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Montenegro

National Identification Document (NID) (ME0057)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: Montenegro Action Plan 2018-2020

Action Plan Cycle: 2018

Status: Active

Institutions

Lead Institution: the Ministry for Public Administration (MPA) the Ministry for Interior (MoI) the Ministry of Finance (MoF) the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information

Support Institution(s): NA

Policy Areas

Access to Justice, E-Government, Justice

IRM Review

IRM Report: Montenegro Design Report 2018-2020

Starred: Pending IRM Review

Early Results: Pending IRM Review

Design i

Verifiable: Yes

Relevant to OGP Values: Pending IRM Review

Potential Impact:

Implementation i

Completion: Pending IRM Review

Description

National Identification Document (NID)
Commencement and completion dates: January 2019 - August 2020
Responsible institution
the Ministry for Public Administration (MPA) the Ministry for Interior (MoI) the Ministry of Finance (MoF) the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information
The issue at stake The NID introduction should provide Montenegrin citizens with easier access to public e-services for citizens and businesses, and all other e-services provided in Montenegro, respecting information safety and personal data protection principles, which will, in turn, increase trust in the work of the public administration. General aim is to gradually provide a user-friendly, efficient and safe system for physical and digital identity verification, which will in turn boost the development of e-government and the digital society.
Commitment The main assumption for the NID introduction is the adoption of the National Identity Scheme, and putting in place the legal framework to govern citizen identification number, that may be used in future as an identifier and which must assure personal data protection while ensuring transparency in sharing information of public relevance.
How will it help address the issue
Main advantages of having the National Identity Scheme in place: · provision and legal regulation of digital identity for easier exercise of rights and corresponding duties; · access to public services and protection of individual rights (access to basic social services, such as education, healthcare and social benefits, etc.) using digital identity; · ensure proper use of sensitive information and control of individuals over their personal data and the way they are used.
Its relevance to OGP values
This commitment will work towards boosting the transparency of public administration, facilitating access to e-services, and connecting the services provide by various state and local level authorities. Sector-level bodies are highly responsible for the operation and security of such a system, and preventing any threats to government and private functions relying on the identification scheme. The NID responds to the citizen needs raised through various participatory tools in shaping Government policies, striving for cost-effective and efficient citizen-oriented service delivery. This commitment corresponds to open standards for better access to public services and data held by administration authorities. Moreover, having NID in place will boost interoperability among public registers by creating accessible and safe web-based service delivery platforms.
Additional information
Compatibility with SDGs Reference to SDG 16: ‘Pease, Justice and Strong Institutions 16.9 – By 2030 provide legal identity for all including birth registration. 16.10 – Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The introduction of e-ID is a growing trend in EU Member States, with many of them already introducing or deciding to introduce multifunctional ID cards. These efforts facilitate the legal and political development of the EU aimed at improving the e-services provided at the EU level.
BUDGET
€500,000 (MPA)
Actions with verifiable results and implementation dates
Purchase of the system for introducing the NID (MOI and MPA) – €200,000 - the Working Team for NID process coordination established - Tenders launched for procuring new personal documents aligned with the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on strengthening the security of identity cards November 2018 December 2019
National Identity Scheme’s conceptual architecture and design relying on unique NID (MPA) – €100,000 - National Identity Scheme’s conceptual architecture and design relying on unique NID developed
Holding expert panels for counselling authorities and citizens on benefits from data integration and sharing, and on the ways how authorities use collected data and protect personal data (MPA in collaboration with the MoI and the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information) - Three panels held - At least 30 participants per each panel - Reports on panels held posted on the MPA sub-portal - Press clipping
February 2019 August 2020
Development and issuance of multifunctional e-ID to citizens (MPA) – €200,000 - The tendering process for purchasing new IDs in line with the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on strengthening the security of identity cards completed
December 2019 August 2020
Point of contact
Responsible person in the implementing entity Bojana Bajić, MPA
Title/Department The Directorate for e-Government and Information Safety
e-mail / phone bojana.bajic@MPA.gov.me

IRM Midterm Status Summary

1. National Identification Document (NID)

Language of the commitment as it appears in the action plan:

“The main assumption for the NID introduction is the adoption of the National Identity Scheme, and putting in place the legal framework to govern citizen identification number, that may be used in future as an identifier and which must assure personal data protection while ensuring transparency in sharing information of public relevance.”

