4. Civil Society Mobilisation in Montenegro

This chapter traces the evolving mobilisation strategies employed by Montenegrin civil society organisations engaged in rule of law issues. It points to an exceptionally high level of formal civil society involvement throughout the accession process. During the initial phase of negotiations, civil society actors were able to use their unusually extensive access to shape their country’s reform commitments through a hybrid mobilisation strategy, which combined input via official channels and extra-institutional mobilisation. Yet despite the successful framing of civil society participation within the broader package of rule of law reforms, results were more mitigated when it comes to the substantive empowerment of CSOs at the domestic level and the sustainability of their involvement. The chapter describes how concerns over funding have threatened the sustainability of the most prominent mobilisation formats, while a recent deterioration in the political climate means civil society organisations are struggling to see their demands translated into policy outcomes.