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GAP Assessment of the preparation for Decentralised Management (DM) for IPA Components III and IV in Montenegro

Czarnogóra

EU

EC Delegation

Montenegro proclaimed its independence on 3 June 2006 after a referendum in May. On 15 October 2007, Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed to establish a legal framework for the relations between the EU and Montenegro for the entire period prior to the possible future accession. In December 2010 Montenegro received the status of a Candidate country The EU financial assistance to Montenegro is provided through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, consisting of five components: • Component I: Transition Assistance and Institution Building; • Component II: Cross-Border Cooperation; • Component III: regional Development, • Component IV: Human Resources Development • Component V: Rural Development components. As a candidate country Montenegro has access to all five Components. Currently the management of IPA funds is under the responsibility of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro (EUD). Support from the beneficiary is provided for the programming and implementation phase and to a certain extent for the tendering and contracting activities. However, decentralisation in the management of the EU financial assistance and a gradual transfer of responsibilities from the EUD to the assigned public bodies of Montenegro is one of the key priorities for both the European Commission and the Government of Montenegro. Global objective To support the process of introducing decentralised management in Montenegro for IPA Components III and IV. Specific objective(s) To determine to what extent the conditions for decentralised management are currently in place and to identify specific actions, changes and improvements required.

Start date: 2011-09-01

End date: 2011-10-31