The initiative titled “Gender Responsive Financing of Climate Change Resilience in Municipalities in Northern Montenegro,” currently being executed by the Center for Economic and European Studies (CEES), seeks to enhance the quality of life for women in the area.

CEES informed the Mina-business agency that the goal is to utilize budget funds in these municipalities more effectively and equitably, ensuring better protection for women against the impacts of climate change.

“To accomplish this, we are dedicated to helping local authorities comprehend women’s needs more thoroughly and to planning municipal development with a focus on gender equality, alongside activities aimed at mitigating climate change’s negative effects,” CEES stated.

The project encompasses 13 municipalities in the northern region. It is administered by CEES, in collaboration with the NGO Women’s Action, with financial backing from the Austrian Development Agency, the GBWN network, and the Swedish Development Agency (Sida).

CEES clarified that the selected municipalities were chosen due to the lesser development of the northern region and their smaller populations compared to the two other regions.

“Because of their lower developmental status, northern municipalities also have reduced administrative capabilities to enhance the budget cycle, particularly concerning the allocation of budget funds for climate change using gender-responsive budgeting,” CEES remarked.

As part of the project, CEES will suggest necessary changes to the Manual on Program Budgeting at the Local Level, or its revisions, to incorporate criteria for allocating budget funds for climate change through gender-responsive budgeting.

“We are also working on a proposal to revise the Rulebook on the methodology for developing a strategic plan for local government units, including a gender-responsive dimension and climate financing viewed from a gender perspective,” CEES added.

Some proposed amendments to relevant regulations have already been submitted, with additional proposals expected to be sent soon to pertinent ministries and local government units for review.

“We have also drafted a preliminary publication regarding gender-responsive budgeting for climate change resilience and organized the first workshop on this subject, set to occur at the end of April in the Municipality of Plav,” CEES reported.

Future plans involve continued awareness-raising in less developed municipalities on this topic and the expansion of CEES activities to support the full implementation of program classification with a gender-responsive dimension throughout the entire budget cycle, from planning to reporting and evaluation, both centrally and locally.

When asked about the main challenges in implementing gender-responsive budgeting in local communities, CEES identified the absence of a specific legal requirement mandating budget planning that considers the needs of both women and men.

“While there is a rule at the national level that budgets are developed using program budgeting—inclusive of gender considerations—this principle does not extend to municipalities. Consequently, our initial task is to raise awareness of the importance of equitable and effective budget planning at the local level,” CEES elaborated.

CEES further believes that existing laws and guidelines governing municipal budget planning require adjustment.

Additionally, enhancing the knowledge and skills of municipal staff and improving information systems are essential for facilitating easier and more efficient gender-sensitive planning and cost monitoring.

CEES also highlighted various global funds that prioritize gender equality, including the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, and other funds aimed at combating climate change.

They acknowledged that women frequently experience the immediate effects of climate change and require additional support.

“In our region, projects that integrate environmental protection and gender equality receive funding through European resources, such as the Western Balkans Investment Framework, as well as banks like the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),” CEES noted.

According to CEES representatives, Montenegro still lacks sufficient clear budgeting for initiatives specifically directed at aiding women in addressing climate change challenges, whether through agricultural, entrepreneurial, or daily life support.

“Although there exists a manual for gender-responsive budgeting at the state level, its consistent application is necessary, and budgets at both local and central levels must clearly outline how much funding is allocated to meet women’s needs amidst climate challenges. While there are support mechanisms, such as programs for women in business or agriculture, they need more precise definitions alongside clear objectives and measurable outcomes to effectively address women’s needs,” CEES asserted.

Gender-responsive budgeting guarantees that public financial planning and expenditures ensure equal benefits for both women and men.

For instance, when allocating resources for health, education, agriculture, or environmental protection, it is crucial to evaluate whether these allocations adequately meet the diverse needs of all genders.

CEES emphasizes the significance of this issue, particularly in the context of climate change.

In northern Montenegro, women are predominantly employed in sectors that are directly impacted by climate change, such as agriculture, tourism, and domestic responsibilities. However, they often encounter barriers to accessing public funds, support, and programs that facilitate adaptation to these changes.

“This is why our project aspires to assist northern municipalities in recognizing this discrepancy and ensuring that budget resources are allocated more equitably, providing women with the support they require most. Through gender-responsive budgeting, local communities can enhance their resilience to climate change, and public funds can be utilized more effectively and justly, benefiting all citizens,” CEES concluded.

The legislative framework governing gender-responsive budgeting consists of the Law on Budget and Fiscal Responsibility, the Law on Gender Equality, and annual budget regulations.

Additionally, there are manuals for program and gender-responsive budgeting, prominent in national budget planning.

“It is commendable that progress has been made in drafting the Law on the Final Budget Account for 2023, which incorporates fund allocation via program classification. The introduction of program classification into the budgeting process is essential for the success of gender-responsive budgeting; therefore, further improvements in planning and reporting through program classification are anticipated at the central level,” CEES asserted.

Simultaneously, they advocate for amendments to the legislative framework to establish a foundation for programmatic and gender-responsive budgeting at local self-government levels.

CEES intends to engage the wider community through various initiatives focusing on raising awareness, particularly at the local level, regarding the significance of planning budgets with consideration for women’s needs, especially in the fight against climate change.

“As part of this project, at least three workshops will be organized in municipalities throughout northern Montenegro. These workshops will convene representatives from municipal administrations responsible for budget planning and reporting, alongside representatives from NGOs, as well as women employed in sectors like agriculture, tourism, transport, and environmental protection—which are particularly susceptible to climate change,” CEES stated.

Furthermore, they aim to raise awareness about the importance of gender-responsive and climate-conscious budgeting through media channels, and they are finalizing a concise publication that clearly articulates why this approach is vital for both local governments and their constituents.

This project is one of several initiatives underway in Montenegro to enhance the effectiveness of budget fund allocations based on the requirements of all societal members.

“We view these as complementary activities by the Government, local authorities, civil society, and international organizations aimed at strategic planning and results-based budgeting, thereby achieving improved quality of life for citizens, particularly in less developed municipalities,” concluded CEES.

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