United Nations and EU Accession process in Montenegro

Rastislav Vrbensky, UN RC/ UNDP RRBenjamin Perks, UNICEF Representative

Structure of Presentation

• Context • Snapshot of concrete results as appetizer • UN in UMIC• Support to various EU accession

processes• Sector cases studies• Lessons learned

Context

• UN System in Montenegro – ‘Delivering as One’

• Strong complementarity of EU Accession Priorities and UN Integrated Programme Goals

• Working hand-in-hand

• Generating extra value

Quick Snapshot of Results

UN Montenegro- Key results -

11% increase in the number of legal aid cases in 15 legal aid offices since 2009

52% increase of successfully diverted cases from criminal proceedings of juveniles in conflict with the law from 2012

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UN Montenegro- Key results -

73% of refugees, DP/IDPs regulated their legal status in Montenegro

49% decrease of the number of children living in residential care in the period 2007-2013

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UN Montenegro- Key results -

Improving attitudes toward children with disabilities and inclusive education

Decrease from 64 to 20 percent of people who find it unacceptable for children with disability to attend the same class as their child in the period 2010-2013

five-fold increase of number of children with disability referred to primary schools education with proper assessment

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UN Montenegro- Key results - Improved access to community based social

services in 9 municipalities covering 27% of the total number of social service beneficiaries

Almost 50% of the total amount of obsolete ammunition has been destroyed since 2007

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UN strategy in UMIC

1. Diagnostics/ Situation Analyses 2. Normative Function/ Human Rights3. Capacity Development/ System

Strengthening4. Knowledge and Innovation5. Convening Role

How does it translate to Montenegrin

1. Analytical support and evidence-based policy and decision making (e.g. 13 analytical studies for 2012/ 2013 Progress Reports)

2. Support for Negotiation Process 3. Programming of IPA4. Support to reform processes – case studies

Specific focus on the following sectors:• Justice and Home Affairs• Public Administration Reform• Social Policy Reforms• Health• Environment and Energy• Competitiveness

EU Accession processes

Negotiation

Assistance in putting in place negotiating structure after negotiation opening in July 2013

Supporting administrative capacity of negotiation structure (secretaries for 6 groups - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24)

Expert support and experience sharing 10 chapters - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 22, 23, 24

Example - Chapters 23/24

Justice and Home Affairs

Assisting with development of Action Plans and Negotiation Positions through provision of expert support (Croatia, Slovakia) and administrative support (organization of public hearing, secretary of the working group) and joint fundraising for implementation of the Action Plans

Overall support to Judicial Reform – (Strategy on Judiciary Reform, juvenile justice, free legal aid)

Overall support to Human Rights agenda - including children rights, gender equality and rights of IDPs/ refugees

Security reform – MONDEM

Capacity Development Programme

Established in 2003 as a partnership between the GoM and UN Development of institutional and administrative

capacities for European Integration process with the focus on: Supporting the Government’s Negotiations Structures for

Accession Negotiations with EU Supporting programming of EU assistance 2014-2020

(IPA II), including sector coordination approach Supporting implementation of Public Administration Reform

Strategy and MVPEI for implementation of the Foreign Policy Priorities

Capacity Development Programme

Supporting development of Montenegro Programme for Accession 2014-2018

Better communication of the EI process to citizens - conducting comprehensive survey on public perception and communication of EI process

Establishment a tool for monitoring the consistencyof the accession negotiation process with the country’s fiscal capacities

Case Studies/ Reform Processes

- Social Inclusion- Gender - I/DPs, Refugees and Asylum- Health - there are several other …

Social Inclusion

Reform of the social and child protection system since early 2000’s – piecemeal approach:

•Legislation not in line with international standards•Limited capacity at all levels for identification of needs and quality service provision•Limited community-based services•High per capita rate of children living in institutional care

The Social Welfare and Child Care System Reform: Enhancing Social

InclusionIPA 2010

SOCIAL WELFARE AND CHILD CARE SYSTEM REFORM

SYS

TEM

IC A

PPR

OA

CH

SYS

TEM

IC A

PPR

OA

CH Legislative and strategic

framework for the reform

Law on Social and Child Protection (2013)

Strategy for the Development of the Social and Child Protection System 2013-2017

Strategy for the Development of Foster Care 2012-2016

Strategy for the Development of Social Protection for the Elderly 2013-2017

Law on Social and Child Protection (2013)

Strategy for the Development of the Social and Child Protection System 2013-2017

Strategy for the Development of Foster Care 2012-2016

Strategy for the Development of Social Protection for the Elderly 2013-2017

Setting the institutional framework

Establishment of the department for the development of social and child protection services in the Ministry of Labour

and Social Welfare (2014)

