LocationsResearch on the needs of youth in the Capital city presented
June 28, 2022
Podgorica, 28 June 2022 – As shown by the Research on the Needs of Youth and Evaluation of Youth Policies in the Capital City, more than 80% of young citizens of Podgorica believe that youth can influence changes in society. However, half of them are unaware of the Youth Club or non-governmental organisations that work with young people, nor do they get involved in decision-making processes in the local community because they do not know how to engage.
The research was carried out as part of the Regional Program of Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) initiative, a project implemented by UNDP in Montenegro with the financial support of the European Union, with the aim of strengthening the position of youth in local communities.
The analysis has also shown that most young people from Podgorica do not believe there are any job opportunities for them. More than 40% of young people have not registered with the Employment Agency of Montenegro. The most common reason they mention is that they do not see the benefit of registration. Most young people are not involved in non-formal education programmes and training (75.8%), because they believe that additional education would not help them find employment or progress in their careers. The finding that two-thirds of young people in Podgorica do not consider the option of starting their own business is also indicative, because they think they lack courage and creativity, Dr Vojin Golubovic, from the Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognoses, which conducted research for the needs of the ReLOaD2 initiative, said.
In her opening speech, the representative of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ana Mariguesa, said that an inclusive and innovative society was not possible without the inclusion of the youth. "Especially in 2022, when we celebrate the European Year of Youth, the discussion on youth policies and needs is a priority for the Delegation. Both through ReLOaD2, which we implement in cooperation with UNDP, and through other initiatives funded by the EU, our goal is to offer solutions to mitigate the trend of young people who want to leave their municipality or country," she said.
The analysis included an assessment of existing legal frameworks and strategies, focus groups with young people in 15 municipalities, in-depth interviews with decision-makers, and quantitative research on a sample of 1,818 young people. The full research report can be downloaded here.
The informal discussion organised today in the European House and research findings indicated the existence of different perspectives by local self-government and youth. Institutions, for example, believe that the cultural offer of the city is rich, while young people are of the opinion that such cultural contents are uninteresting to them or that announcements do not even reach them. All those present expressed the importance of close cooperation of all parts of society and the need for more flexible youth policies. The legislative and strategic frameworks are well developed, and young people have extraordinary potential, but it is necessary to establish more effective communication between local self-government and young people.
The number of young people who do not read books, do not have hobbies, do not engage in any physical activity, do not attend cultural events and the like is alarmingly high. Although some of the findings represent a cause for concern, the research should be seen as an excellent basis for the development of better youth policies, Dzenana Scekic ReLOaD2 project manager Montenegro, said today.
The goal of the ReLOaD programme is, among other things, to encourage young people to get involved in decision-making and improve their economic position. To better understand the needs and habits of young people, the research covered a whole set of issues important for the life and engagement of young people in 15 municipalities that took part in the project within five clusters:
Tara – the municipalities of Mojkovac, Kolasin and Pljevlja,
Coastal Mates – the municipalities of Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor and Tivat,
Together for the North – the municipalities of Andrijevica and Berane,
Niksic and Pluzine together – the municipalities of Niksic and Pluzine,
The Central Region – the Capital City of Podgorica, the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje, the municipality within the Capital city of Podgorica – Golubovci and the Municipality of Danilovgrad.
Some of the most important research findings for other municipalities can be found in the following video:
