Activities / News

From dialogue between citizens and institutions emerged a document that connects the community and paves the way for new partnerships

The Municipality of Bijelo Polje has adopted the Charter on Social Cohesion – a strategic document that reaffirms the local government’s commitment to building a community based on trust, solidarity, and equal opportunities for all citizens.

The Charter is the result of an open dialogue between institutions and the community, preceded by the Local Dialogue “The Community Drives Change.” During this inclusive process, citizens of Bijelo Polje, together with representatives of relevant institutions, identified key priorities, challenges, and solutions that will contribute to greater trust and mutual cooperation.

One of the 105 participants of the Local Dialogue, Elvira Selimović, shared her experience: “As a single mother, I face a number of obstacles, which is why I applied to take part in the Local Dialogue, hoping to gain useful information. This event was completely different from any workshop or training I had previously attended. People from different parts of society gathered around the same table – Roma, women, youth, the elderly, representatives of institutions and the civil sector. Listening to others’ experiences, I realized I am not alone – that others, regardless of their background, face similar problems and seek the same solutions.”

The Charter on Social Cohesion sets a clear framework for future action in areas of shared importance – from improving quality of life to strengthening social inclusion and preventing hate speech.

The experiences of Bijelo Polje were also shared at the National Dialogue, held last month in Podgorica, where recommendations from the local level — developed through joint efforts of citizens and decision-makers — were presented to state institutions. “The most important message of our initiative is that cohesion begins with ourselves. Citizens should take the initiative within their communities, instead of waiting for decisions to come from ‘the top,’” stated the Municipality of Bijelo Polje.

An inspiring message for fellow citizens comes from Adnan Kujović, Montenegro’s first parajudo athlete and a law student, who actively participated in both the Bijelo Polje and National Dialogues: “Always keep in mind that this planet does not belong only to us as individuals, but to all of us together. Therefore, let us be in solidarity above all.” His full story can be viewed here.

By adopting the Charter, the municipality is establishing a sustainable model of local partnership between citizens and institutions, aimed at long-term strengthening of trust, inclusiveness, and community resilience. The principles of the Charter are already being implemented through initiatives carried out in partnership with UNDP, within the framework of the program “Together for the Common Good.” In this context, the NGOs “Brain” and “Nova žena” are contributing through their projects to the building of shared values.

The NGO “Brain” is implementing the project “Together Against Stress,” which organizes professional workshops for employed individuals aged 30 to 50 who are exposed to various stressful situations. The workshops help participants manage stress, develop personal resilience, and improve interpersonal skills. As part of one activity, participants visit elderly people and stroke survivors, fostering empathy, solidarity, and a sense of togetherness through social interaction.

The NGO “Nova žena” connects young people with disabilities from rural areas with employers and the labor market, encouraging them to recognize their own skills and potential. Through workshops, tutorials, and collaboration with local companies, the organization raises awareness about the capabilities of young people, helping them build self-confidence and achieve economic empowerment. In this way, their initiative “I Can, I Want, and I Wish to Integrate” contributes to a more inclusive and just society in which everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the common good.

Samira Grbović from the association “Nova žena” and Ranko Mešter from the NGO “Brain” emphasize that through their own experiences — often challenging and deeply personal — they strive to provide others with guidance and support, showing that obstacles can be overcome through collective effort and mutual solidarity. Their work, they say, demonstrates the strength of a community when individuals share knowledge and help one another.

In addition, five citizens of Bijelo Polje have completed a months-long training on social cohesion for next-generation leaders. These are people from various professions and educational backgrounds, united by their enthusiasm for addressing key social challenges such as polarization, hate speech, and social exclusion. One of them, teacher Slavka Lakčević, now acts as a local leader for strengthening social connectedness within her micro-community, motivating others to engage and participate actively in community life. “I joined the NextGen program because I believe change begins with each of us — through small steps, cooperation, and setting an example for others. The school is an excellent place for that. The training inspired me to bring that spark into my classroom and surroundings, where every bit of support and every smile make a positive difference,” Lakčević says about her work with high school students.

The program “Together for the Common Good – Enhancing Citizens’ Trust and Building Resilient Communities” is jointly implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO, in partnership with the Government of Montenegro. Besides Bijelo Polje, the program is also being carried out in Bar, Ulcinj, Pljevlja, and Podgorica, with the support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.