The first National Workshop on "Participatory Local Strategic Planning" was organised in Podgorica within the framework of Phase II of the Joint EU-CoE ROMACTED Programme. The event followed the official launch conference, which took place on 18 November in Hotel Hilton in Podgorica.

The workshop gathered together the delegated municipal contact points from seven municipalities and the Capital of Podgorica in Montenegro and local facilitators, and aimed at building capacities on principles of strategic planning at local level and working methods through the four steps of the ROMACTED methodology.

The opening remarks were addressed by the ROMACTED Programme Manager Marina Vasić, Head of the Division for Roma and Egyptian Inclusion (Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights) Sokolj Beganaj, ROMACTED Project Officer for Montenegro Milica Kovačević and ROMACTED Focal Point Samir Jaha. The event was facilitated by the members of the ROMACTED Team.

Participants were given more detailed information related to all four steps of the ROMACTED methodology. A special focus was on the first two steps, which are ongoing or soon to follow. Thus, contact persons and facilitators discussed ways for qualitative and effective work with Community Action Groups and Institutional Working Groups. The activities planned for the next quarter have also been announced, namely assessing the needs of communities and assessing municipalities' capacities. The teams were drafting joint action plans, which they are also expected to work on in the future period.

Joint EU-CoE ROMACTED Phase 2 will continue the implementation of its methodology in Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Herceg Novi, Niksic, Ulcinj, Tivan, and the Capital City of Podgorica (Konik Camp).