Flagship project
Bringing Montenegro's EU Integration Closer to Every Municipality
Connected all 25 Montenegrin municipalities to the EU integration process by establishing five thematic networks with relevant line ministries and equipping 25 municipal EU Info Points to increase local communities’ awareness and knowledge of EU opportunities.
The challenge
Montenegro's municipalities implement a large share of EU-related standards and deliver services closest to citizens, yet many face limited staffing, uneven technical knowledge and insufficient access to practical information on EU policies and funding. Coordination between national and local levels also needed stronger, permanent channels. This reduced municipalities' ability to translate the accession process into visible local reforms, quality projects and understandable benefits for citizens.
Our goal
Decentralise Montenegro's EU integration process by equipping all 25 municipalities with the institutional, financial, human and communication capacities needed to implement EU policies, meet accession requirements, access EU funding and engage local communities in the country's European future.
Our approach
Municipalities4EU combines institution-building with hands-on support. It develops municipal EU structures and EU Info Points; convenes the Network of Municipal Project Managers and thematic networks; and delivers training, mentoring, peer learning and practical guidance for EU project development. The project links municipalities with the Ministry of Public Administration, the Union of Municipalities and other line ministries, while coordinated campaigns, local events, publications and digital channels make EU policies, funds and opportunities easier for citizens, businesses, civil society and young people to understand and use.
Impact in numbers
Together, these results have moved EU integration from a predominantly national process towards a visible, practical and increasingly permanent local system.
Key highlights
- 25 EU Info Points established as local access points for EU information
- Cooperation mechanisms connecting all 25 municipalities with five ministries and the Union of Municipalities
- An active Network of Municipal Project Managers and thematic networks covering environment, transport, agriculture, digitalisation and social protection
- Training, in-house coaching and mentoring for EU project preparation, including support that helped the municipality of Kolašin join the URBACT CityLake partnership
- A peer-learning study visit to Slovenian municipalities for leaders of five Montenegrin municipalities
- Six practical publications on EU projects, programmes, regulation drafting and Funding & Tenders Portal registration, with 2,900 printed copies
- Europe Day activities in 2025 and 2026 supported in all 25 municipalities, bringing EU values into local cultural, educational, environmental, sport and family events
Voices from the field
This project enables us to apply European experiences and lay the foundations for sustainable development for future generations.
EU is a community of values - solidarity, mutual respect, equal opportunities, cooperation and responsibility.
We believe this publication will contribute to better awareness, stronger capacities and greater use of opportunities offered by European funding programmes.
Success story
From a small municipality to a European city network
For Branka Subotić, Senior Advisor for Project Implementation in Kolašin, joining a major European network was an important step for a small municipality with limited specialist resources. Through Municipalities4EU, Kolašin received tailored mentoring to strengthen its CityLake application and prepare a transparent budget compliant with URBACT requirements.
The work paid off: Kolašin joined URBACT for the first time, becoming a partner in a 30-month European cooperation project with municipalities from Italy, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Moldova, Portugal and Ukraine. CityLake adapts the recognised Cusio Lake Contract model to protect lake ecosystems and improve water governance. In Kolašin, the focus is Biogradsko Lake, a natural landmark and a source of community pride, tourism and development potential.
The success shows how targeted technical support can convert a local idea into a credible European partnership. It also gives Kolašin a platform to learn from peers and build cooperation among public institutions, communities, research actors and tourism stakeholders for the long-term protection of Biogradsko Lake.
Branka Subotić · Municipality of Kolašin, Montenegro
Impressions