Milestones:

1.1. Purchase of the system for introducing the NID

1.2. National Identity Scheme s conceptual architecture and design relying on unique NID

1.3. Holding expert panels for counseling authorities and citizens on benefits from data integration and sharing, and on the ways how authorities use collected data and protect personal data

1.4. Development and issuance of multifunctional e-ID to citizens

Start Date: November 2018                                                                 

End Date: August 2020

Context and Objectives

This commitment aims to introduce a National Identification Document (NID) and adopt a corresponding National Identity Scheme. The purpose of the new NID is to increase efficiency and safety in using e-services by providing citizens with unique identification codes for online identification. In addition to the introduction of the NID, the commitment also calls for the government to hold three expert panels to discuss best practices on using citizens’ data while protecting personal data. The commitment’s activities are verifiable and measurable, such as the expert panels under Milestone 1.3.

This commitment is not directly relevant to OGP values, despite the commitment costing almost two-thirds of Montenegro’s overall OGP budget. Although Ministry of Public Administration (MPA) representatives noted the importance of decreasing falsification and misuse of identities in public services, [1] the implementation of new NIDs would not directly lead to the government disclosing more information to the public. Moreover, the commitment does not increase opportunities for the public to inform or influence decisions and policies, and it does not directly address the accountability of public officials.

According to a representative from the State Secretary of the MPA, the introduction of the NID could significantly improve public service delivery in Montenegro by facilitating access to e-services and connecting the services provided by various state and local authorities. [2] Furthermore, most public services in Montenegro are currently facilitated offline because of poor connectivity and inaccuracy of state and local databases. Therefore, the commitment is an important but preliminary step. However, while a new NID might modernize public administration services, it will not change any rights or obligations of citizens, nor will it automatically introduce any further services.

Next steps

The IRM does not recommend carrying it forward to the next action plan unless additional elements of transparency, participation, or public accountability are added. However, this commitment could be continued as part of Montenegro’s Public Administration Reform Strategy.

[1] Representatives of Ministry of Public Administration, interview by IRM researcher, 13 Jun. 2019.

[2] State Secretary of Ministry of Public Administration (OGP Contact Point and Deputy Chair), interview by IRM researcher, 10 Sept. 2019.

Commitments

  1. National Identification Document (NID)

    ME0057, 2018, Access to Justice

  2. e-Democracy

    ME0058, 2018, E-Government

  3. Proactive Publication of Information

    ME0059, 2018, Access to Information

  4. Efficient Collection of Administrative Fees

    ME0060, 2018, Access to Justice

  5. Electronic Tax Returns

    ME0061, 2018, E-Government

  6. Improved Anticorruption Policies

    ME0062, 2018, Access to Information

  7. Non-Governmental Participation in the Privatisation Council

    ME0001, 2012, Public Participation

  8. Establishment of Electronic Enterprise Registration

    ME0002, 2012, E-Government

  9. Merging of Inspectorates and Extracting Them from Ministries and Administration Authorities

    ME0003, 2012, Private Sector

  10. Implementation of New Building Permit Legislation

    ME0004, 2012, Private Sector

  11. Establishment of Special Body to Support Investment and Development Projects

    ME0005, 2012, Private Sector

  12. Create e-Register of Licenses

    ME0006, 2012, E-Government

  13. Adopt Regulations for Registry Maintenance

    ME0007, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  14. Development of an Action Plan with Measures to Improve Regulatory Framework in Montenegro

    ME0008, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  15. Quarterly Evaluation of Implementation of That Action Plan

    ME0009, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  16. Train Civil Servants in RIA

    ME0010, 2012, Capacity Building

  17. Apply RIA in Preparation of the Work Programme of the Government

    ME0011, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  18. ‘Full RIA’ Is Implemented for All Laws

    ME0012, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  19. Employment of Foreigners Reform

    ME0013, 2012, Citizenship & Immigration

  20. Concessions and Public-Private Partnership: Regulatory Framework

    ME0014, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  21. Concessions and Public-Private Partnership: Regulation on Procedure

