Digitization is a driver of social and economic progress, a tool for improving the quality of life of citizens and the foundation for a more efficient, inclusive and modern public administration, the results of the project "E-services and digital infrastructure in response to COVID-19" showed.
The project, the completion of which was marked today in the hall of the Technical Faculty of the University of Montenegro, was financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Administration.
The goal of the project was to strengthen the digital transformation of Montenegro and lay the foundation for long-term development.
UNDP said that during the final event, an interactive exhibition of QR codes was shown, through which visitors could learn more about the developed electronic services and the results of the project.
Among these services and projects are the new e-Government portal, the Open Data portal, advanced e-services intended for parents and students, digitized services in the field of culture, as well as numerous other services that characterize innovations in digital management.
As stated by UNDP, the project, which has been implemented since 2021, accelerated the digitalization of the public sector.
"More than 45 new electronic services have been created available to citizens, the non-governmental sector, the academic and business community, including simple and quick enrollment of children in kindergartens, schools and colleges," the announcement states.
It is emphasized that the success of these initiatives is shown by the fact that even 90 percent of male and female students have enrolled in the faculty online since the introduction of this service.
"The e-Government portal provided easy access to key services, and services for non-governmental organizations, political parties and the culture sector were specially developed, reducing time and saving users money," the statement added.
UNDP said that the strengthening of institutional capacities through the training of a new generation of experts in public administration in the areas of digital management and cyber security, the equipping of institutions at the local and central level with technology and expertise, and the application of artificial intelligence in decision-making and service provision are part of project results.
As they added, more than half of the citizens of Montenegro are familiar with the existence of electronic services.
Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj pointed out that the development of digital transformation is not possible without constant inter-institutional cooperation, and continuous, dedicated work and effort, thanks to which today we can talk about developed and implemented priority electronic services.
He said that the improvement of electronic administration in Montenegro requires continuity, not only due to the need to comply with EU legal regulations and practice, but also constant compliance with IT solutions, which are rapidly improving.
Dukaj pointed out that the ultimate goal of the project was outlined at the beginning - raising the awareness of citizens and the economy about the advantages of using digital services.
"I believe that the set goals have been achieved, but that we still have a lot of work to do on the way to creating an open and sustainable electronic administration in Montenegro," said Dukaj.
The permanent representative of UNDP in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, said that this project is the best example of how, with strong support and partnership, the vision turns into concrete results.
She recalled that the project responded to the urgent needs of society in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, laying the foundation for the modernization of public administration.
"The results of this project lay the foundation for a society that is inclusive, efficient and secure, highlighting the transformative potential of digitization. This effort is in line with UNDP's commitment to fostering sustainable, ethical and more resilient digital ecosystems that leave no one behind," said Paniklova.
She said that, through the integration of innovation and sustainability, this transformation supports the reform of the public administration of Montenegro, emphasizing its compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
"In addition, it additionally strengthens the country's reform obligations towards the EU, especially when it comes to the modernization of public administration through digitalization." These initiatives show that digital transformation is not only a tool for economic growth and the efficiency of public services, but also the basis of social resilience and empowerment in facing future challenges," said Paniklova.
The Ambassador of the European Union in Montenegro, Johan Satler, said that despite challenges and obstacles, such as the pandemic and cyber attack, the EU, UNDP and the Government of Montenegro managed to successfully implement the project and develop more than 40 new e-services. .
"Today, almost every parent enrolls their child in kindergarten online, and students no longer wait in lines for simple administrative tasks," said Satler.
As he added, these changes may seem small, but they represent an example of good governance and reflect what citizens expect from their governments.
"This is not just technology - it is an investment in the future of Montenegro, a future defined by transparency, inclusiveness and innovation, in line with what most EU countries are already doing," said Satler.
He pointed out that, in this sense, the EU was and remains a reliable partner of Montenegro.
"Through instruments such as IPA, Digital Europe, the Investment Framework for the Western Balkans (WBIF) and new initiatives - the Growth Plan and the Reform Agenda, we provide support for the harmonization of Montenegro with EU standards and offer unprecedented support for reform efforts," said Satler.
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