Volunteering as a Community Strength and Youth Development Opportunity: From Community Activism to Educational Recognition

The ceremonial hall of the University of Montenegro's Rectorate hosted a working panel titled "Volunteering – from community activism to educational recognition," organized by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue. The event featured speeches by Biljana Vučetić, Director General of the Directorate for Social Economy, Volunteering, and Civil Sector Cooperation, and Zorana Marković, Director of the Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO). The first session, moderated by Mersiha Hasanbegović, included contributions from Marija Dragaš (Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue), Marina Došen (Montenegro Volunteers Foundation), Katarina Radović (NGO Network for European Policies – MASTER), and Veselin Pajović (Red Cross of Montenegro). The second session, moderated by Director Snežana Ivanović, involved discussions with Dragana Maraš (Miro School of Economics and Hospitality), Filip Petrović (University of Montenegro / Student Parliament), Milena Šćepanović (ADP-Zid), and Dušan Brajović (Union of High School Students of Montenegro). Participants discussed modalities and mechanisms for formally documenting and valuing the knowledge, skills, and social engagement gained through volunteering when enrolling in higher education institutions, thereby adding value to the educational system. The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue will continue holding consultative meetings, with the next panel involving organizations with volunteers planned by the end of 2026.