Nikšić: "O-ruk" program - an opportunity for young people to realize their ideas

The "Student Caravan" was an opportunity for the Fund for Active Citizenship (Fakt) and the non-governmental organization "Alfa Center" at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić to present "De facto for Youth", a three-year program of support for the development of civil society focused on the inclusion and empowerment of youth, to interested university students.

Fakt's Executive Director, Anica Maja Boljević, explained that two grant schemes form the backbone of the aforementioned program - "O-ruk" and "Youth Leadership", and that the total available amount of funds intended to support projects is 360.000 euros.

"The priority areas and topics of the program are: youth participation and dialogue at the local level, volunteering, youth employment (innovative approaches), environmental and climate activism, culture and creative industries, mental health and the fight against peer violence, and youth sports and leisure," said Boljević.

She explained that while the "Youth Leadership" program is intended for civil society organizations, the "O-ruk" program is intended for less developed organizations, local informal groups and youth activists, as well as civic and movements operating in their local communities, especially outside Podgorica.

"The focus of the 'O-ruk' grant scheme is to support initiatives that represent a timely response to challenges, problems or issues that concern the majority of young people in the community, and which at the same time have the potential to include as many young people as possible, with the support of the wider local community. The total available grant fund within this grant scheme is 180.000 euros, projects can last from two to four months, and the amount of support for an individual project ranges from 3.000 to 6.000 euros," said Boljević.

The call will be open continuously throughout the duration of the program, provided that the funds available under this grant scheme are not previously allocated, and the Commission, which will meet at least five times a year, will consider the first applications received by April 3rd on April 20th.

Grant recipients may reapply for support, after the submission and approval of the final report, and the maximum amount that can be awarded to a single applicant (an organization or group consisting of at least three members) during the three-year duration of the "De facto for Youth" program (and both grant schemes) is limited to 30.000 euros.

Nađa Dragović, Marija Perović Boljević and Nenad Golubovića from Fakt, Sanja Đedović from "Alfa Center" also spoke about the project, the application process, and possible ideas that can be implemented, while the students were encouraged to participate in the aforementioned project by the Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Tatjana Novović and Biljana Maslovarić, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations that are already implementing or have implemented numerous projects thanks to the support of Fakt.

The "De facto for Youth" project is funded by the European Union, while co-financing will be provided by the Ministry of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations.