The trust citizens place in institutions is best reflected in their willingness to report suspicions of corruption. It is therefore encouraging that, in the first six months of 2026, the Agency for Prevention of Corruption recorded the highest number of whistleblower reports for the same period compared with any previous year of the Agency’s work. During this period, 134 reports were submitted to the Agency, confirming growing public trust in institutional mechanisms for reporting corruption, as well as citizens’ willingness to actively contribute to protecting the public interest.

Although, since June 2024, the courts have formally assumed responsibility for whistleblower protection, the Agency has continued to support individuals reporting suspected irregularities through the available legal mechanisms and various forms of professional assistance. As part of these efforts, the Agency signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, establishing the basis for providing psychological support to whistleblowers and recognizing the challenges and pressures frequently faced by individuals who choose to speak out in the public interest.

Over the past year, the Agency has worked intensively to raise awareness of the importance of reporting irregularities and to strengthen the capacity of institutions to act upon reports. With the support of international partners, round tables, workshops and training sessions on judicial protection of whistleblowers were organized, as well as training for authorized officers responsible for receiving and processing internal reports within public-sector institutions.

A particular contribution to strengthening the culture of reporting irregularities is being made through the national “Montenegro Free from Corruption” campaign. As part of the campaign, “Healthcare Free from Corruption” was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Clinical Centre of Montenegro; “Podgorica Free from Corruption” in cooperation with the Capital City; and “Border Free from Corruption” in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, the Police Directorate and the Customs Administration. Through these activities, the Agency and its partner institutions seek to make available reporting mechanisms more accessible to citizens, encourage them to report irregularities, and send a clear message that protecting the public interest is a shared responsibility of all actors in society.

In cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Agency has developed an online training programme designed to provide participants with practical and applicable knowledge about corruption, its various forms, and its impact on the functioning of public institutions and society as a whole. As part of this modern educational platform, a dedicated module focuses on reporting irregularities and whistleblower protection in Montenegro, with particular emphasis on whistleblowers’ rights, available protection mechanisms, and the importance of their contribution to detecting corruption and safeguarding the public interest.

International Whistleblowers’ Day is being marked ahead of the adoption of the new Law on Whistleblower Protection, which is expected to further strengthen the system for protecting individuals who report irregularities. The new legislative framework should enhance whistleblowers’ legal certainty, improve protection mechanisms, and encourage citizens to report, without fear, conduct that threatens the public interest.

The importance of Montenegro’s efforts in this area is further underscored by the fact that our country will host the 12th General Assembly of the the Network of European Integrity and Whistleblowing Authorities (NEIWA) next year. NEIWA is the leading European network for cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of integrity and whistleblower protection, with a particular focus on the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1937. Montenegro’s selection as host of the 12th General Assembly represents recognition of the efforts made by its institutions to strengthen integrity, improve the whistleblower protection system, and align it with European standards in this area.

The Agency for Prevention of Corruption remains committed to creating an environment in which every citizen who reports corruption can rely on institutional support, while the public interest is protected effectively and responsibly.