Regional workshop is part of the Western Balkans legislative strengthening initiative (WBLSI) by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), which helps parliaments in the region to strengthen their legislative, control and representative function. With financing by the National Endowment for Democracy, “Initiative” places focus on development of cooperation between the parliaments of Western Balkans countries and their EU partners through creation of open forums for regional cooperation and exchange of information. In its first stage, “Initiative” is focused on strengthening capacities of parliamentary budgets, staff and research: in this current stage the focus is still on strengthening thereof in the context of strengthening the oversight function of the parliament.

The workshop was attended by the representatives and secretaries of committees from the parliaments of Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, with a view to exchange regional experience in implementation of oversight mechanisms by the committees -  focusing on oversight of implementation of policies, laws and budgets by the committees, review of periodical reports by the ministries and other independent institutions, public hearings and research roles and other professional departments, employees in committees and organisations of civil society. 

Member of the Parliament Ms Marta Šćepanović introduced the participants of the workshop with the adopted Action Plan for strengthening the legislative and oversight function of the Parliament of Montenegro in 2013, as well as control mechanisms that are being used in the Parliament of Montenegro.