Inspired by the beauty of Durmitor and determined to provide citizens with a better quality of life, the leadership of the Municipality of Žabljak decided two years ago to enhance its capacities to better utilize EU funds.
“This commitment has resulted in the submission of seventeen applications across eight EU programs. One has been successfully implemented, two are at the initial stages of execution (worth €425,354.97), while eleven are under review and awaiting final decisions (total value of submitted projects: €2,666,700),” said Jasminka Jagličić, EU funds and international cooperation consultant to the mayor.
She considers living under Durmitor a privilege and is currently working with a four-member team on implementing two innovative projects.
“Nikola Tesla once said that no subject is more worthy of study than nature. This mindset motivated us to engage in two innovative EU projects: For.REST and BIOMIMICRY,” stated Jagličić.
She explained that the For.REST project aims to position Žabljak as a hub for forest tourism. In contrast, the BIOMIMICRY project seeks to establish the municipality as a center for applying biomimicry in architecture, inspired by Durmitor’s biodiversity.
The BIOMIMICRY Project (Inspired Habitat Design Solutions for Biodiversity Protection and Restoration) promotes biomimicry as a scientific discipline that offers innovative models for biodiversity protection and restoration by carefully studying nature and its harmonious processes. By applying principles inspired by natural phenomena, the project addresses challenges faced by individuals, communities, and society, encouraging harmony with nature and sustainable development.
“This €1.5 million project, with a 36-month implementation timeline, will first analyze Durmitor’s biodiversity, natural habitats, and their architectural applications,” Jagličić said.
In the final stages, selected models will be used to develop technical and technological solutions for existing public structures in Žabljak. Additionally, the project will compile a biodiversity database (habitats) for application in architecture, covering regions including Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and Montenegro.
The project will also include training modules for architects, focusing on sustainable and responsible construction practices, renewable energy use, waste reduction, and minimizing harmful emissions. “Our goal is to promote better integration of structures with their surroundings,” she added.
The municipality of Žabljak emphasizes that biomimicry is a multidisciplinary science that requires collaboration among scientists from various fields. This project will enhance cooperation within the academic community. Additionally, a strategy for protecting the biodiversity of the Adriatic-Ionian region will be developed through the application of biomimicry. The leading partner for the project is the Research and Educational Center Mansion Rakičan in Slovenia, and it is financed by INTERREG VI B IPA ADRION.
When it comes to the For.REST (Forest Tourism in the Cross-Border Area of Serbia and Montenegro), it aims to create an innovative tourist product – Forest tourism!
This project aims to develop an innovative tourism product—Forest Tourism! Initially, the project will assess the cross-border Serbia-Montenegro area for forest tourism development, followed by creating a unique forest tourism itinerary connecting local tourism operators.
The project will include training sessions for certified guides and the development of a guidebook for forest therapy. This guidebook will provide additional training for ten certified guides from both sides of the border. The initiative also involves marking, equipping, and certifying 20 km of forest trails, known as “forest baths.”
“These trails will feature light infrastructure, bird-watching towers, and feeding stations, creating spaces for harmonizing with nature and unique forest therapy experiences,” Jagličić explained. Besides the therapeutic dimension, tourists can observe birds in their natural habitats and enjoy authentic connections with the forest.
Partners include the Center for Protection and Study of Birds (Podgorica), the Special Nature Reserve UVAC, and the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia. The project is valued at €249,354.08 and co-financed by the EU under the IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation Program Serbia–Montenegro 2014-2020.
Finally, Jagličić issued an open invitation from Žabljak to all nature lovers:
“If Durmitor inspires you and you wish to turn creation into innovation, you are welcome in Žabljak. By studying nature, you will come to know yourself,” she concluded.
Author: Mirjana Ivanović, EU4ME project consultant