New generation of leaders for a more modern public administration in Montenegro

To make it easier for citizens and businesses to access quality public services and enable institutions to make decisions more quickly, Montenegro is investing in the digital skills of civil servants. Today, the Human Resources Management Authority and the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) presented the Training Programme for Modern Administration at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, aimed at developing advanced digital competencies among public administration employees.

Digital transformation is not simply about introducing new software. It requires people who can identify problems, understand data and processes, and design better solutions. That is why the programme is not intended solely for IT professionals – the ideal participant may be an employee who has the best understanding of the procedure, service or problem that an institution seeks to improve.

Fully aware of the scope of this programme and the fact that, for the first time, we are engaging so intensively with technologies that are transforming the world before our eyes every day, I am confident that Next Gen Gov represents a genuine small-scale revolution in our system – one that will change the way we view investment in people, as well as the direction of their further education and professional development, said Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

The Prime Minister emphasised that, precisely because of its design, the programme forms part of Montenegro’s response to the challenges posed by rapidly advancing technologies, as well as those related to human resource capacity and the quality of public services.

Let today mark only the beginning of our collective administrative transformation – a testament that the time has come for people who lead through knowledge and by example, the Prime Minister concluded.

Minister of Public Administration Marash Dukaj stressed that “public administration reform depends on people,” addressing the participants with the following message: Technology is only our instrument; people are the drivers of transformation. You are bringing new energy, new skills and a new vision of workplace culture into our system. You are the drivers of change who are building a modern Montenegro.

Director of the Human Resources Management Authority Agron Camaj emphasised: We do not wait for the future – we build it through knowledge. Through this modern training programme, we want to empower new generations of public servants – generations that will not fear change, but will recognise it as an opportunity for the development and progress of our Montenegro.

Acting Director of ReSPA Jelena Mrdak stressed that the true value of the programme will be measured by its tangible impact within institutions and for citizens: We want participants to return to their institutions not only with a certificate, but with a concrete solution – a simpler procedure, an automated report, a prototype of a digital service, or a clear idea of how to use artificial intelligence responsibly. The ultimate result should be visible to citizens – through fewer steps, clearer information and better-quality public services.

Over 60 working days of intensive, practical and project-based learning, participants will address real-life challenges faced by public administration. The aim is to empower them not merely as users of new technologies, but as drivers of institutional change who can improve internal processes, develop digital services and transfer knowledge across their organisations.

The programme consists of four specialised learning tracks:

• Data Analytics – using data, preparing reports and developing interactive dashboards to support evidence-based decision-making;
• Data Science – applying Python, machine learning and generative artificial intelligence to public-sector challenges;
• Software Engineering – developing modern web applications, digital services and solutions for automating administrative processes;
• User Experience Design (UX) – creating simpler, more accessible and user-friendly digital services for citizens, businesses and public servants.

The long-term goal of the programme is to create a network of professionals capable of driving digital initiatives, improving public services, using artificial intelligence responsibly and contributing to building a more efficient, transparent and citizen-centred public administration in Montenegro.