I have the privilege of leading a team that is implementing one of the most demanding, but also the most important reform processes in the modern public administration of Montenegro. The Directorate for Local Self-Government in the Ministry of Public Administration is engaged in creating a legal and institutional framework for the functioning of municipalities: from preparing laws and monitoring the implementation of regulations, to providing expert support to local governments and proposing corrective measures, when necessary. Our responsibility is to ensure that citizens exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to local self-government – because local self-government is not only a level of government, but also the right of every individual to participate in resolving issues of immediate importance to their lives.
At the beginning of our mandate, we faced a series of assessments that ranked Montenegro among the most centralized countries in Europe. The monotype model of local government organization, a fragmented legal framework for local officials, frequent political instability at the local level, and frequent elections limited both the efficiency of municipalities and citizens' trust in the system.
Our answer was clear: we want local government that is efficient, accountable, transparent and truly focused on the needs of citizens. It is a vision of a modern, decentralized system of governance that strengthens local communities, but also demands greater accountability from local authorities. The realization of such an ambitious vision required courage, knowledge, integrity and teamwork.
Accordingly, we have begun a comprehensive reform cycle:
- We have prepared a new Law on Local Self-Government, which introduces the concept of asymmetric decentralization and for the first time recognizes the city as a separate unit of local self-government. Cities will take over responsibilities in the areas of preschool education, social and child protection, and primary health care – but only with a proven ability to manage responsibly.
- For the first time, the Law on Local Servants and Employees has been prepared, which regulates the area of human resources at the local level in a unified, systematic and meritocratic manner.
We have specified the obligations of relevant ministries and local governments with the aim of supporting municipalities, together with international partners, to prepare for accelerated digital transformation.
Intensive cooperation with local governments
- Together with a team of experts, we have developed a concept for the Law on Local Elections, the solutions of which have already been implemented through amendments to the Law on the Election of Councilors and Representatives. For the first time, Montenegro will have local elections in one day, professionalized electoral bodies, and greater representation of women at the state and local levels. But our concept is not only that, we advocate for full democracy, namely: direct election of municipal presidents and their deputies, open electoral lists, but also direct election of local community bodies.
- For the first time, we conducted a comprehensive Analysis of the functioning of the local government system, using a methodology that SIGMA/OECD partners have recognized as an example of good practice and recommended to other countries. The results and findings of this Analysis were later confirmed in reports by the European Commission (2024 and 2025), SIGMA/OECD and the Council of Europe.
- We have introduced mechanisms that strengthen the accountability of local governments and promote citizen participation: evaluation of local government performance, regular measurement of citizen and business satisfaction, and the citizens' assembly as a form of deliberative democracy.
- Our partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the Union of Municipalities through the Municipalities for the EU project is invaluable. Thanks to this project, we are improving the mechanisms of cooperation between the two levels of government, but also building human resources potential at the local level for applying and implementing EU projects. At the same time, we are bringing the European Union closer to every citizen, in every municipality, through EU info points that are already open and actively functioning.
All this brings a new logic of management: from administrative to partnership, from formal to responsible, from politically charged to professional.
The digitalization of public services in Montenegro represents a key step towards the modernization of local self-government, and thus closer to European standards.
Within the framework of the comprehensive reform of local self-government, digital transformation occupies a special place. Aware that modern public administration cannot be efficient without digital solutions, we are dedicated to creating the basis for modernizing local services, improving processes, and reducing administrative barriers.
We are implementing this process in close cooperation with the Ministry's digitalization team, whose expertise, openness and willingness to take a partnership approach are a strong support. The experience of our team in the Directorate in the field of local self-government and the expertise of colleagues from the digital sector have proven to be an ideal combination for developing solutions that are sustainable, user-friendly and aligned with European standards.
The values that have shaped our work
Local government reform is one of the most complex processes in public administration. To be successful, it must be based on certain values, and they have guided every step of our team:
• Teamwork, because no reform belongs to an individual – it belongs to the team that implements it.
• Empathy, because we can only create local reforms if we listen to and understand the needs of municipalities, officials and citizens.
• Privacy, as a solid foundation in making decisions that must be professional and devoid of any interest other than public.
• Vision, which made us dare to change established patterns.
• Responsibility, as the foundation of citizens' trust in institutions.
• Respect, which represents the basis of all good cooperation – within the team, towards local governments and towards all partners.
A team that makes a difference
The Directorate for Local Self-Government is staffed by a numerically modest, but extremely dedicated and hard-working team. It combines experience and freshness, expertise and enthusiasm, professionalism and humanity. It is a team that analyzes, proposes, critically reflects and shares a vision of change. My greatest professional privilege is that I work with people who believe that it is possible to improve the system and who selflessly invest their energy and knowledge in that goal.
The intention of the Ministry of Public Administration is to design and then implement electoral reform, regardless of any political interests. European tasks cannot be fulfilled without efficient elections.
Support that was crucial
No matter how professional and motivated the team is, the truth is simple: any public policy that goes through a reform process that changes systemic patterns, no matter how good, must have support among decision-makers.
To our satisfaction, but ultimately to the satisfaction of all citizens, this very public policy has earned the full, uncompromising support of the Minister of Public Administration, Marash Dukaj, whose commitment to the public interest is complete and consistent. His support and trust were crucial for these reforms to progress, for complex issues to be boldly addressed, and for local self-government in Montenegro to become a true service to citizens.
(Directorate for Local Self-Government in the Ministry of Public Administration)
