General context of youth participation

Youth participation in Montenegro in 2026 shows a positive overall trend, with the country achieving the highest regional youth participation index (69.7). This indicates that young people are increasingly engaged in different forms of civic, political, and socio-economic life. At the same time, participation is still largely formal and uneven in terms of real influence on decision-making processes.

A key feature of youth participation is the strong emphasis on civic engagement outside traditional political structures. Young people are more likely to be active through non-governmental organisations, informal initiatives, volunteering activities, and local community projects, rather than through political parties. Trust in formal political institutions remains relatively low, which affects the level of direct political participation such as party membership or electoral candidacy.

From an economic perspective, youth participation in the labour market is relatively high for the region, with a participation rate of around 59%. However, structural challenges remain significant. Youth unemployment, skills mismatch between education and labour market needs, and limited access to quality entry-level jobs continue to be major barriers. As a result, economic participation does not always translate into stable or meaningful integration into the labour market.

Despite progress, several barriers continue to shape youth participation. Traditional social norms often limit the perception of young people as active decision-makers, especially within family and community contexts. This can reduce their confidence and opportunities to engage in wider societal processes. In addition, there are clear regional disparities, with young people in northern municipalities facing more limited access to opportunities, infrastructure, and institutional support compared to those in central and southern regions.

Institutionally, youth policy frameworks in Montenegro increasingly promote the concept of active citizenship, focusing on young people as agents of change in local communities. National youth strategy emphasise participation, empowerment, and inclusion, encouraging young people to take part in problem-solving processes at local and national levels.

Youth participation in Montenegro in 2026 reflects a generally positive trend, as evidenced by the country’s leading regional youth participation index. Young people are increasingly engaged in civic, social, and economic life, particularly through non-formal channels such as NGOs, volunteering, and local initiatives. However, this engagement is often not translated into meaningful influence within formal political and decision-making structures, largely due to low institutional trust, limited awareness of participation mechanisms, and persistent socio-economic barriers.

Despite institutional efforts to promote active citizenship and inclusion, youth participation at the local level remains limited and uneven. Structural challenges such as unemployment, skills mismatch, regional disparities, and weak institutional communication continue to constrain young people’s effective involvement. As a result, while overall participation is increasing, it remains fragmented and insufficiently integrated into formal decision-making processes, limiting the full realisation of youth as active agents of change.

Main concepts

Youth participation in Montenegro is understood as the active involvement of young people in social, political, and civic life, especially in processes that influence decisions affecting their present and future. In official policy documents, it is closely linked to the idea of active citizenship, meaning that young people are not only beneficiaries of policies, but also actors who contribute to shaping them.

The concept is defined in the Law on Youth of Montenegro, where youth participation is based on the principle of inclusion in decision-making processes at local and national level. This includes participation through institutional mechanisms such as consultations, youth councils, and structured dialogue with decision-makers, as well as through non-formal engagement in civil society.

A key policy framework further developing this concept is the National Youth Strategy of Montenegro 2023-2027, which emphasizes youth participation as both a goal and a tool for strengthening democratic society. The Strategy promotes young people as partners in governance and highlights the importance of creating conditions for their meaningful engagement in public life.

Youth participation in Montenegro includes a combination of formal and informal mechanisms. Formal participation refers to involvement in institutional processes such as public consultations, advisory bodies, and structured dialogue with government institutions. Informal participation takes place through youth organisations, non-governmental organisations, volunteering, and local community initiatives.

An important dimension of the concept is also social inclusion, which ensures that all young people, regardless of region, socioeconomic background, or other barriers have equal opportunities to participate. 

The concept is increasingly expanding to include digital participation (e-participation), where young people use online platforms and digital tools to express opinions, take part in consultations, and engage with public institutions.

Institutional framework and democracy

The institutional framework for youth rights and participation in Montenegro is a structured system of public authorities and advisory bodies responsible for developing and implementing youth policy. It is primarily regulated by the Law on Youth of Montenegro, which defines the principles of youth participation, institutional responsibilities, and mechanisms for including young people in decision-making processes.

From a constitutional and democratic perspective, youth in Montenegro benefit from the same fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens under the Constitution of Montenegro, including: the right to equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, the right to participate in public affairs directly or through representatives,  the right to education and work, protection of human dignity and non-discrimination.

These rights form the legal foundation for youth participation in democratic life and ensure that young people can engage in political, social, and civic processes on an equal basis.

In Montenegro, young people gain the right to vote at the age of 18. The Constitution guarantees every adult citizen the right to participate in free and democratic elections. It also protects equality before the law, freedom of expression, and the right to take part in public affairs. These rights ensure that young citizens can actively influence political and social life in the country.

At the institutional level, youth policy is coordinated through a multi-level governance system:

The central institution responsible for youth policy is the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, which operates through its Directorate for Youth. It is in charge of coordinating youth policy, monitoring the situation of young people, and implementing national youth programmes and services.

The Government of Montenegro adopts key strategic documents, including the Youth Strategy 2023–2027 and related action plans, which define priorities such as youth participation, employment, education, and social inclusion.

