputation and the effect of intimidation they have on journalists.

Citizens in judicial reform

It was implemented by the Centre for Political Education, with an aim of achieving a higher level of knowledge among the citizens of Niksic about the work and competencies of judicial and prosecutorial instances in that municipality. With this sub-grant it was achieved a higher degree of publicity of the work of the Basic Prosecutor's Office and the Basic Court in Niksic. Also, it was achieved a better understanding among citizens what are the competencies of the judicial and prosecutorial instances, and what is the institute of free legal aid.