Key step toward more effective strategic planning and digital transformation of public administration

Organized by the Secretariat General of the Government of Montenegro, the inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee for the project "Optimizing Development Coordination: Advancing Planning and Reporting through Information System Enhancement, Phase 1" was held today. This meeting officially marks the start of the implementation of one of Montenegro’s key institutional initiatives aimed at improving reform coordination and fulfilling obligations stemming from the European integration process.

Chaired by the Secretariat General of the Government, the Steering Committee plays a strategic oversight role in project implementation. It is responsible for adopting key planning documents and providing guidance in line with institutional developments and European commitments.

The primary objective of the project is to establish a unified governmental platform that consolidates all major reporting streams — including the EU accession process, the Reform Agenda, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), IPA projects, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other international obligations. This approach will introduce a structured, transparent, and efficient mechanism for monitoring and reporting on reforms. A central component of the initiative is the enhancement and expansion of the Information System for Planning and Reporting. The upgraded system will enable centralized, standardized, and digital reporting, ensure interoperability with various databases, and support real-time monitoring of reform progress.

The initiative is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Secretariat General of the Government, the Ministry of European Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Public Administration, all of whom are key actors in the project's first phase. The entire project is aligned with existing institutional framework and government mechanisms for reform coordination. The project is funded by the European Union through the EU Reform Facility, with UNDP responsible for technical implementation. The total project budget amounts to USD 2,013,193, with Phase 1 (2025–2027) financed with USD 1,049,259 from EU funds, while the Government of Montenegro contributes in-kind support valued at USD 114,025. Phase 2, scheduled for 2027, will focus on expanding the system to local self-government units and incorporating all sectoral strategies and programmes. It will also introduce functionalities for monitoring the use of EU funds post-accession, in line with the EU’s cohesion policy.

This initiative represents a strategic advancement for Montenegro within the context of EU integration and the broader public administration reform agenda. By establishing a scalable digital system that unifies reporting streams, the country is strengthening its institutional capacity for planning, monitoring, and managing reforms — promoting greater transparency, efficiency, and alignment with European and international standards.