Summary of the project implemented by Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG)
In order to respond to the increasing threats to the political, social and economic stability of Montenegro, but also the WB region, CIN-CG plans to investigate and raise awareness of the general public in the country and the region about main activities and projects, with possible elements of corruption, or suspicious capital that may endanger the environment and stability in the long-run, through a series of investigative articles and other awareness mechanisms.
Project goals
The proposed project has the overall aim to contribute to the future EU integration of Montenegro and the region, while promoting freedom of expression and greater influence of the public and civil society on decision-making of regional significance. This aim will be achieved by fulfilling one specific objective of the project: Increased awareness of the public of Montenegro, but also of the region, about external influences on the stability of the countries of the Western Balkans, through a series of investigative articles about threats to the environment and the safety of citizens, as a result of projects with elements of corruption, dubious capital and money origin, in various sectors.
Beneficiaries
The primary target groups of the project are: Decision-makers and judicial authorities, but also other authorities involved in the process of combating corruption and malign foreign influences, as well as protecting the rights of citizens. These bodies will primarily be the subject of applicants’ research, and the integrity, independence, and efficiency of their work will be presented to all interested parties through research, media coverage, the campaign, and an e-book.
The next important target group are local governments, i.e. urban planners and private investors / construction companies, whose work and compliance with the law will also be investigated through the project, in locations of greater public importance and interest for the safety and health of citizens and the environment.
Non-governmental organizations and media as part of the civil sector will be included and consulted during the research work, and at the same time empowered through the campaign and planned activities to be more effective and directly involved in the process of fighting corruption, and the protection of the safety and health of citizens and the environment.
Citizens of Montenegro and the region, in addition to representing the end users of the project, will be directly targeted by individual project activities, primarily through the planned campaign (min. 5% of the total population of Montenegro and 3% of the region).
All relevant international institutions and organizations will be informed about the findings of the project, through an e-book with an English translation, in order to draw the attention of the international community to the problems of the project, and the project will indirectly include interested individuals and organizations/institutions from the region, as well as other interested parties according to the selected research topics.
Main activities
All the planned activities of the project are divided into groups in such a way that they lead to the realization of one of the three planned results of the project:
Result 1: Strengthened capacities of journalists and associates of CIN-CG on ways of collecting information on the origin of assets and capital, i.e. how to investigate “off shore” accounts and companies and individuals connected to them, will be achieved through:
- Holding a three-day training for journalists and associates of CIN-CG on ways to collect information on the origin of assets and capital, that is, how to investigate “off shore” accounts and related companies and individuals.
Result 2: Investigated cases of national and regional initiatives and projects, which can significantly affect the devastation of the environment, the security of the region and the health of people, especially those that come from dubious foreign sources and contain possible elements of corruption.
- Conducting newspaper investigations into compliance with legal norms and possible corrupt elements during the sale, construction or financing of infrastructural, energy and other projects and initiatives of greater public interest in the territory of Montenegro and the region, with special reference to those coming from dubious foreign sources, which may significantly affect the devastation of the environment, regional security and people’s health.
- Creation and publication of newspaper articles based on conducted research in accordance with the ethical code of journalists and professional standards.
Result 3: Increased public awareness of the consequences of dubious projects with elements of foreign influence and corruption on the safety and health of citizens and the environment, along with the promotion of freedom of expression and the motivation of citizens to get involved in decision-making on the most important projects, with serious consequences for society.
- Conducting a continuous campaign to raise awareness among the general public about project topics through the media and social networks, and motivating citizens to get involved in decision-making on the most important projects for human health and environmental protection.
- Preparation and presentation of a comprehensive e-book publication with key research findings.
