Towards More Evidence-Based Policy Making in Montenegro in the Context of the Advaced Stage of EU Accession Negotiations

Author(s): Almedina Vukić

Date: 2019

Publisher: NISPAcee Press

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The Public Policy Paper was developed within the NISPAcee project "PRACTIC - From Policy Design to Policy Practice in the European Integration Context” supported by EC ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet Action – Jean Monnet Project.

Almedina Vukić, Department for Strategies of the Government, Secretariat-General of the Government, Podgorica, Montenegro

Abstract

The main findings in this paper will be focused on the effects of the new system of policy planning and the current impact of the mentioned legal and methodological framework. The paper will verify whether or not the gradual steps that have been made until now have contributed to the changing environment in strategic planning in Montenegro. The subjects of the analysis were strategic documents already in force, as well as opinions of the Department for Government Strategies (DGS) on drafts and proposals of strategic documents and reports. The analysis implies that more emphasis should not only be placed on quality drafts of strategic documents and reports, but also that more should be done to improve the capacities of civil servants, raise awareness of high-level officials and put policy coordination issues high on the political agenda. The paper suggests that the Government of Montenegro, including line ministries and Secretariat–General (SGG), must focus on its resources and visibility in order to improve the quality of strategic documents, promote an evidence-based approach and build this "culture” within the public administration.