The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro has announced the Best Practices in Local Self-Government for 2025, recognizing projects that have demonstrated how innovation, commitment, and cooperation can significantly improve citizens’ quality of life and the quality of public services. Among the award recipients, the Municipality of Budva stood out by receiving the award for Best Practice in the Area of Cooperation Among Decision-Makers in the Water Services Sector.
Budva received this prestigious award for a project that emerged from close cooperation between the local government and the company Otpadne vode d.o.o., with the aim of preventing environmental incidents caused by heavy rainfall. The challenge faced by Budva was a specific one: during periods of intense rain, large volumes of stormwater entered the wastewater treatment plant, threatening to disrupt the biological treatment process and compromise the quality of the water discharged into the sea.
The solution was found through the installation of a special bypass system, which allows a portion of the water—meeting strict environmental standards—to be safely discharged directly into the Adriatic Sea. This relieves pressure on the system during critical periods, ensures the stable operation of the treatment plant, and helps preserve the cleanliness of the sea. This investment delivers multiple benefits: it contributes to the protection of the marine ecosystem, safeguards the health of residents and visitors, and protects Budva’s reputation as one of the leading tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.
The Budva example demonstrates that technical solutions, when supported by vision and responsible management, can have a long-term impact on the community. This is not merely a matter of municipal infrastructure—it is a strategic decision to treat environmental protection and tourism development as inseparable priorities.
The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro emphasizes that, through this project, Budva has demonstrated how close cooperation between local authorities and public utility companies can deliver tangible, measurable, and lasting benefits for the community.
In addition to Budva, awards for best practices were also presented to other municipalities whose work has made a significant contribution to the advancement of local self-government:
Municipality of Pljevlja – for a set of measures implemented in cooperation with the public utility company Vodovod d.o.o., which resulted in the consolidation of the company’s operations, a reduction in water losses, improved technical equipment, and, for the first time in many years, an uninterrupted water supply for citizens without restrictions, while the company simultaneously achieved positive financial results.
Municipality of Tivat – for the reorganization of local community councils at the initiative of citizens, enabling more efficient problem-solving and greater citizen participation in decision-making processes.
Municipality of Šavnik – for the development of a mobile application that provides citizens with timely information on all matters of public importance, particularly during emergency situations, while also enabling them to actively participate in shaping local policies.
This year’s selection of best practices has once again demonstrated that successful and sustainable change emerges where there is a willingness to cooperate, openness to innovation, and a clear commitment to the well-being of the community. The examples of Budva, Pljevlja, Tivat, and Šavnik will be promoted throughout Montenegro in order to inspire other local governments to adopt similar approaches and solutions.
