A two-day National Dialogue on Social Cohesion was held in Podgorica under the motto “Together for the Common Good”, with the aim of strengthening participatory decision-making and promoting inclusive dialogue at the local level. The event was organized by UNDP Montenegro.
The panel discussion “Strengthening Social Cohesion through Local Dialogue” brought together representatives of municipalities, young people, civil society, and experts. Ivana Nedović a representative of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro emphasized the potential for this model of participatory dialogue to become a regular component of the work of all Montenegrin municipalities, rather than being limited to individual projects.
“By showcasing the results and benefits of dialogue processes in the municipalities of Podgorica, Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Bar, and Ulcinj, we can promote good practices in partnership with UNDP and UNICEF. In this way, we encourage municipalities to initiate their own dialogues on social issues, with the direct participation of citizens of different ages, professions, and social groups,” Nedović emphasized.
During the discussion, Nedović also provided concrete recommendations for municipalities on how to strengthen social dialogue and increase citizen participation. These included modernizing communication with citizens through social media and platforms such as Viber groups; improving the organization and accessibility of content on municipal websites, particularly sections relevant to citizens (citizen service offices, forms, and public consultations); strengthening the role of local community councils and their cooperation with local NGOs and the media; and organizing preliminary consultations with citizens in the form of dialogue before municipal decisions are adopted.
“These dialogues bring together all groups in society—from young people to pensioners, from entrepreneurs to farmers, as well as members of vulnerable groups, the academic community, and civil society—so that they can jointly contribute to decisions that directly affect the quality of life in their local communities,” Nedović added.
During the panel, participants presented the results of local dialogue initiatives: Naser Resulbegović (Ulcinj), Tanja Spičanović (Bar), Miloš Kljajević (Bijelo Polje) i Dunja Mićunović, a young participant from Podgorica shared her experiences, while particular emphasis was placed on the fact that the Municipality of Ulcinj is the first municipality in Montenegro to adopt a Local Charter on Social Cohesion.
It was concluded that citizens’ trust in institutions is essential for social cohesion, and that continuous participatory dialogues represent a key mechanism for building more inclusive, transparent, and accountable local decision-making processes.
