The important role of municipalities, youth services and the Ministry of Sports and Youth in creating opportunities and spaces for young people to become active, engaged and empowered members of their communities was highlighted during the opening of a capacity-building programme on the development of local youth action plans supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. The initiative aims to strengthen local capacities to design and implement youth policies that are responsive to the needs of young people and aligned with broader local and national development priorities.
Through two two-day training sessions held from 8 to 12 June, a total of 30 participants (17 women and 13 men) representing 18 municipalities enhanced their knowledge and skills in setting priorities for local youth action plans, developing activities that address the needs of young people and strengthening cooperation among institutions and stakeholders responsible for youth-related issues.
The training programme, designed and delivered by two local consultants with extensive experience in youth work, underscored the importance of coordinated action among local authorities, youth services and national institutions in ensuring that young people have meaningful opportunities to participate in public life and contribute to the development of their communities.
Special attention was given to inclusive youth outreach, particularly the engagement of vulnerable and underrepresented groups of young people. Participants explored practical approaches to needs assessment and participatory planning, while receiving support in designing evidence-based actions and measures that respond to identified community needs and align with local development priorities, national youth policy frameworks, and broader strategic objectives.
Following the training, the consultants will provide mentoring support to municipal representatives throughout the finalization of their local youth action plans. This follow-up assistance is intended to help ensure that the plans are tailored to the specific needs and priorities identified during the drafting process and reflect the unique circumstances of each local community, ultimately contributing to the creation of more inclusive, responsive and effective youth policies at the local level.
