In the heart of Biogradska Gora, a new European story for Kolašin begins. For the first time, this municipality is becoming part of the prestigious URBACT programme, which connects cities and towns across Europe to exchange knowledge, experiences, and good practices in sustainable development.
Kolašin, together with partners from Italy, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Moldova, Portugal, and Ukraine, has been selected to participate in the “CityLake” project, which will run for 30 months with a clear mission – the protection of lake ecosystems and responsible management of water resources.
The project draws inspiration from the Italian town of Borgomanero, which leads the recognized European good practice “Cusio Lake Contract” – an innovative model of cooperation between local authorities, the community, scientific institutions, and the tourism sector aimed at preserving lakes and water resources. The Borgomanero experience will be adapted to the local conditions of each partner country, now including Montenegro.
The CityLake project officially starts on 1 November 2025, and the first partners’ meeting will be held in early December in Borgomanero. The total project budget amounts to EUR 750,000.
Biogradsko Lake – Natural Heritage and a Development Opportunity
For Kolašin, this project carries special importance. Biogradsko Lake, one of the oldest glacial lakes in Europe, is not only a natural attraction but also a symbol of shared responsibility and a potential driver of sustainable development.
Through the CityLake project, the municipality will develop a cooperation model between institutions, the community, and the private sector, with the aim of preserving biodiversity, improving water management, and promoting responsible tourism.
“Biogradsko Lake is our pride, but also our responsibility. This project enables us to apply European experiences and lay the foundations for sustainable development for future generations,” said Branka Subotić, Senior Advisor for Project Implementation at the Municipality of Kolašin, who, on behalf of the Municipal Office for European Integration, led the preparation process of this successful project.
Kolašin – A Small Town with a European Vision
Through CityLake, Kolašin is not only protecting nature but also building a bridge toward European standards of sustainable development. The project marks a new phase of local policy – one where ecology, tourism, and community development go hand in hand.
“Kolašin aims to become a regional example of good practice in lake protection and to show that even small towns can be part of major European transformations. Biogradsko Lake reflects our attitude toward the future. And the future is what we build together – responsibly, thoughtfully, and sustainably,” said Subotić.
From “Municipalities for EU” to the European Network of Cities
Kolašin’s journey toward joining the URBACT European network was supported by the project “Municipalities for EU – Empowering Local Communities in the European Integration Process of Montenegro,” funded by the European Union. Through this project, the municipality received mentoring support to strengthen its capacity for preparing and submitting international project proposals, which directly contributed to the successful CityLake application. Thanks to expert guidance and technical assistance from Mario Ringov, Kolašin developed a high-quality and transparent budget fully compliant with URBACT programme requirements.
About the URBACT IV Programme
URBACT IV is a European programme of interregional cooperation that promotes integrated and sustainable urban development and helps cities and municipalities learn, plan, and improve local policies together.
The programme involves 27 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and the Western Balkan countries – Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. The programme is co-financed by the European Union.
Source:opstinezaeu.me