As part of the CIVICAct project - partnered by the Capital City of Podgorica and implemented by the Secretariat for Local Self-Government and Cooperation with Civil Society - two interactive "Citizen Labs" took place in Podgorica during the first week of June. These workshops focused on enhancing public involvement in decision-making and fostering a stronger dialogue between residents, civil society organizations, and local institutions.
The first workshop was held on June 2, 2026, at the "Radosav Ljumović" Library. Bringing together participants from various generations, alongside local government officials and civil society representatives, the session examined past experiences with civic activism. Through intergenerational dialogue and interactive exercises, attendees analyzed the barriers to public involvement and co-created solutions for more active citizen engagement. Participants identified key hurdles, including a lack of trust in public institutions, public apathy, limited opportunities for specific social groups, and difficulties accessing public services.
To address these issues, the group developed concrete proposals. These included creating independent bodies to monitor city services, using digital tools to keep the public informed, scheduling local community meetings at more convenient times, and empowering neighbourhood hubs to act as primary spaces for local decision-making.
The second lab, held on June 5, 2026, drew more participants from NGOs, local communities, and the general public. This session looked to the future, focusing on innovative new participation models. Attendees evaluated the current landscape, envisioned an ideal setup, mapped out existing roadblocks, and drafted recommendations to improve civic engagement.
The consensus was that while formal channels for public input exist, their success depends on building institutional trust, improving public communication, and ensuring greater inclusion for youth, women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. The highest priorities moving forward include strengthening ties between government and civil society, launching promotional campaigns for civic engagement, and leveraging the EU integration process to foster a stronger participatory democracy.
Both events proved that residents are eager to help shape public policy when given the right tools, clear information, and a platform for open dialogue. Participants stressed that building long-term trust, transparency, and inclusivity is vital to creating a vibrant civic culture and strengthening local democracy.
The CIVICAct project is funded by the European Union’s European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program.
The project is funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), CERV Programme.
