Second SPI training held as part of the project “Empowering Community Voices: Advocating for Justice and the Rule of Law”

Free access to information · 17/06/2026

The training was dedicated to the topic “Free Access to Information (FOI) as a tool for citizen oversight and advocacy”, and brought together representatives of civil society organizations, informal groups of citizens and civic activists from several Montenegrin municipalities.

The goal of the training was to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools for more efficient use of the right to free access to information, one of the most important mechanisms for achieving transparency in the work of institutions and strengthening public accountability.

During the training, participants had the opportunity to learn about the legal framework regulating access to information of public importance in Montenegro, the procedures for submitting requests for free access to information, as well as the ways in which the collected data can be used to monitor the work of institutions, monitor the implementation of public policies, and advocate for changes of interest to local communities.

Special attention is paid to practical examples of using SPI in the work of civil society organizations, including identifying problems in the work of public administration, monitoring the spending of public funds, controlling the implementation of local and national policies, as well as launching public initiatives based on facts and official data.

Participants also had the opportunity to learn about ways of cooperating with the media and creating public campaigns based on information received from institutions, as well as using the MANS application “Ask Institutions”, which allows citizens to easily submit requests for free access to information and monitor the institutions’ responses.

Through interactive work and exchange of experiences, participants discussed the challenges they face in communicating with institutions, as well as the opportunities to contribute to greater transparency and accountability at the local and national levels through joint action.

This training is part of a broader program to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations and civic activists for more active citizen involvement in decision-making processes, oversight of the work of institutions, and promotion of the rule of law.

We thank all participants for their active participation, constructive discussion and exchange of experiences. In the coming period, new trainings and activities will be organized aimed at empowering local communities and strengthening civic participation in processes of public importance.

The project “Empowering Community Voices: Advocating for Justice and the Rule of Law” is funded by the European Union and implemented by the NGO MANS and the NGO Naša akcija with the aim of strengthening the role of citizens and civil society organizations in improving transparency, accountability and the rule of law in Montenegro.