Forthcoming policy developments

Montenegro is planning a series of targeted measures to strengthen youth inclusion, with a particular focus on young people with disabilities (YPD) and Roma and Egyptian (RE) youth. Key forthcoming policy developments include:

• Expansion of inclusive education: The Ministry of Education intends to increase the number of teaching assistants and enhance teacher training programs to better support students with disabilities. 

• Improved access to health and social services: New policies are being drafted to streamline access for YPD and RE youth, including targeted social programs and improved coordination between local authorities and service providers.

• Employment and skills development initiatives: Youth employment policies will focus on providing vocational training, mentorship, and incentives for private sector engagement in hiring young people with disabilities and marginalized youth.

• Strengthening youth participation and civic engagement: Plans include expanding the reach of the Youth Office and the Youth Card program to provide more opportunities for active engagement, volunteering, and civic participation for vulnerable youth.

• Legal and institutional reforms: Efforts are underway to ensure better implementation of existing disability and anti-discrimination laws, including monitoring mechanisms and accountability structures within the education and social sectors.

Ongoing debates

Current debates in Montenegro revolve around several persistent challenges affecting youth inclusion:

• Access to social and health services: Civil society and parents advocate for faster, more comprehensive responses from government institutions to the needs of YPD and RE youth.

• Social inclusion of RE youth: Debates focus on addressing structural inequalities, improving living conditions, increasing visibility in public life, and combating persistent discrimination.

• Youth empowerment policies: There is discussion on how to maximize the impact of youth policies, including the Youth Office and Youth Card initiatives, ensuring that these programs reach the most marginalized groups effectively.

• Sustainability of inclusive initiatives: Stakeholders highlight the need for stable funding, long-term planning, and integration of good practices.