The European Union’s pre-accession assistance to Montenegro for the period 2014-2020 is implemented through eight priority sectors, including the sector of education, employment and social policies. This sector includes the Joint EU-MNE Programme for Employment, Education and Social Protection 2015-2017, which is funded through 2015-2017 IPA funds.

The implementation of the programme began in July 2018. Worth €18 million, this programme encourages and develops a cohesive society in Montenegro through four different actions. These actions focus on improving the labour market and increasing the level of employability; improving the education system; encouraging social inclusion and improving the social protection system; and providing technical support.

• Action 1: For the action focusing on improving the labour market and increasing employability, the EU contributed €7.4 million, while a further €1.3 million came from national co-financing. This action includes two activities: one is concerned with active labor market policies and the other deals with local employment initiatives.
• Action 2: For the action focusing on improving the education system, the EU ensured €3.7 million in funding, while a further €0.65 million came from national co-financing. This action includes four activities: one is aimed at improving the quality of education, the second one is concerned with the development of educational programmes in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework, the third one fosters the inclusion of marginalised groups in the education system, while the fourth activity seeks to support the employment of PhDs and PhD students in academia and the business sector.
• Action 3: For the action aimed at encouraging social inclusion and improving the social protection system, the EU allocated €3.5 million in funding, while a further €0.62 million came from national co-financing. This action includes three activities: one is related to further reform of social and child protection, the second one focuses on the development and promotion of social and child protection services at the local level, while the third one is concerned with social inclusion of marginalised groups, with special emphasis on the inclusion of members of the Roma and Egyptian (RE) population.
• Action 4: For the action focusing on the provision of technical support, the EU contributed €0.7 million, while a further €0.12 million came from national co-financing. This action includes two activities: one focuses on support to the implementation of the programme, while the other is concerned with providing support to potential applicants and grant beneficiaries.

The programme runs until 31 December 2022.

Check out video success stories about the programme at this link.