    ME0015, 2012, Legislation & Regulation

  22. Affirm and Advance Existing Functions of the E-Government Portal

    ME0016, 2012, E-Government

  23. e-Government Portal: More Complex Electronic Services Available at the Portal and Acceptance of Electronic Documentation

    ME0017, 2012, E-Government

  24. e-Government Portal: Enable Citizens to Have an Active e-Participation in Creation of Laws and Other Strategic Documents

    ME0018, 2012, E-Government

  25. Established Online Platform for e-Petitions

    ME0019, 2012, E-Government

  26. e-Petitions: Online Platform Is Made Fully Efficient

    ME0020, 2012, E-Government

  27. Southeast Europe Regional Forum

    ME0021, 2012, Capacity Building

  28. Public Consultations

    ME0022, 2012, Public Participation

  29. Direct Contact with Non-Governmental Organisations

    ME0023, 2012, Civic Space

  30. Systems to Improve Direct Contact with Citizens

    ME0024, 2012, Public Participation

  31. Free Access to Information

    ME0025, 2012, Access to Information

  32. Plain Administrative Language

    ME0026, 2012, Capacity Building

  33. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Raising Public Awareness

    ME0027, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  34. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Training for Public Officers and Public Campaigns

    ME0028, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  35. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Political Independency of the Commission for Prevention of the Conflict of Interest

    ME0029, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  36. Strengthening Integrity

    ME0030, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  37. Application of Code of Ethics: Establish an Ethical Board, as an Independent Body

    ME0031, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  38. Application of Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics Training for Civil Servants

    ME0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  39. Application of Code of Ethics: Ensure Application of the Code of Ethics Through Operation of Disciplinary Bodies and Periodic Check

    ME0033, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  40. Application of Code of Ethics: Strengthen Tax Administration and Customsadministration Internal Control Mechanisms

    ME0034, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  41. Transparency of Criteria for Employment, Bonuses, and Promotion in the Public Sector

    ME0035, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  42. Reporting on Unpermitted Building Construction

    ME0036, 2012, Infrastructure & Transport

  43. Protection of Persons Reporting Corruption

    ME0037, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  44. Procurement Corruption: Help Desk

    ME0038, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  45. Procurement Corruption: Regulation and Awareness-Raising

    ME0039, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  46. Establishing Central Public Procurement Bodies

    ME0040, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  47. Electronic Public Procurement System

    ME0041, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  48. Budget Transparency: Amend the Organic Law on Budget with Precise Deadlines and Specific Fiscal Rules

    ME0042, 2012, Fiscal Openness

  49. Budget Transparency: Presentation of the Annual Budget and Its Revisions in a Visually Comprehensible and Simple Manner

    ME0043, 2012, Fiscal Openness

  50. Budget Transparency: Identify and Develop Performance Indicators

    ME0044, 2012, Fiscal Openness

  51. Budget Transparency: Amend the Chart of Accounts to Improve the Expenditure Control

    ME0045, 2012, Fiscal Openness

  52. Budget Transparency: Improve Cooperation Between the Internal Audit System and State Audit Institution

    ME0046, 2012, Fiscal Openness

  53. Combatting All Forms of Discrimination: Carry Out Activities Defined in the Signed Memorandum of Cooperation with the NGOs

    ME0047, 2012, Civic Space

  54. Combatting All Forms of Discrimination: Trainings for Police Officers for Professional Conduct with LGBT Persons

    ME0048, 2012, Capacity Building

  55. Combatting All Forms of Discrimination: Trainings for Police Officers Related to Disabled Persons

    ME0049, 2012, Capacity Building

  56. Combatting All Forms of Discrimination: Free-Up Public Traffic Areas Used by Disabled. Define Procedures for Control of Passengers & Vehicles

    ME0050, 2012, Human Rights

  57. Combatting All Forms of Discrimination: Adjust the Security Centre in Accordance with Disabled Persons’ Needs and Appoint a Contact Person

    ME0051, 2012, Human Rights

  58. Improving Media Freedoms

    ME0052, 2012, Civic Space

  59. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

    ME0053, 2012, Private Sector

  60. Support to CSR in Montenegro

    ME0054, 2012, Private Sector

  61. Organisation of Workshops on Corporate Social Responsibility

    ME0055, 2012, Capacity Building

  62. Development of Manual

    ME0056, 2012, Capacity Building

Open Government Partnership