Encourage Youth Participation in Green Policies (ME0066)

What public problem does the measure address? This measure responds to the problem related to the relatively weak participation of young people in the creation of public policies, especially in the important area of green policies, environmental protection and the fight against climate change. Although there is a basic institutional and normative framework to support youth participation in education, the results of the implementation of youth policies are still modest or unknown, which can be attributed to the absence of a holistic approach that would enable more effective intersectoral cooperation and coordination (both at the national and local levels) and which would enable the synchronization of the efforts of various actors in this area. New National Strategy for Youth 2022-2026 is still under construction. UNDP's research on local policies and needs of young people in 15 local governments showed that more than 90% of the surveyed young people had never participated in the activities of local NGOs and youth clubs. The role of youth centers, which were formed in local self-governments as part of previous strategies in this area, according to the participants of the public debate on the draft of this Action Plan, were not clearly defined. These centers are recognized in the national and local youth strategies as one of the mechanisms for the implementation of youth policy, youth work that contributes to strengthening the personal, social and professional capacities of young people. However, this potential has not been used and should be improved through implementing measures in partnership with these centers and strengthening their role. EU for youth 2019-2027. we want to strengthen the democratic participation and autonomy of young people, as well as provide dedicated spaces for young people in all areas of society. As a special goal of the mentioned EU Youth Strategy, "Sustainable Green Europe" is highlighted, which aims to achieve a society in which all young people are environmentally active, educated and capable of changing their daily lives. At the national level, the National Strategy in the field of climate change until 2030 encourages the importance of better information and the involvement of young people in the fight against climate change and environmental protection.

What does this measure entail? The measure includes a series of activities aimed at encouraging greater activism and participation of young people in green policies.

In what way does the measure contribute to the solution of the identified public problem? By creating an online interactive guide for empowering young people in the fight against climate change, online information for young people about environmental protection, conducting research with young people about their activism in environmental initiatives/actions, we want the synergy of the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Sports and Youth as well as non-governmental organizations encourage greater interest of young people in green policies and participation in various initiatives that contribute to the creation and implementation of green policies in Montenegro. In addition, the organization of workshops with young people on the application of green policies at the local level encourages the development of skills that young people can use in their immediate environment - the work of local self-governments in the sphere of environmental protection, e.g. how to spot and document non-fulfillment of obligations by them, and how to hold them accountable. Therefore, through workshops and practical work, administrative processes are brought closer to young people, who get the opportunity to influence public policies and their implementation.

Why is this measure relevant in relation to the values promoted through the OGP initiative? Greater participation of young people in green policies is directly relevant to the values of public participation and strengthening the responsibility of authorities in the creation and management of public policies.

Additional information This measure is complementary to the goals and activities of the National Strategy in the field of climate change until 2030. New Strategy for Youth 2023-2027. climate change and environmental protection will also be recognized as areas in which young people should be more involved and contribute to solving the problems of climate change and environmental protection. The implementation of this measure should contribute to the realization of the goals of sustainable development, especially goal 13 (climate action) and goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) and related tasks 16.6 - building effective, responsible and transparent institutions and 16.7 - ensuring a responsible, inclusive , participatory and representative decision-making. These efforts are complementary to fulfilling the obligations from the accession negotiations for chapter 27 (environment and climate change).

Budget 12.000 EUR

Activities

4.1. Create a Guide for empowering young people in the fight against climate change Holder: Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Indicator for the realization of activities: Prepared Guide and online edition available on ODU and LS websites in 2023 Required financial resources: EUR 3,000 Source of funding: Budget of Montenegro, donor funds February 2023 - October 2023

4.2 Create an information sheet for young people on environmental protection Holder: Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Indicator for the implementation of activities: Created Informator and online edition available on ODU and LS websites in 2024 Required financial resources: EUR 2,000 Source of funding: Budget of Montenegro, donor funds September 2023 - February 2024

4.3 Conduct research on the position of young people and their activism in environmental initiatives/actions Holder: Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, Ministry of Sports and Youth Indicator for the implementation of activities: Conducted research and published a report with recommendations for improving the situation in 2023 Required financial resources: EUR 5,000 Source of funding: Budget of Montenegro, donor funds, January 2024 - June 2024

4.4. Organize workshops with young people on involvement in the development and implementation of environmental policies at the local level. Holder: Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism, Ministry of Sports and Youth Indicator for the implementation of activities: - Conducted two workshops with young people in 2023 and two in 2024 (in cooperation with NGOs, youth centers, LGUs) Required financial resources: EUR 2,000 Source of funding: Budget of Montenegro, donor funds September 2023 - September 2024

Action Plan Review

Commitment 4. Encourage the participation of young people in the implementation of green policies

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● Potential for results: Modest

Commitment 4 aims to encourage youth participation in green policies. It was included in the proposal of a CSO interested in seeing youth and green policies addressed in the action plan. [52] Its activities include, among others, creating guides to support youth involvement in environmental protection and organizing workshops with young people on developing green policies at the local level. The commitment does not promise direct influence of young people in decision-making in green policies at either the national or the local levels. It also does not mention if young people will be consulted on any specific laws. Institut Alternativa recommends linking this commitment to other related reforms. [53]