Montenegro

Assisting Displaced Persons

An evaluation process was undertaken to select IDP associations and build their capacities so IDPs can empower themselves and advocate for their rights. In the first phase of the project (March 2007 – May 2008) IDP associations in Berane and Bar were selected. In the second phase of the project (June 2008 – June 2009) another IDP association, in Podgorica, was selected and included in the project.

The project has provided the associations with basic IT and office equipment and training in strategic planning, writing fundraising proposals, communications, good governance practices for NGOs etc. The hope is that all benefiting associations will be self sufficient when the project concludes. All associations chosen and included in the project, in the region, have been afforded the opportunity to work together and to build common strategies when and where it is appropriate to do so. They have also been introduced to and encouraged to cooperate with other DP associations and NGOs in the region.

Under the project, IDP associations have started small scale projects on their own, with support from UNDP. One project has been responsible for the birth and development of a crafts cooperative in northern Montenegro as a means of increasing income for displaced persons. All participating associations are working on small scale projects to increase employment opportunities for their people.
 
The legal status of IDPs is of primary importance for all involved. Until IDPs, mostly from Kosovo, gain legal status as citizens in the countries they are presently residing in, assuming they will, one day, do so, their attempts to benefit from social services, such as health, employment and social benefits, are severely hampered. It is hoped that forward progress in terms of DP’s legal status will be made following the census of DPs scheduled for later in 2009.

The participating IDP associations from Berane and Bar have shown great progress since being selected for the project in phase one. The IDP association based in Podgorica is, understandably, not as advanced in its capacity because it was only brought into the project during phase two. All three associations have been enthusiastic about the project, diligent in learning and applying what they are learning and confident about their ability to achieve greater goals that lie beyond the project.

The project is also designed to endow all stakeholders with a better understanding of both the scale and the scope of the problems faced by IDPs.