Montenegro

What UNDP is doing to achieve the MDGs in Montenegro

In 2005, the Government of Montenegro prepared its first Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Report, using the goals as a framework for determining the status of development at the time. UNDP provided invaluable assistance to the government in the preparation of the report. The report noted the following challenges for MDG achievement: poverty (including regional variations and high poverty levels among vulnerable groups such as Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian minorities, internally displaced persons and refugees), the Constitution of a modern State based on the rule of law and democratization, and revitalization of the economy within the framework of sustainable development.

In 2009, the Government of Montenegro initiated preparation of the new report on the Millennium Development Goals. The UN System provided financial and expert support for the development of the Report through the engagement of representatives of the UN agencies operating in Montenegro (UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM, UNAIDS and WHO) and experts of the UNDP Regional Centre in Bratislava. The Report was presented at the MDG summit in New York in September 2010. As highlighted in this Medium-Term Report on Millennium Development Goals 2010 Montenegro (link), the targets on maternal mortality, child mortality, and HIV and other diseases, have already been met, and other goals, including the one on poverty reduction, are likely to be met by 2015.

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To achieve the MDGs, Montenegro has been focusing on European integration, strengthening governance and judiciary, poverty reduction, social inclusion and especially the fight against corruption and organized crime. Other challenges would include the implementation and institutionalization of reform, public investments and regional cooperation, strengthened democratic processes and respect for human and minority rights.

All development activities carried out by UNDP have MDG achievement as their overarching goal. In some cases this is direct, such as in poverty reduction programmes, or in initiatives promoting gender equality. Other times it is more indirect, though no less powerful, for example when helping to ensure laws and institutions are of a high quality so as to provide people with good health care, education, and other services.

Development work done by UNDP Montenegro is divided into four Corporate Thematic Areas, also known as clusters. All four clusters work on projects and programmes which contribute to the achievement of the MDGs. Those projects and programmes can encompass more than one of the MDGs. The four clusters within UNDP Montenegro are:

The Social Inclusion cluster, which objective is: Increased capacities of the Government (particularly the Ministry of Labor and Social welfare, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Human and Minority Rights) and civil society organizations in reducing vulnerable groups’ social exclusion through improved social security and health system, introduction of active labor mechanisms and economic opportunities, with special focus on women empowerment.

The Democratic Governance cluster, which objective is: The Democratic Governance Cluster focuses on legislative, institutional and administrative reform and capacity development at the central and local level in support to Montenegro in its European and Euro-Atlantic integrations processes. The objective is to continue to provide quality, flexible and impact oriented support that will contribute to creating a strong and functional institutional framework, strengthening capacities in Montenegro to facilitate the European integration process leading to an improved quality of life of citizens.

The Economy and Environment cluster, which objective is:In partnership with the Government, private and civil sector, focus on achieving a balanced and equitable regional low emissions economic growth based on sustainable planning and responsible use of natural resources where responsible implies i) fact-based and ii) considerate of environmental, economic and social opportunity costs.

The Western Balkans Regional Environmental Programme cluster, the biggest regional programme UNDP has committed to in the South Eastern Europe to date. The main goal of the Programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands was to achieve improvement of environmental situation and quality of life for citizens through the least-cost measures, improved local and national policy dialogue and the supply of domestic professional services in the environmental management sector. While the main focus of the Programme was on the clean-up works needed to mitigate environmental and human health problems at eleven (11) selected locations, the institutional strengthening and capacity building were equally important components which the Programme worked on.

 

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Progress on MDGs in Montenegro