Local self-governments are key actors in the process of accession to the European Union, which is why it is important for them to develop their capacities to use European funds and strengthen institutional, financial and human resources in order to successfully implement European standards and policies. This was stated at the conference “URBACT and Municipalities: Together Across Borders,” held today in Nikšić and organized by the Ministry of European Affairs.
The conference brought together representatives of municipalities and other local stakeholders from across Montenegro, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and exchanging experiences, with a particular focus on the role and contribution of local self-governments in the URBACT interregional cooperation programme.
“URBACT is a unique European Union programme intended exclusively for the local level. For more than two decades, this programme has encouraged change in cities across Europe, paving the way for integrated and sustainable urban development, with a particular emphasis on digital transformation, the green transition and gender equality. It helps municipalities become drivers of change—through joint projects, networking and the exchange of good practices,” said Jasna Bulatović, Head of the Directorate for Interregional Programmes at the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro, opening the event.
As she emphasized, the involvement of citizens in decision-making represents the foundation of sustainable local policies, which is also one of the core principles of the URBACT programme.
“Local administrations therefore have a crucial role in informing, educating and encouraging the active participation of citizens in processes that contribute to quality of life. This strengthens the legitimacy of decisions, citizens’ trust in institutions, and good governance,” Bulatović added.
Currently, eight Montenegrin municipalities participate in ten networks of this cooperation programme, thereby securing around €670,000 in non-refundable European Union funds.
Milorad Zečević, Secretary of the Secretariat for Communal Affairs and Transport of the Municipality of Nikšić, said that thanks to the support of the European Union, employees of this municipality have the opportunity to learn from European cities that successfully integrate sustainability principles into everyday policies and to apply that knowledge in the local context of Nikšić.
“This is an important moment for us, as it confirms that Nikšić is actively joining European trends in sustainable urban development through joint learning, the exchange of experiences and concrete actions that contribute to a higher-quality and greener life in our city. On the other hand, we see that by creating special programmes and initiatives, the European Union recognizes the importance of supporting local self-governments. Nikšić recognized the opportunity and enthusiastically joined the URBACT programme,” said Zečević.
As part of the conference, a panel discussion was also held on the topic of European funds as support for local development, during which representatives of the Ministry of European Affairs, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro and the Municipality of Berane spoke about experiences, challenges and opportunities related to the use of European funds in strengthening sustainable local development.
The URBACT IV Programme 2021–2027 supports the exchange of knowledge and good practices among cities with the aim of improving urban policies and strengthening the effects of EU cohesion policy at the local level. The key objective of the Programme is to encourage integrated and sustainable urban development through cooperation and learning among partner cities. The programme area includes 27 European Union member states, Norway, Switzerland, IPA beneficiary countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia—as well as Moldova and Ukraine.
When it comes to Montenegrin local self-governments, the implementation of this programme involves the municipalities of Berane, Bijelo Polje and Budva within action planning networks, the local community of Stara Varoš in the Municipality of Nikšić within an innovation transfer network, while the municipalities of Herceg Novi, Nikšić and Tivat participate in the special learning programme URBACT Pioneers Accelerator. Additionally, at a recently held Monitoring Committee meeting, projects of the municipalities of Bijelo Polje, Kolašin and Plav were approved, which will begin their URBACT programme experience within good practice transfer networks.
