Through 12 international projects, the Municipality of Bar has utilized over two million euros from EU funds, placing this coastal municipality among the most successful local communities in Montenegro in terms of attracting European resources for local development improvement.
Particularly notable is the Old Town of Bar, which, thanks to the implementation of five separate projects, has become a hub for cultural heritage preservation, modern interpretation of history, and the enhancement of tourism offerings. The total value of completed and ongoing projects in the Old Town of Bar amounts to €1.2 million. Completed activities within the EU projects include the reconstruction of the Summer Stage, the Customs House, and Building 46, removal of debris and rubble from a 1500 m² area, installation of accent lighting and informational signs, creation of a city model and map of the Old Town (which has been digitized), development of an augmented reality app, and cleaning of the mills.
Ongoing activities include trail repairs, construction of a new ticket office, restoration of the Gavodolla bastion, and development of two applications: an augmented reality guide and a virtual story on olive oil production.
These activities, as emphasized by the Municipality of Bar, have contributed to the preservation of the unique cultural heritage of the Old Town of Bar, improved infrastructure, and strengthened the tourism offering through interpretation and promotion. “Through innovative solutions and modern technology, the Old Town of Bar has positioned itself as one of the most attractive destinations not only in our city but also more broadly, attracting an increasing number of visitors and promoting sustainable development,” representatives of the Municipality conclude.
Bar is also in the spotlight due to several transnational initiatives. The CITYMOVE project, led by Bar and involving eight cities from the region, aims to improve urban mobility, reduce dependence on cars, and promote eco-friendly modes of transport. The Municipality of Bar’s budget for this project exceeds €316,000, with plans to install a parking space detection system and a bicycle station in the city center.
In the cultural tourism segment, the GIFTSnet project, worth €2.2 million, focuses on the sustainable development of cultural sites. Through this project, the Municipality of Bar is using nearly €280,000 for conservation work on the Gavodolla Bastion and the establishment of a visitor rest area with “smart” furniture. The “Night of Fortresses” event, which has gained international recognition, is also implemented through this project.
Another significant project, C.L.O.S.E.R., is designed for economic revitalization through the valorization of cultural heritage. As part of it, new streets and structures were discovered in the Old Town, and the augmented reality app was upgraded into a virtual guide with 12 key locations.
Projects such as New Reality of the Heritage Sites, Building Smart Forests, and ECOVINEGOALS bring additional benefits – from renovating cultural sites and developing innovative tourism software, to establishing early forest fire detection systems and promoting agroecological practices in viticulture.
The most notable result of the project “Traditional Olive Growing as Part of the Cross-Border Tourism Offer” is the construction of a canopy at the market in the Old Town of Bar and the expansion of the exhibition area at the “Olive House.”
In the field of environmental protection, the BWS project stands out for improving waste management in the municipality, while through the MARIE project in the area of energy efficiency, Bar met legal obligations and prepared for a sustainable future.
Bar has also recognized the importance of social inclusion – through the DAY CARE CENTER project. In cooperation with Caritas of the Archdiocese of Bar, a Day Center for the elderly was equipped. In the Sokolana neighborhood, through the ROMACTED program, infrastructure improvements were made for the Roma community.
Through the RECIRCLE MED project and in partnership with the University of Thessaly in Greece, Bar will support sustainable, blue, and circular tourism on the Mediterranean coast with a budget of over €130,000.
The CROSS BORDER OL project aims to map olive trees and valorize them for tourism purposes. The project mapped 23 ancient olive trees in Džidžarin, which, along with cultural and historical points, are presented on the “Tourist Map of Bar and the Džidžarin Olive Groves.”
The FORTITUDE project transformed the Old Town of Bar into an interactive cultural center with the help of an augmented reality app that allows visitors to see what various locations looked like before being damaged.
Through all these projects, the Municipality of Bar has positioned itself as a leader in Montenegro in using EU funds for local development. The Old Town of Bar, as a symbol of cultural heritage, has become an example of innovation, education, and sustainable tourism, while the entire municipality and its citizens have gained concrete benefits – from improved infrastructure, greater safety, and new tourism offerings to enhanced social services.