Work began on a nearly 6.1 million euro wastewater project in Mojkovac, northern Montenegro, on 4 November 2026, the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development said. The project is intended to improve municipal infrastructure and wastewater management while supporting the preservation of the area’s natural values.
The works include approximately eight kilometres of new sewage network in the settlements of Podbišće, Juškovića Potok and Ambarine. In the town centre, the project provides for separating stormwater and sewage systems along approximately two kilometres, as well as adapting and upgrading the existing wastewater treatment plant, which has capacity for 5,250 population equivalents (PE).
Minister Damjan Ćulafić attended the start of construction in Mojkovac with colleagues. He said the new network, which he described as extending more than eight kilometres, and the plant upgrade would create better living conditions. The project’s stated aims also include improving the efficiency of wastewater management and contributing to the protection of Mojkovac’s natural assets and those of northern Montenegro.
European grants and public financing
The European Union is providing 2,952,621.00 euros in grants through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), under grant agreement WBIG-J07-MNE-ENV-01. The agreement covers improvements to wastewater and water supply systems in northern Montenegro, including the municipalities of Kolašin, Rožaje and Mojkovac.
A further 1,500,000.00 euros in loan financing has been secured through an arrangement between the Government of Montenegro and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The Municipality of Mojkovac is contributing 619,296.00 euros from its budget. The remaining amount is planned to come with support from the state, through suitable budgetary or other available financing sources.
The financing arrangement with the EIB for projects in Mojkovac, Kolašin and Rožaje was signed a year earlier and set aside a grant-support package of 22.5 million euros. The figures for the three municipalities relate to that wider arrangement; the project in Mojkovac has its own grant and loan allocations as well as the municipal contribution.
Ćulafić called the Mojkovac project “a concrete step in implementing our policies and obligations”. He said the ministry was focusing on delivering projects on the ground after bringing work on commitments under Chapter 27 and the European agenda substantially towards completion, while awaiting decisions from EU member states and the European Commission.
Other priorities he listed included environmental infrastructure projects, landfill rehabilitation and clean-up, addressing polluters and protecting the Zeta River. He said the Mojkovac project also contributes to the overall economic development of northern Montenegro and benefits residents and the municipality.
“What we promise must be based on realistic goals and projects that are actually being implemented,” Ćulafić said. He added that delivering funding secured through cooperation with European partners could help restore public trust in institutions through accountability, action and fulfilled commitments. The remaining project financing is planned to be secured with state support.