A key advisory mechanism is the Youth Council of Montenegro, a consultative body that monitors the implementation of youth policy, provides recommendations for its improvement, and participates in the development of relevant legislation. It includes representatives from state institutions and civil society organisations.

In addition, the Presidential Council for Youth Initiatives provides an additional institutional channel for youth engagement, enabling young people to directly discuss issues such as education, employment, human rights, and social development at a high political level.

Local level institutions

At the local level, municipalities, including the Capital City Podgorica and the Old Royal Capital Cetinje are responsible for adopting Local Youth Action Plans and ensuring the implementation of youth policies in their communities.

Local Youth Councils operate as advisory bodies that facilitate dialogue between young people and local authorities, enabling youth input into local decision-making processes. An example is the Youth Council of the Capital City Podgorica.

Youth centres and youth clubs provide physical spaces for youth work, non-formal education, and community engagement. 

Examples: 

• Podgorica - Local Youth Action Plan
• Cetinje - Local Youth Action Plan
• Kotor - Local Youth Action Plan

Civil society and youth organisations

Youth organisations and organisations working with youth represent key stakeholders in the implementation of youth policy. They operate in partnership with the state and local authorities, often through public funding mechanisms and competitive grant schemes. These organisations play a crucial role in promoting civic engagement, volunteering, non-formal education, and advocacy.

Overview of young people’s participation in society and politics

Youth participation in Montenegro is characterized by a well-developed institutional framework, yet it is simultaneously marked by significant passivity and a lack of trust in formal political processes.

The research “Research and Assessment of Youth Policies and Youth Needs in 15 Local Self-Government Units (LSUs)” indicates that youth participation in public life and decision-making processes at the local level remains limited and insufficiently developed. The findings show that young people are largely passive when it comes to engaging in social and political processes within their communities, despite the existence of formal mechanisms intended to enable their active involvement.

One of the key conclusions is that young people rarely participate in local decision-making processes, with a notable lack of awareness about available participation opportunities. Many young people are not sufficiently informed about mechanisms such as youth councils, youth offices, or various consultative processes, which significantly limits their involvement.

The research also highlights a lack of trust among young people in institutions, as well as a perception that their interests and needs are not adequately taken into account when policies are designed and implemented. This perception further contributes to their detachment from formal participation channels and reinforces their passivity.

In addition, the study identifies low levels of motivation and civic engagement among a portion of young people, which is linked not only to a lack of information but also to broader socio-economic conditions, including unemployment, limited future prospects, and insufficient opportunities for quality leisure and personal development. These factors collectively reduce young people’s interest in actively engaging in their local communities.

Structural barriers further hinder youth participation, including underdeveloped local youth policies, weak communication between institutions and young people, and the absence of a systematic approach to ensuring their continuous involvement in decision-making processes.

Political Participation and Representation

In 2024, Montenegro achieved the highest youth participation index in the region (69.7). However, data indicates that the primary challenges remain within the political and economic spheres.

Young people are underrepresented in decision-making positions. Although political parties maintain youth wings, their actual influence is limited, and youth often feel their interests are only prioritized during election cycles.

Research shows that approximately 62.7% of young people are not interested in politics. The main drivers for this are feelings of marginalization and a lack of belief that their involvement can spark real change.

While highly active on social media, youth interaction with political content remains largely passive, consisting mostly of following news rather than launching civic campaigns.

Civic Engagement and Activism

The Strategy for Youth 2023–2027 prioritizes the development of youth as "active citizens" who are integral to community development.

The Parliament of Montenegro regularly organizes educational initiatives such as the Youth Parliament, which serves as a platform for direct dialogue between young people and state institutions.

Current action plan for Strategy for Youth 2025–2026 aim to strengthen mechanisms for the official recognition of volunteer work to ensure it is viewed as a contribution to society rather than just unpaid labor.

Young people in Montenegro also participate actively in society through many youth organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations encourage volunteering, education, activism, human rights protection, and youth participation in decision-making processes. Some well-known youth and civil society organizations include Forum MNE, Juventas, Centre for Civic Education, Mladiinfo Montenegro, Network for Youth Activism of Montenegro, Youth Network of Montenegro and others. Through projects, workshops, campaigns, and community activities, young people develop leadership skills and become more engaged in democratic processes.

In 2024, state-run youth services (centers and clubs) recorded approximately 5,000 visits, providing a space for non-formal education and community projects.

Key Trends and Sentiments 

Recent surveys from 2025 indicate that 70.6% of young people support Montenegro’s membership in the European Union..

The YOUTHPOINT project has established a digital research database to ensure that future youth policies are based on real-time data and specific youth needs

Despite a well-developed institutional framework, research and youth surveys indicate that challenges remain in practice. A significant proportion of young people report that institutions do not sufficiently take their opinions into account, and that their influence on decision-making processes is still limited. This highlights a gap between formal mechanisms of participation and their actual effectiveness in ensuring meaningful youth involvement in democratic governance.