As the second launch in the region, the Montenegro Friends in Focus pilot was made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Italy to UNODC. Another ingredient making the pilot possible is the strong local partnerships. The Ministry of Education warmly welcomed the programme and is endorsing the active participation of youth and schools in the cascade training sessions. And the key contributor to this pilot launch was CAZAS, a local non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the healthy development of young people and advocating for youth education and drug use prevention. As the key implementing partner, CAZAS played a central role in organizing the Training of Trainers and recruiting youth trainers who will lead the dissemination of the programme in high schools of their communities.

Master trainers continue to be the core resource persons for each implementation round, providing essential knowledge and skills that enable youth trainers to confidently lead their own peer sessions on drug prevention. During 20 – 22 October, young people from Podgorica, Nikšić, and Bijelo Polje came together in Podgorica for a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT). Throughout the training, participants explored key topics around risk and protective factors related to drug use, challenged common misconceptions about substances, and reflected on the impact of social and group dynamics.

The successful launch of Friends in Focus in Montenegro marks a step forward in strengthening youth-led drug prevention efforts across South-Eastern Europe. With a newly certified regional Master Trainer and a cohort of empowered youth trainers, the programme is now better equipped to strengthen its content, expand its reach, deepen its local impact, and foster stronger regional collaboration. UNODC remains committed to supporting young people by creating spaces for learning, leadership, and resilience, ensuring that youth voices continue to shape the future of prevention in their communities and beyond.

Source: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/prevention/youth-initiative/youth-action/2025/October/regional-momentum-builds-as-friends-in-focus-reaches-montenegro.html