CNVP and its partners, the Regional Development Agency, BKP and the Union of Farmers, Montenegro, are implementing the EU-funded project Helping CSOs contribute more effectively to Montenegro’s rural development. The 30 month project started on 1 October 2017.

The overall objective of the project is to enhance the involvement and impact of rural CSOs in the development of public policies and decision-making processes.

The project has four expected results:

1. Enhanced transfer of know-how among rural CSOs related to rural challenges and decision-making, achieved by: strengthening the exchange of best practices among rural CSOs; creating a register of active CSOs working in rural development; and sharing information through e-bulletins and a webpage.
2. Increased management capacity of rural CSOs to lead rural development processes, achieved by: training rural CSOs on how to manage cross-sector partnerships and rural development issues; and providing a sub-granting scheme to enhance cooperation and networking.
3. Improved research and analysis capacities of rural CSOs, achieved by: providing training and coaching on research and policy formulation; and preparing policy briefs on topics related to rural development.
4. Better dialogue between rural CSOs and local/national government, achieved by: conducting a survey to identify topics relevant for rural CSOs; organising workshops to define priority issues; and, finally, organising a “National Rural Parliament”.

The action will involve rural CSOs and other stakeholders from Montenegro in various capacity building and skill/knowledge transfer activities e.g. training, coaching, learning-by-doing, advocacy, lobbying and networking, in order to empower them in decision-making processes at national and local levels, as well as increase their voice in society.

Target groups will include at least 40 grass-root rural CSOs, with a minimum of 8 CSOs from each of Montenegro’s 3 planning regions. Final beneficiaries are the 50% of people who live in the country’s rural areas.