The "NGO Network of the North" called on the Minister of Ecology, Damjan Ćulafić, to cancel the decision on the selection of eco-ambassadors and to restart the selection process in a transparent, impartial and objective manner, valuing real environmental results and achievements, not political suitability.
The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North recently made a decision on the selection and appointment of eco ambassadors for the year 2024, with the award of a cash prize of five thousand euros.
Miodrag Banović, (Bar), Marinko Barjaktarović (Berane), Alen Suljević (Bijelo Polje), Mirza Bektešević, Municipality of Gusinje, Milan Mikan Medenica (Municipality of Kolašin), Sahaheta Novalić (Municipality of Petnjica), Irfan Redžepagić (Municipality Gusinje), Vaso Knežević (Municipality of Pljevlja), Jelena Rakčević (Capital city of Podgorica), Alija Kalač (Municipality of Rožaje), Miodrag Karadžić (Municipality of Nikšić), Adnan Efović (Municipality of Tuzi). The selected eco-ambassadors received a plaque and 5.000 euros.
It is the duty of the elected eco-ambassador to organize at least four public gatherings in the territory of the local self-government unit for which he/she has been declared in connection with the implementation of the Law on Waste Management within 6 months from the day of the announcement.
"This decision not only caused increased public attention but also concern. This choice represents real nonsense and shame for every responsible society and every reasonable citizen. The criteria used by this Ministry in selecting candidates for eco-ambassadors, as well as the selection process itself, seriously call into question the integrity and purpose of such public invitations. Unfortunately, the commission that carried out the selection process obviously had no intention of evaluating the actual ecological results and contributions of individuals, but was apparently guided by the number of stamps and support of politically suitable non-governmental organizations. This approach to the selection of candidates is not only inadequate, but harmful to the entire environmental sector. Real environmental activities must be evaluated on the basis of real engagement, expertise and concrete and visible results, and not according to the political suitability of the registered candidates", states the statement signed by Darko Stijepović.
He highlighted the fact that not a single candidate from as many as 13 municipalities applied for the Ministry's public invitation.
"This information clearly shows that real environmental activists, who are committed to environmental protection and sustainable development, did not want to participate in this politically colored process. Real environmentalists obviously knew that the election result was pre-decided and that candidates with political connections would be favored, while those with real environmental experience and results would be sidelined and excluded. Many did not want, nor did they want to reduce their professional capacities, activities and careers to the level of the number of stamps, fictitious NGOs that supported their candidates, which are also branches of political parties. Indeed, many of those who applied for this nomination and were later appointed as eco-ambassadors are political activists or people associated with parties in power. Some of the chosen eco-ambassadors are officials and employees in institutions, members of various Steering Committees, Media Councils, as well as members of the party's main committees, and not people with serious environmental work and results behind them. This is not only disappointing, but also an alarm of deep concern for all those who are fighting for the preservation of the environment and sustainability in Montenegro. Therefore, we call on Minister Damjan Ćulafić to immediately reverse this decision and to restart the election process in a transparent, impartial and objective manner, valuing real environmental results and achievements, not political suitability. Also, we believe that the monetary part of the prize of five thousand euros within the framework of the public call should have been completely abolished. Because, as soon as the monetary reward in the amount of five thousand euros was announced, it became synonymous with predation, by "hungry hyenas" from the ecological NGO sector," said Stijepović in the announcement.
This money, he adds, "obviously became the main motive for applying for the invitation, instead of the eco-ambassador title itself, which further confirmed that the monetary reward was the key motive, and not a real and sincere commitment to environmental protection."
"If the monetary part were abolished, we would probably get the opportunity to see the true picture of how many candidates would actually apply for the call, and how many would be motivated solely by true ecological values and the desire to contribute to nature conservation and environmental protection in the still , the only ecological country in the world", the announcement reads.
He called on the Ministry to urgently and seriously consider all objections, "to review its procedure, to annul the decision made and to make a new, responsible and honest decision, which will ensure that only people with concrete and proven environmental engagement are chosen as eco ambassadors. seniority and results, not employees in the state administration, politically engaged individuals, close to parties and people in power".
"As arguments for our claims, we will cite only two, drastic examples of the scandalous selection and appointment of Eco Ambassadors by the selection committee of this Ministry. One of the elected and appointed Eco Ambassadors, Alen Suljević, is an employee in the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, more precisely in the Rural Development Secretariat, he is also a member and activist of the OO Bosniak Party, and also a member of the Main Board of the Bosniak Party. Another example of an elected and appointed Eco Ambassador is Vaso Knežević, who is an official in the Municipality of Pljevlja, employed in the Secretariat for Housing, Communal Affairs, Traffic and Water, President of the Radio and Television Council of Pljevlja, President of the Mjesen community of Golobinja, he was a member of at least two political parties, which has allegedly left. In addition, he is also the founder of several local non-governmental organizations that supported him in this case, that is, suggested him," the press release of the NGO Network of the North states.
Bonus video:
