An EU-funded project implemented by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Objectives

The programme is designed to strengthen the administrative capacity of the parliamentary institutions and align it with European standards.
 

Project Purpose

• To offer a comparative analysis of the Rules of Procedure and of the various laws, primarily the legislation on political parties, with a view to their harmonisation;
• To offer European expertise to committees with a view to enabling parliamentary actors to improve their performance, particularly in relation to the requirement of the Stabilisation and Association Process, and to offer experiences of constructive political culture and to raise awareness via seminars for parliamentarians as regards their rights and obligations;
• To offer insights into European political practice via study visits in parliaments having accomplished the transition to democracy;
• To organize English language and computer courses enabling parliamentarians and staff to develop international contacts and gain more ready access to information.
   

Expected Results

• Streamlining of organisational structures of parliamentarians;
• Transfer of experiences of efficiently functioning parliaments, increased knowledge on the part of parliamentarians and permanent staff as regards the adaptation of legislative work to European norms and the requirements of the stabilisation and accession process; Increased political stability and European-minded leadership, to be supported by the transfer of experiences on the role of parliament in democracy, rights and obligations of Members of Parliament, etc.
• Improved knowledge of Members of Parliament as regards European political practice via study visits;
• Improved capacity of parliaments to establish international contacts and gain independent access to information through training.
   

Beneficiaries

• The beneficiaries include the two Parliaments, National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro
• Other beneficiaries are the MPs and the permanent staff of both assemblies.

There are two kinds of service providers: MPs, who shape and enact legislation and regulations of Parliament to the citizenry, and permanent staff, who provide services to the MPs. Service providers are the principal beneficiaries of this project, with the aim to reach the level of optimal service to their clients.

In the long run it is to be expected that the general public will benefit as well. Increased capacities of the Parliament as an institution as well as increased and improved skills of MPs and staff, accompanied by a better knowledge of international standards, should be reflected in their work, in particular in scrutinizing and adopting new legislation, as well as in an increased awareness of MPs and staff as regards their rights and responsibilities.