18 July, 2018 - Representatives of the Government, eight Montenegrin municipalities and the Council of Europe signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the promotion of good governance and Roma empowerment at the local level (ROMACTED) on July 17, with the aim to improve the situation of Roma and Egyptians at the local level.
The Regional Program ROMACTED is being implemented by the Council of Europe and the European Union and a non-governmental organization “Young Roma” has been selected as a partner organization in the implementation of the project for Montenegro.
The manager of the Roma and Traveler Team within the Council of Europe's Roma Programme, Markos Andrade, said that the value of the programme is three million EUR, which is intended for seven countries in the region, including Montenegro.
"It's about a program that is not so limited to financing, how much of a methodology that will bring the aspect of good governance and participation of Roma communities in dialogue and work, together with local government authorities," Andrade said.
"It is a programme that is not so focused on financing, but on how much of a methodology it will bring to the aspect of good governance and participation of Roma communities in dialogue and work, together with local government authorities," Andrade said.
He explained that the objectives of the ROMACTED program are to strengthen political will and support local development through capacity building of local authorities and effective participation of Roma citizens in local plans and projects.
"The aim is to strengthen the Roma community, both at the individual level and at the level of the collective, strengthen the commitment of institutions, their capacities, knowledge and skills in the work on Roma inclusion and the application of the concept of good governance," Andrade said.
He said that in Montenegro, the project will be realized in eight Montenegrin municipalities.
"Memoranda signed with representatives of local governments have not been elaborated in detail, but there will be a possibility that activities will change according to what municipalities decide to implement," Andrade said.
The General Director of the Directorate for the Advancement and Protection of Minority Rights, Leon Gjokaj, said that the attitude towards the Roma and Egyptian population is changing in a positive sense.
"The results indicate that issues related to the importance and needs of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro are continuously working on their full involvement in the lifestreams, with all rights and obligations that implicate it," Gjokaj said.
Montenegrin municipalities that have signed the Memorandum of Understanding are Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Herceg Novi, Nikšić, Tivat and Ulcinj.
