Within the project “Municipalities for the EU – Empowering local communities in the process of EU integration of Montenegro,” on June 27, 2025, the first working meeting of the Thematic Network for Public Administration and Digitalization was held.
The meeting was attended by 28 representatives of municipalities and relevant institutions, who, through presentations, discussion, and exchange of experiences, opened a series of important issues and initiated concrete steps for improving digital transformation at the local level.
In the introductory part, Goran Đurović, capacity-building expert within the project, presented the activities implemented through both components – raising citizens’ awareness and strengthening the capacities of local self-governments.
He emphasized the importance of EU info points, trainings and workshops available to municipalities, as well as the significance of inter-institutional cooperation established by the Memorandum signed by all key actors at the local and national levels.
The participants were also addressed by Davide Meinero, representative of the Delegation of the European Union, who will in the coming period provide expert support in the field of digitalization.
Simona Bošković, coordinator of the Thematic Network on behalf of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, spoke about the role of the Union in supporting the digitalization of local self-government and announced that this institution, together with the Ministry of Public Administration and the project team, will be responsible for organizing further activities of the network and coordinating its work.
During the working part of the meeting, Nina Blažić, acting Director-General of the Directorate for Local Self-Government, presented the reform activities of the Ministry of Public Administration and emphasized that digitalization, decentralization, and democratization represent the foundation of public administration reform.
The report on the digital maturity of municipalities showed that most of them are at the second level of development according to EU standards, while the Capital City is in the lead.
At the same time, challenges were highlighted, such as lack of funds, limited IT capacities, and technical obstacles to inclusion in national data exchange systems.
Also presented were the Reform Agenda for Digitalization at the Local and Central Level for the period 2025–2027, as well as a new project of the Ministry in cooperation with UNOPS, which foresees the creation of digital transformation maps and books of administrative procedures for all 25 local self-government units.
Seven municipalities will, in the first phase, receive direct support, including technical assistance, education, and equipment procurement.
During the discussion, special attention was given to the need for active involvement of IT experts in the work of the network, improvement of data exchange among municipalities, and ensuring accurate and up-to-date data that will serve as the basis for efficient digitalization.
It was also emphasized that it is necessary to conduct citizen education so that digital services can be fully utilized, with respect for personal data protection regulations. The Capital City offered support to other municipalities through the use of its existing capacities and systems.
At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that municipalities should, by August 15, submit their challenges and proposals in the field of digitalization, that a continuous communication channel among network members should be established, and that the next meeting should be held in September.
It was concluded that the further work of the Thematic Network will be directed towards solving concrete obstacles, strengthening mutual cooperation, and connecting with other relevant networks and initiatives, so that local self-governments can be more effectively involved in the process of European integration.
