Report on mapping youth participation in digital democracy in Montenegro is a part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth Project, titled “Youth Participation in Digital Democracy: From Digital Skills to Digital Rights of Youth with Fewer Opportunities in the Western Balkans” (EYDR). It aims to empower young people in the Western Balkans—especially those with fewer opportunities—by enhancing their digital skills and understanding of digital rights.
This report highlights the state of youth participation in digital democracy in Montenegro, with a focus on the extent of young people’s digital skills, literacy, and engagement. The findings reflect both the opportunities and challenges facing Montenegrin youth in the digital sphere, particularly in their ability to use digital platforms for civic and political participation. The research shows a substantial gap between the potential of digital tools and the current level of youth engagement, with many young people remaining passive consumers rather than active participants in democracy.
Despite growing access to digital platforms, the level of youth engagement in civic and political activities in Montenegro remains low. Many young people are not involved in formal political processes and their participation in political discourse through digital platforms is minimal.
A significant proportion of young people in Montenegro report feelings of disengagement from the political system, largely due to a lack of trust in institutions. This is compounded by the perceived absence of feedback and transparency from government bodies, which leaves many feeling that their participation will not lead to meaningful change.
Although most youth are active on social media, their interaction with political content is largely passive. For example, they may follow political news or sign online petitions, but few engage in more substantive actions, such as organizing campaigns, creating political content, or directly communicating with policymakers.
The report finds a significant disparity in the level of digital skills among Montenegrin youth, with many lacking the critical skills needed to fully participate in digital democracy. While young people are proficient in basic digital tasks, such as using social networks or messaging platforms, many lack deeper skills related to critical thinking, cybersecurity, and the ability to assess the veracity of information online.
Access to digital platforms is not uniform across Montenegro. Youth in rural areas face more significant barriers to digital engagement due to limited access to technology and slower internet connectivity. This digital divide hampers the ability of rural youth to participate equally in the digital sphere.
One key finding is that youth in Montenegro are not well-versed in cybersecurity principles, leaving them vulnerable when engaging in digital platforms. Many lack awareness of privacy issues, which further deters their active participation in civic and political discourse online.
Several factors contribute to the low level of youth engagement in Montenegro’s digital democracy: a) Many young people express a lack of motivation to engage in political activities online, often citing a belief that their participation will not make a difference. Moreover, there is limited awareness of how to effectively engage in digital activism or participate in e-governance; b) There is a growing trend of “slacktivism”, where young people show support for social causes through low-effort actions such as liking posts or sharing content on social media. While this raises awareness, it does not translate into meaningful engagement or participation in democratic processes and c) A significant number of youth cited lack of time or fear of negative consequences (such as privacy breaches or online harassment) as reasons for not participating in digital activism. These concerns deter deeper involvement in online political discourse.
Despite these barriers, the report highlights several success stories where young people in Montenegro have used digital platforms to promote social and political causes. These case studies demonstrate the power of digital tools when combined with the right support and resources.
The findings from this report underscore the untapped potential of digital platforms to enhance youth participation in Montenegro. Digital literacy—both in terms of technical skills and understanding digital rights—remains a key factor in determining the level and quality of youth engagement. The digital space offers young people a unique platform to express their views and connect with like-minded individuals. However, this potential is often underutilized due to barriers like limited digital skills, fear of privacy breaches, and a lack of motivation to engage deeply in political discourse. A critical takeaway from the report is the need for greater awareness of digital rights. Many youth in Montenegro are unaware of their rights online, including privacy, freedom of expression, and protection from harassment. This lack of awareness can prevent them from fully engaging in digital democracy.
In conclusion, the report reveals a stark gap between the potential of digital democracy and the current reality of youth engagement in Montenegro. While there is widespread use of digital tools, especially social media, the level of meaningful participation remains low. Bridging this gap will require efforts to enhance digital literacy, improve trust in institutions, and create safe, inclusive digital environments where young people feel empowered to participate in shaping their society.
This research offers a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of youth participation in digital democracy in Montenegro and highlights the areas where growth is not only possible but essential for fostering a more inclusive and representative democratic future.
The report will be translated into Montenegrin and published by the end of October.
Disclaimer: This document is produced in the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth Project: “Youth Participation in Digital Democracy: From Digital Skills to Digital Rights of Youth with Fewer Opportunities in the Western Balkans” (EYDR) with Project Ref No: 101131235
