LocationsStrengthening employee skills in the Ministry of Public Administration for sustainable and responsible fund management
November 22, 2024
Podgorica, November 22, 2024 – Enhancing the skills of employees in the Ministry of Public Administration for project management is a crucial step towards securing new funding and ensuring the sustainability of initiatives within the public sector. This directly contributes to the sustainable development and long-term progress of Montenegro and its society.
Over the past six months, employees of the Ministry of Public Administration have undergone intensive training in project cycle management. Today, a certificate award ceremony was held at the UN Eco Building in Podgorica for 20 employees who successfully completed the training.
The project cycle management training consisted of five modules, designed to enable relevant officials, with the support of mentors and practical experience, to master the identification, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, ensuring that set goals are achieved and success is guaranteed. Participants worked on real-life examples, focusing particularly on the calls from the Digital Europe initiative, developing proposals, planning activities and budgets, and learning how to effectively implement projects in practice, either independently or in collaboration with partners.
This initiative is part of the project “E-services and digital infrastructure as COVID-19 response” funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration.
By establishing a dedicated project unit, the Ministry positions itself as a key institution in implementing public administration reforms. This unit, composed of motivated employees, undergoes innovative and comprehensive training programs in project development and management, with support from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro. The training focuses on improving knowledge and skills throughout the entire project cycle, from initiation through implementation, to monitoring and evaluation, and performance measurement.
The initiative not only aims to enhance the skills of individuals but also to create sustainable structures that will enable the application of acquired knowledge across the entire public sector. In this way, the Ministry sets standards for responsible project management and the use of funds from both the EU and other sources, with the goal of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Montenegro. Upon joining the EU, Montenegro will have access to European structural and investment funds, with allocations for Montenegro set to be ten times larger than they are now, while the demands for project development and implementation will remain the same. This is precisely why the strengthening of skills within public administration has been recognized as an important part of preparing Montenegro’s public sector for responsible and efficient fund management
Minister of Public Administration, Marash Dukaj, emphasizes the Ministry’s commitment to this process, particularly in project management related to the digitalization of public administration.
“We recognize the current need to improve the competencies of employees to make them more competitive when applying for European structural and investment funds. That’s why the five-module training, organized with the support of the UNDP and the EU for employees in the Ministry of Public Administration, is a great opportunity for us, as the key institution in public administration reform, to achieve the standard for responsible project management. This will directly contribute to sustainable development and the long-term progress of Montenegrin society as a whole”.
The importance of partnership with the international community in achieving sustainable development is reflected in the fact that the EU, through UNDP, its long-term and dedicated partner to Montenegro, has invested nearly 18 million euros in development initiatives in Montenegro over the past two decades, many of which have been focused on strengthening public administration capacities.
“Through joint initiatives, UNDP and the EU support the capacity building of public administration, focusing on citizens and their needs in the process. The goals we strive for through this collaboration are aligned with the 2030 Agenda, particularly with the promotion of inclusive societies and the strengthening of responsible and transparent institutions. Enhancing the skills of public administration employees and strengthening their capacities are at the core of all efforts aimed at meaningful public administration reform. Therefore, UNDP will remain a reliable partner to the Ministry of Public Administration on this path, so that together we can reach the ultimate goal – a stable and sustainable progress of Montenegrin society”, said Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro.
The Program Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Orlando Fusco, highlighted that EU integration of Montenegro is not merely a political objective but a joint process, aiming to foster prosperity, stability, and shared values among all citizens.
"Throughout this journey, the EU has been an unwavering partner, providing significant support through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and other funds. However, a key capability is required to reap the benefits – the effective absorption of EU funds. The European Commission's Report on Montenegro highlights this challenge, pointing to the need to strengthen public procurement, investment monitoring, and project management skills," Fusco concluded.
