A strong non-governmental sector is one of the main pillars of democracy and a developed civil society, and therefore financing non-governmental organizations from public funds is an investment in development in various areas for a better life for citizens.
This was announced by the Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, Tamara Srzentić, who today signed contracts with representatives of nine non-governmental organizations on the co-financing of projects and programs supported by European Union funds in the amount of 536 thousand euros.
Srzentić, as reported by the PR Center, said that the co-financing of projects and programs of non-governmental organizations supported by European Union funds indicates the importance of numerous initiatives that are implemented with the support of the EU, and which, thanks to their challenging development and financial potential, encourage the entire area to mutually cooperation in solving common challenges, all for a better quality of life for citizens.
"The inclusive society we want to create requires effort from both sides - civil society and the Government, and we in the Government experience the non-governmental sector as a link between the public administration system and society and an increasingly important link in cross-border cooperation," Srzentić pointed out.
She said that she recognizes the exceptional importance that the non-governmental sector in Montenegro has for the overall social development and realization of the principles of human rights, freedom, equality, and the rule of law.
"That's why I see the financing of NGOs from public funds as an investment in development in the most diverse areas."
"We started the implementation of this process as soon as the budget became operational, and the implementation of the competition will be timely and efficient in order to better absorb EU funds by non-governmental organizations," said Srzentić.
For Elvira Hadžibegović, executive director of the Youth and Informal Education Forum, a multisectoral approach is always necessary for a successful work and project in the community, that's why the process of co-financing is essential and without it the work of non-governmental organizations would be endangered.
"By supporting the civil sector project, which is financed by the European Union, we are working on sustainability, but also show the willingness of local and national structures to make a long-term commitment to the very goals of the project," said Hadžibegović.
She said that in addition to co-financing, partnership and cooperation with state structures is also essential when it comes to projects and programs implemented in the country.
"We are the luckier ones, who always have co-financing provided on the Western Balcony, and therefore we can engage in bigger challenges and apply for much larger funds from the European Union, because we know that the co-financing will be supported by the Ministry of Public Administration, digital society and the media," said Hadžibegović.
According to the Public competition for the distribution of funds for the co-financing of projects and programs of non-governmental organizations supported by the funds of the European Union for the year 2021, projects can be submitted to the Ministry until December 1, 2021. The allocated amount of funds is 923 thousand euros.
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