As part of the preparatory activities for the implementation of the World Bank project, which will provide Montenegro with up to €35 million in support to improve the water sector and strengthen climate resilience, a technical study visit to Lisbon was organized in cooperation with the company Águas de Portugal.
As the only representative of the local government level from Montenegro, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro participated in the study visit under this programme Sanja Živković, The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro was represented by the Secretary of the Committee for Utility Services and Environmental Protection, who participated in the programme as the only representative of the local government level from Montenegro. She was joined by representatives of national institutions and the regulatory authority. Invitations to participate were extended to selected participants based on their previous engagement and involvement in the consultations conducted by the World Bank during its technical mission in January 2025.
The thematic focus of the visit was the application of circular economy principles in the water sector, with particular emphasis on the reuse of treated wastewater and the utilization of processed sewage sludge as valuable new resources aimed at reducing dependence on limited water supplies and improving soil fertility. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the reforms implemented by Portugal in this field, including the development of infrastructure and innovative resource management models ranging from water recycling to the production of energy and biofuels from wastewater. Treated municipal wastewater in Portugal is of such a high quality that the Portuguese Environment Agency authorizes its use for street cleaning, the irrigation of public green spaces, and the watering of golf courses.
During the meetings and workshops, the representative of the Union of Municipalities emphasized the important role of local governments in ensuring sustainable water services and expressed the Union’s readiness to actively participate in all subsequent phases of the project. She also stressed that the practical experience gained in Portugal, where access to water supply and sewerage services has reached almost 100%, will provide valuable guidance in developing solutions tailored to the Montenegrin context.
This activity is of particular importance as the World Bank has allocated funding for the improvement of Montenegro’s water infrastructure, which can be used to finance infrastructure projects in the areas of water supply and municipal wastewater management, complemented by legislative support measures and capacity building for the institutions responsible for managing these systems.
