In addition to organizing training programs and providing mentoring support to municipal employees, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UoM) has introduced a new format of assistance to municipalities for carrying out various highly specialized tasks. This support takes the form of expert assistance in the preparation of specific project concepts, project terms of reference, and tender documentation in demanding fields such as environmental protection, transport, tourism, digitalization, and similar areas. In this way, it helps bridge the shortage of specialized staff in municipalities and creates the conditions for their faster and more effective development.
As part of efforts to address environmental issues, tender documentation has been prepared for the Municipality of Rožaje for the relocation and remediation of the “Mostina” landfill. In addition, conceptual solutions have been developed for the long-term development of the Štedim ski region, based on best practices from ski resorts in Austria, Italy, and Slovenia. Furthermore, an e-mobility project entitled “ECO Bus” has been designed to provide organized transportation for schoolchildren and elderly residents.
In Berane and Bijelo Polje, consultations have been initiated on wastewater management and regional waste management, while a project concept has been proposed to the Municipality of Kotor to address water losses within the water supply network.
Expert support was provided to the municipalities of Gusinje, Petnjica, Plav, and Rožaje in the preparation of project applications for grant funding from the Embassy of Japan under the POPOS Programme. Through these applications, the municipalities seek to secure the necessary equipment and municipal service vehicles.
For Gusinje and Kotor, the preparation of statutes and strategic plans for the establishment of Local Action Groups (LAGs) is currently underway. LAGs represent partnerships between the public, private, and civil sectors aimed at the development of specific rural and agricultural areas. This documentation creates the necessary conditions for residents of these areas to access funding from European IPARD programmes in the coming period. The development of the LAGs is being based on best practices and experiences from Slovenia and Croatia, while preparations are also underway for the drafting of a Local Development Strategy for the LAG Boka (Kotor–Tivat–Herceg Novi).
For the Municipality of Plužine, the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the Development Study of a tourism and recreational zone has commenced. The study will include plans for a gondola lift, lakeside amenities, and eco-tourism facilities.
Through expert engagement, support was provided to municipalities in establishing realistic foundations for the gradual introduction of modern technologies that facilitate administrative processes through a Document Management System (DMS). A Terms of Reference document was prepared for the “Digital Twins” project, aimed at fostering local community development through the establishment of an advanced AI-powered web-based platform for interactive virtual tours. The platform enables the digital representation of local assets and development potential through a spatially oriented multimedia experience. In this way, the public sector gains an additional communication channel with citizens and visitors, reduces the burden on administrative capacities, and improves access to information on a 24/7 basis.
For the Municipality of Bar, a project concept has been developed for a future smart interactive application that will serve as a digital guide and simplify communication between citizens and the local administration. Other municipalities have been introduced to advanced software solutions that, in the future, could accelerate the search and processing of extensive municipal documentation, thereby reducing operational costs and improving the efficiency of responding to citizens’ requests.
In the Municipality of Nikšić, where a labour market diversification project is being implemented SteelCityZen, in the Municipality of Nikšić, where a labour market diversification project funded by the European Union is being implemented, support was provided in the preparation of documentation for conducting a tender procedure in accordance with EU procurement rules for the engagement of lecturers at a transnational workshop.
Thanks to expert support, the Terms of Reference for a feasibility study were also prepared to explore the integration of healthcare, tourism, agriculture, environmental protection, and healthy lifestyles in rural and other areas across all Montenegrin municipalities. The project is financed by the Association of Municipalities of Montenegro. The most favourable bidder has already been selected, and based on the completed feasibility study, the Association of Municipalities will develop a proposal for sustainable local development policies for all 25 municipalities. In this way, the project will contribute to strengthening Montenegro’s competitiveness in the European market.
