Strengthening organizational capacities in the Montenegrin railway sector
Montenegro's transport system holds strategic importance for the Adriatic Sea and neighbouring countries: Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo and the Republic of Macedonia. The railway system has a strong influence on the quality of life and overall economic development. A better developed transport infrastructure, especially the expansion of railway network with special focus on strengthening of organizational capacities, was essential to enable the international competition of the Montenegrin Economy.
In that regard, NTU successfully implemented the “Technical Assistance to the Transport Sector, Montenegro”, a EUR 1.2 million multi-sectoral infrastructure project. The overall objective of the project was to establish an efficient and effective system of governmental institution in charge of transport thereby contributing to the economic growth of Montenegro and facilitating trade flows with neighbouring countries.
Implementation
For this project, NTU provided technical assistance, among other services in the railway sector, and contributed to the establishment of an independent and fully operational Railway Directorate. NTU experts, first, carried out an assessment of institutional and organisational situation and capacities to address the gaps and weaknesses. Subsequently, the Railway Directorate’s mission, staffing and above all, its role (as an entity developing and managing economic and safety regulations as well as supervising and ensuring the overall development of the railway sector) were clearly defined.
NTU’s efforts also targeted capacity-building, the training of staff in relation to the performance of their tasks in line with EU practice as well as safety issues and the development of a ‘blame-free culture’ in accident investigation. The latter was especially important in investigating the causes of accidents in order to take all necessary measures to avoid the repetition of errors.
Impact
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Established Railway Directorate, with well-defined role, missions, and staffing, as well as proposals to organise efficiently the institution;
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Trained Railways Directorate staff, as well as members of different railway companies on EU institutions and railway safety organisation;
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Drafted legal acts for the railway sector;
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Support on financial consolidation of the railway system in Montenegro;
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Developed training materials on contracts, planning and regulatory issues.
SDGs
