- The first step is the preparation of a study on the role of local governments in implementing Montenegro's Reform Agenda 2024–2027
The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro has launched the implementation of activities under the LORAI project (Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation), a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe aimed at strengthening the role of local authorities in the European integration process of the Western Balkan countries.
The total value of the project for the first two years of implementation amounts to EUR 2,222,222, while EUR 82,000 has been allocated for the activities to be carried out in Montenegro by the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro. These funds will be used to support research, coordinate project activities, strengthen the capacities of local governments, and enhance their participation in the implementation of the reform agendas.
The project activities will begin with the preparation of a study on the role of local governments in the implementation Montenegro's Reform Agenda 2024–2027. The study is being prepared by the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, with expert support from Professor Dr. Gordane Đurović, the study is being conducted through research that includes a survey and interviews with representatives of local self-government units. The aim of the research is to assess the extent to which municipalities are involved in the reform process, identify the challenges they face, evaluate their administrative and financial capacities, and formulate recommendations for strengthening their participation in the implementation of European reforms.
The findings of the study will provide an important basis for formulating recommendations that will contribute to the more effective implementation Reform Agendas, stronger dialogue between the local and central levels of government, and more effective use of the opportunities provided the European Union's Reform and Growth Facility.
The LORAI project was established in response to the need for local governments to play a more active role in the implementation Reform Agendas as part of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the European Union's Reform and Growth Facility. For this reason, the project aims to enable local governments to participate as equal partners in the formulation of public policies, the monitoring of their implementation and results, and the definition of future development priorities.
The project's particular significance lies in establishing sustainable mechanisms for cooperation between the local and national levels of government, as well as among the countries of the region. LORAI will contribute to fostering inclusive dialogue, enhancing transparency and accountability in the implementation of reforms, strengthening the administrative capacities of local governments, and facilitating the exchange of experiences among municipalities across the Western Balkans. At the same time, the project will help ensure that the experiences and needs of local communities are recognized as an important element in shaping future European policies and investment priorities.
One of the project's key outcomes will be the establishment of a Regional Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation—an open platform that will monitor the progress of reforms at the local level and provide an objective assessment of their impact on the development of local communities and the quality of life of citizens. In addition, the project will include meetings, workshops, regional conferences, expert exchanges, peer reviews, and thematic workshops dedicated to future reform priorities and strengthening cooperation among local authorities across the region the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework..
Although local governments are not direct beneficiaries of funding under the reform agenda the Reform and Growth Facility, a significant number of reform measures relate directly to areas within their responsibilities—from the development of local infrastructure and the improvement of public services to digitalisation, environmental protection, the strengthening of administrative capacities, and local economic development. Their active involvement is therefore essential to the successful implementation of the Reform Agenda Reform Agendas and to delivering tangible benefits for citizens.
Through the LORAI project, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the capacities of local governments and promoting their more active participation in the European integration process. The project provides an opportunity for the local level of government to become an equal partner in shaping and implementing reforms that will have long-term impacts on the development of municipalities, the improvement of public services, and the quality of life of citizens, while also reinforcing democratic governance, interinstitutional cooperation, and European values at the local level.
The project is being implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It is carried out by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), and the national associations of local governments.
