Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro
When equality becomes real for everyone
For many people in Montenegro, discrimination is not always loud or visible. It can happen quietly, in a job interview that never leads anywhere, in access to services, or in everyday interactions that leave someone feeling excluded or stigmatized. Often, those affected are unsure whether what...
Call for proposals: support to civil society organisations (CSOs) for fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Montenegro
Within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III), and its Action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”, a new call for proposals has been launched to support civil...
Understanding hate, building stronger foundations for our communities
After months of online attacks, Aleksandra* from Montenegro started self-censorship. She withdrew from advocating for her community and even her own rights. Every post, every comment, every debate had become a battlefield, and the cost of speaking out had grown unbearable. This is one of the...
Mapping hate speech in Montenegro highlights need for awareness, education and stronger institutional response
The report “Mapping Hate Speech in Montenegro” was presented today in Podgorica identifying key challenges and gaps in responding to hatred and protecting its victims, especially those from marginalised groups. Based on multi-year research, it shows that hate speech is increasingly normalised,...
Public servants gain practical tools to tackle antigypsyism in Montenegro
Public servants in Montenegro strengthened their practical ability to recognise, prevent, and address discrimination, including antigypsyism, during an online training held on 26 November within the EU and Council of Europe Joint Programme Roma Integration Phase III, in synergy with the...
Montenegro authorities move forward with legal harmonisation of same-sex partnerships
Ensuring that same-sex couples can fully exercise their rights in Montenegro remained at the centre of discussions as institutions gathered once again in Podgorica to review ongoing efforts to harmonise national legislation with the Law on Same-Sex Partnerships. Participants examined progress...
Better education and labour rights for Roma: Council of Europe and NGO Young Roma launch new project in Montenegro
The Council of Europe Programme Office in Montenegro and the NGO Young Roma from Herceg Novi have officially signed an agreement launching the project “ROMA IN: Local Actions for Inclusive Work and Education of Roma in Montenegro”, aimed at strengthening the fight against discrimination, hatred,...
United Against Hate: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Combat Discrimination
The regional workshop “Police Operating in Diverse Societies: Addressing Hatred Against Ethnic and Religious Minorities” held in Durres, Albania, underscored the commitment of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the regional partners to combat all forms of hatred and discrimination. The...
Young European Ambassadors unite across borders to counter hatred and promote equality
A two-day workshop held in Tirana, Albania, brought together 55 Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. The participants included 40 YEAs who joined online and 15 who attended in person. This event aimed to improve their abilities to combat...
Call for tenders: Purchase of international legal and policy consultancy services on discrimination, hate speech, hate crime, and antigypsism
As part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” , action on “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”, which aims to strengthen efforts against discrimination, hatred, and intolerance in Montenegro, the Council of Europe...
Call for tenders: Purchase of consultancy in legal, policy, and awareness-raising expertise on combating homophobia, lesbophobia, transphobia, and anti-gypsyism
As part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” , action on “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”, which aims to strengthen efforts against discrimination, hatred, and intolerance in Montenegro, the Council...
Regional co-operation key to tackling discrimination and racism
Law enforcement institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the Republic of Moldova met in Podgorica on 26-28 September with the aim to address racism, discrimination, and the protection of minority groups, especially the LGBTI community. This...
Vacancy notice: Project Officer
Within the framework of the joint European Union/Council of Europe Programme ”Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” the Council of Europe is opening a new vacancy for the position Project Officer of the Action ”Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro‟. Deadline for...
Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination: a new resource for police trainers in the Western Balkans
The Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination translated into local languages of the Western Balkans is finally out and available for download. Law enforcement plays a key role in combating racism and racial discrimination, and in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule...
Assisting the Government of Montenegro in assessing the effectiveness of the 2019-2023 LGBTI Strategy
The report on the Montenegro's LGBTI National Strategy 2019-2023 was presented at the Europe House in Podgorica on 5 March 2024. The presentation took place at the presence of representatives from national authorities, including the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, the Ombudsperson, the...
Young European Ambassadors sending a loud and clear message from Budapest: Say NO to hatred!
More than 50 Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) got introduced to methods on how to effectively address hate speech and discrimination. This will enable the YEAs to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of equality and diversity, ultimately contributing to combating hate...
Confronting hate speech in Montenegro: insights from the first workshop in Podgorica and the group discussions with civil society organisations and public officials
During an activity taking place on 19 - 20 October in Podgorica, Montenegro stakeholders came together to address the critical issue of hate speech and its impact at the societal level. This collaborative initiative, organised by the European Union and the Council of Europe, local civil society...
Advancing in ensuring equal rights for everyone in Montenegro, no matter the gender identity
An additional session of the working group in charge for drafting a proposal for a law regulating legal gender identity, took place on the 4 and 5 July 2023 in Andrijevica. This activity sought the co-operation between the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro, relevant civil...
Level of discrimination against Roma and Egyptians still high in Montenegro, says Ombudsperson’s report
The Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro (Ombudsperson) presented its 2022 Report on Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro at a conference supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe, held in Podgorica today. In his introductory speech, the Ombudsman Siniša Bjeković,...
Call for tenders: provision of communication and public relations, multimedia and graphic design services
Within the framework of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, the Council of Europe is currently implementing the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”. In this context, it is looking for a maximum of...