The inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee for the project “Optimizing Development Coordination: Advancing Planning and Reporting through Information System Enhancement, Phase 1,” organized by the Secretariat General of the Government of Montenegro, took place today. This meeting serves as the official launch of the implementation of a pivotal institutional initiative aimed at enhancing reform coordination and meeting obligations related to the European integration process.

Under the chairmanship of the Secretariat General of the Government, the Steering Committee is tasked with providing strategic oversight during project implementation. It is also responsible for adopting key planning documents and ensuring guidance aligns with institutional developments and European commitments.

The project’s main goal is to develop a unified governmental platform that integrates all significant reporting avenues — including the EU accession process, the Reform Agenda, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), IPA projects, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and various international obligations. This strategy will create a structured, transparent, and effective mechanism for monitoring and reporting on reforms. A crucial element of this initiative is the enhancement and expansion of the Information System for Planning and Reporting. The upgraded system will facilitate centralized, standardized, and digital reporting, ensure compatibility with various databases, and support real-time monitoring of reform progress.

This initiative is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Government, the Ministry of European Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Public Administration — all key players in the project’s initial phase. The entire project is aligned with the current institutional framework and government mechanisms for reform coordination. Funding comes from the European Union through the EU Reform Facility, with the UNDP handling technical implementation. The total project budget is USD 2,013,193, with Phase 1 (2025–2027) receiving USD 1,049,259 from EU funds, while the Government of Montenegro provides in-kind support valued at USD 114,025. Phase 2, planned for 2027, will focus on extending the system to local self-government units and incorporating all sectoral strategies and programs. It will also include functionalities for monitoring the use of EU funds post-accession, in accordance with the EU’s cohesion policy.

This initiative marks a significant step forward for Montenegro in the context of EU integration and the broader public administration reform agenda. By establishing a scalable digital system that consolidates reporting streams, the country is enhancing its institutional capacity for planning, monitoring, and managing reforms — fostering increased transparency, efficiency, and alignment with European and international standards.