Montenegro’s independent cultural scene appeals to European institutions: 26 NGOs raise concerns
Twenty-six non-governmental organisations working in the field of culture have sent letters to European institutions and organisations, with the aim of informing them about the circumstances and challenges faced by Montenegro’s independent cultural scene.
The appeal was addressed to the European Commission, namely Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and her colleagues, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro, Europa Nostra, the Secretariat of the Faro Convention at the Council of Europe, as well as the Secretariat of European Heritage Days.
The letter outlines the long-standing challenges faced by Montenegrin non-governmental organisations working in the cultural sector, including issues concerning their position in the development of cultural policies and the conditions for the development of an independent cultural scene. The appeal was further prompted by the ongoing public consultation on the Draft Law on Culture.
- This appeal to European institutions does not constitute a substitute for participation in the public consultation on the Draft Law on Culture. On the contrary, the signatory organisations will submit their detailed comments, proposals and suggestions concerning specific legislative provisions to the Ministry within the prescribed procedure and within the stipulated deadline, namely by 14 September 2026, when the public consultation ends - the NGOs said in a statement.
By addressing European institutions, the NGO representatives sought to inform relevant European stakeholders about issues they consider important for improving the position of civil society organisations in the cultural sector, particularly in view of the final stage of Montenegro’s accession process to the European Union.
- We hope that the new Law on Culture will finally create the conditions for more equal participation of civil society organisations in the development and implementation of Montenegro’s cultural policy - the signatories of the appeal said.
The signatories are EXPEDITIO, Centre for Sustainable Spatial Development, Kotor; Society of Friends of Boka Heritage, Kotor; Cultural and Heritage Association „Napredak“, Gornja Lastva; Bankada, Sveti Stefan; KANA / Who If Not the Architect, Podgorica; Dr Martin Schneider-Jacoby Association – MSJA, Ulcinj; Medaur, the Association for the Preservation of Risna’s Cultural Heritage, Risan; Don Branko Sbutega Foundation, Kotor; ŠkArt, Tivat; Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije, Berane; NOVA – Centre for Feminist Culture, Podgorica; Sveti Stefan – Our Home, Sveti Stefan; Educational Centre, Bar; Korifej Theatre, Kolašin; Feral Association, Budva; Agora, Budva; Folklore Ensemble „Nikola Đurković“, Kotor; Cultural and Artistic Centre „Kadena“, Tivat; ZaDruga, Petrovac; Gradionica, Bar; Manoveki, Bar; Centre for the Study and Protection of Montenegro’s Cultural Heritage, Budva; Institute for Contemporary Art, Cetinje; Pogon, Bar; and the Association for Cultural Development „Bauo“, Petrovac.