On July 3, 2025, in Podgorica, at the Ramada Hotel, a Round Table was held on the topic of “Legal, Social and Cultural Aspects of Migration: Challenges and Opportunities for the Integration of Vulnerable Categories of Foreigners in Montenegro” with the financial support of the European Union within the project: Inclusion of Foreigners in the Western Balkans – Access to Social and Economic Rights (FOSTER).
The Round Table presented “Analysis of the Legal Framework on the Social and Economic Rights of Vulnerable Foreigners in Montenegro”, authored by Marijana Sinđić. In her research, she dealt with the legal framework, strategic documents, state authorities and bodies dealing with migration issues, and the access of migrants to social and economic rights.
From the perspective of the Directorate for the Integration of Foreigners with Granted International Protection and the Reintegration of Returnees upon Readmission, we heard an overview of the current situation, the structure of migrants, countries of origin, as well as practical challenges.
We also discussed the cultural and social challenges that migrants face in the capital of Montenegro. Communication barriers, social stigmatization and lack of cultural diversity are the key causes of this problem.
The round table was attended by representatives of state institutions, the Employment Agency, the Health Insurance Fund, the Center for Social Work, the Directorate for Asylum, the Directorate for the Reception of Foreigners Seeking International Protection, the Directorate for the Integration of Foreigners with Granted International Protection, representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine to Montenegro, a representative of the Montenegrin Red Cross and non-governmental organizations.
The project is funded by the European Union under the program “Civil Society and Media Instrument for the Western Balkans and Turkey for the period 2021–2023 (IPA III)”, under the lot “Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Intercultural Dialogue”.
