On 18–19 June, the Project Managers' Network of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, comprising representatives from all local governments responsible for EU projects and European integration, met in Podgorica. Organized with the support of the "Municipalities for the EU" project, the meeting provided an opportunity for network members to learn about the support and opportunities available through both the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro and the project itself.
In the opening session, the participants were addressed by Milica Radojičić, in the opening session, the participants were addressed by the Assistant to the Secretary General for International Cooperation and European Integration, and Branka Mračević, Project Manager of the project, who emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation and strengthening the capacities of local governments to enable more successful participation in EU-funded projects.
On the first day of the meeting Goran Đurovićon the first day of the meeting, the project's Capacity Building Expert presented the Network with the training plan and the methodology for accessing expert support available through the project. Borka Ljepković and Danijela Anđić from the Ministry of European Affairs then presented the available IPA cross-border and interregional cooperation programmes and open calls, with a particular focus on those expected to be launched by the end of this year.
The project's external experts Mario Ringov and Darko Mrvaljević the project's external experts went on to present examples of good practices from local governments and discussed the key challenges municipalities face when applying for available EU funding programmes.
On the second day of the meeting Vanja Starovlah, on the second day of the meeting, an external expert from NALAS presented the key opportunities that EU funding programmes offer to local communities, highlighting the importance of networking and regional cooperation. Perica Puišić, head of the Department for Rural Development, Economy and EU Funds of the Municipality of Konavle, presented the approaches to and importance of using EU funds from the perspective of an EU Member State.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to present the LIFE Programme, which Montenegro has recently joined. Focused on environmental protection and climate action, the programme was introduced by Sanele Metjahić, the National Contact Point from the Ministry of Ecology, who highlighted that the first call for proposals is currently open and that a series of information days for the programme will be organized soon.
The second part of the meeting was also attended by a guest Orlando Fusco, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, who emphasized the crucial role that local governments play in the European integration process and highlighted the support the Delegation provides to strengthen their efforts.