Reform of centres for social work (initiated in late 2013)

Establishment of the Institute for Social and Child Protection (2014)

Establishment of the department for the development of social and child protection services in the Ministry of Labour

and Social Welfare (2014)

Reform of centres for social work (initiated in late 2013)

Establishment of the Institute for Social and Child Protection (2014)

Community based social and child protection services

Deinstitutionalization and transformation of child care

institutions

Strengthened capacity at the local level to identify local needs and plan services (in 17 out of 22 municipalities)

Expansion of services at the local level and/or strengthened capacity of service providers (in 12 out of 22 municipalities)

Protocol for strengthened intersectoral cooperation for the prevention of institutionalization to be signed in 2014

Plan of transformation of “Mladost” Bijela to be adopted in 2014

Massive campaign on the right of a child to a family environemt implemented 2013/2014

Strengthened capacity at the local level to identify local needs and plan services (in 17 out of 22 municipalities)

Expansion of services at the local level and/or strengthened capacity of service providers (in 12 out of 22 municipalities)

Protocol for strengthened intersectoral cooperation for the prevention of institutionalization to be signed in 2014

Plan of transformation of “Mladost” Bijela to be adopted in 2014

Massive campaign on the right of a child to a family environemt implemented 2013/2014

SOCIAL WELFARE AND CHILD CARE SYSTEM REFORM

SOCIAL WELFARE AND CHILD CARE SYSTEM REFORM

SOCIAL WELFARE AND CHILD CARE SYSTEM REFORM

Gender

Gender Programme Focus

Aiming to strengthen capacities, advance policies and improve conditions for the implementation of the three specific components of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality:

• Violence against women• Political empowerment• Economic empowerment

Implementing period March 2011 - December 2014Budget: € 778,000 (EU contribution 90% and UNDP contribution 10%)

http://www.gendermontenegro.me

Results so far

Supported introduction of 30% quota in the Election Law in 2011

100 female politicians educated on leadership skills, 20 women trained for trainers

Established women’s political groups in 3 political parties (DPS, POZITIVNA and NOVA)

Establishment of multi-sectoral teams for violence in family and adopted Code of Conduct - 350 professionals trained from the police, social centers judiciary, health institutions and NGOs from 21 municipalities

Tackled public perceptions on violence against women through targeted campaigns

Results so far

120 women from 4 pilot municipalities trained in entrepreneurial skills resulting with development of 50 business plans,

36 already gained financial support, 18 beneficiaries established Association of Entrepreneurs

Obligations in the accession process - drafting of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2013-2017; generated regional level dialogue on status of women, established strong partnerships with EU Gender Equality Institute and European Parliamentarians, regional gender equality mechanisms

I/DPs, Refugees and Asylum

Chapter 23

Strategy on DPs and IDPs with Special Attention to Konik

Assistance in harmonization of legislation with the Law on Foreigners to enable full access to basic rights of the DPs and IDP

Support management of the Konik camp

Monitoring role in the selection of beneficiaries and sustainability of the housing projects financed through the Regional Housing Programme

Assistance in obtaining documents required for the status of foreigner to holders of DP and IDP status and subsequent birth registration and obtaining personal documents

Chapter 24

Expert support to the Government in building a contemporary asylum system

Monitoring of the Refugee Status Determination procedure of the Government

Monitoring of the reception standards for asylum seekers and technical and material support

Expert support in drafting by laws to 2006 Law on Asylum and new Law on Asylum - fully aligned with international and EU standards

Regional Housing Programme (RHP)

Sarajevo Initiative - durable housing solutions for refugees and IDPs from BiH and Croatia residing in Serbia, BiH, Montenegro, Croatia

Total value is over 500 million Euro

UNHCR monitors implementation - selection of beneficiary and sustainability of the projects

Expert assistance in preparing legal framework, developing project proposals, reports

3 projects approved for Montenegro: 62 apartments in Niksic, 120 apartments in Podgorica (Konik) and construction of elderly home in Pljevlja with capacity for 68 tenants

Health

European Blood Transfusion System in Montenegro

Establishment of the legal and regulatory framework harmonized with EU directives and WHO recommendations - Law on blood safety has been approved by the Parliament

Communication strategy and PR campaign aimed at strengthening and promoting the system of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation and increase the number of blood donor

Development of model on organization of quality improvement in blood transfusion

Build capacities of blood transfusion specialists and technicians

The key for success

Same goals and complementarity of agendas – but also FOCUS

Established and well functioning cooperation with Government/ Chief Negotiator

Close cooperation with EUD Montenegro/ EC Brussels

‘Delivering as One’ interventions Partnerships across society Long-term/ sector-wide approach

Many thanks!