ReLOaD2 – Signed contracts with non-governmental organizations worth 360,000 euros
From the removal of ecological black spots, through the opening of new services for pensioners, the digitization of cultural heritage, the improvement of the business environment and the creation of new tourist attractions and many other important topics - 37 non-governmental organizations received support for ideas that will directly improve the quality of life of the local community.
The projects of non-governmental organizations, with which contracts in the total value of 360,000 euros were signed in recent days, were selected at ReLOaD2 tenders with 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 core of ReLOD - the Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans, 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:
Coastal Mates – municipalities of Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor and Tivat,
Together for the north - the municipalities of Andrijevica and Berane,
Tara cluster - municipalities of Mojkovac, Kolašin and Pljevlja,
Nikšić and Plužine together - the municipalities of Nikšić and Plužine,
The central region - the capital Podgorica, the capital Cetinje, the municipality within the capital city - Golubovci and the municipality Danilovgrad.
Selected local governments, with the financial and advisory assistance of the ReLOaD team, will strengthen the partnership between local authorities and civil society and youth, for the benefit of citizens and local communities. The aspiration of the ReLOaD2 program is greater participation of citizens, especially young people, in decision-making processes and the improvement of the provision of public services. The concept of cluster of municipalities contributes to the exchange of experiences not only between municipalities, but also between organizations from different municipalities, which leads to networking and even better projects in the future.
In the contests that were opened 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, and you can find the entire list of selected NGOs at this link. The competitions were preceded by public hearings in all municipalities in order to determine priorities, which ensures that the selected projects are a reflection of local needs and an authentic community effort to solve challenges.
The specificity of the ReLOaD2 program is reflected in the fact that a special budget line is intended for newly established non-governmental organizations and organizations dealing with young people. In this way, it is easier for NGOs without previous experience in project management to apply.
In addition, for all interested non-governmental organizations, the ReLOaD2 program provided intensive training and mentoring support in project writing, which was an opportunity for NGOs to better prepare and improve their capacities. Non-governmental organizations that receive funds, and during the implementation itself, with the constant support of the ReLOaD team, learn how to implement projects in a fair and transparent manner, but also how to promote good practices towards citizens and other interested publics.
For more information about the ReLOaD program and subsequent public calls for non-governmental organizations, follow: