Co-management model in secondary schools in Montenegro

Co-management model in secondary schools in Montenegro is a project that opened space for young people to be active participants in decision-making in schools, not just students to whom those decisions apply.

The project was aimed at improving democratic culture in schools through a co-management model, that is co-management approach. This model implies that students, teachers, and school administration jointly discuss, plan, and make decisions on issues affecting school life.

Through the project, young people had the opportunity to better understand how decision-making processes function in school, how they can advocate for their needs, and how through dialogue with teachers and administration they can contribute to creating a more open, participatory, and fair educational environment.

The project was implemented within a broader regional initiative, supported by the European Union, and is based on the Council of Europe model that promotes co-management, dialogue, and active youth involvement in decision-making processes. In Montenegro, pilot activities included Secondary Economic School “Mirko Vešović” from Podgorica and Secondary Mixed School “Danilo Kiš” from Budva.

The special significance of the project lies in the fact that it gave students a concrete opportunity to move from the position of users of the educational system to the role of its active creators. Through meetings, consultations, and preparatory activities, students, teachers, and school representatives worked on establishing a model that encourages cooperation, responsibility, and mutual trust.