Montenegro has entered the long process of European integration and hopes to become a member of the EU at the earliest opportunity..                   

European and global standards for youth policy have been developed on the basis of tried and tested practice from around the world regarding how to implement effective youth policies. It is, therefore, in the interest of the Montenegrin authorities and the youth sector to consider such standards in the development and implementation of strategies and laws in the field of youth, as well in the development of relevant accountability structures and evaluation and monitoring mechanisms (UN System Montenegro 2016).                                                       

The Youth Strategy 2017-2021 reveals that there is no precise data on the utilization of the European and other international youth programmes to which Montenegro acceded. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the data on the utilization of the programme and increase the promotion of the existing international funds and programmes targeting youth, such as Erasmus+. Furthermore, in order to conduct the youth policy in accordance with current international standards, and to increase the effectiveness of the opportunities provided by international co-operation, the limited human resources of the Directorate of Youth and Sports should be increased. It should work proactively to establish bilateral and regional co-operation and co-operation with international institutions in Montenegro, as well as participation in the work of international bodies in the field of youth policy (UN System Montenegro 2016).                           

Regional Office for Youth Co-operation (RYCO)                                             

Regional Office for Youth Co-operation (RYCO) has developed several programs to support the peacebuilding and reconciliation process and intercultural learning and dialogue and create strong and sustainable links among young people, NGOs, schools, students and their communities. The programs provide mobility opportunities to young people mainly within the Western Balkan6 region and strengthen their intercultural skills and understanding of processes of reconciliation and dealing with the past. 

The most prominent programs are: 

• ROUTE WB6 - regional volunteering scheme, 

• RISE - regional social entrepreneurship program, 

• Superschools - regional school exchange program serving as a platform for establishing partnerships between high schools in the Western Balkans region through calls for project ideas for high school exchanges, and grant making program supporting youth exchanges implemented by the NGOs. 

Moreover, methodology for peer and teacher education in intercultural learning, peacebuilding and reconciliation has been developed.

The Western Balkans Youth Lab Project                                           

This project as it promotes and supports cross-border cooperation between non-EU member countries in the Western Balkans.It is also important to mention the new three-year project of the RCC (Council for Regional Cooperation) called "Youth Laboratory of the Western Balkans", which is funded by the European Union. The goal of the project is to give young people the opportunity to participate in decision-making in six economies of the Western Balkans, among which is Montenegro, by establishing youth laboratories, which together with policy makers will deal with issues of importance for this social category, such as which are employment, entrepreneurship, education and the like https://www.rcc.int/youthlab.