Montenegro’s national parks have introduced a range of projects backed by European Union funding, emphasizing the modernization of protected area management, biodiversity conservation, and collaboration with regional partners. An information day was held at the European House in Podgorica, where the public enterprise responsible for national parks presented these initiatives to stakeholders and the public, detailing the benefits for both protected areas and local communities.
The focus of the meeting was on the LASPEH 2.0 project, aimed at enhancing the protection of key habitats and species in the Southern Adriatic’s protected regions. Park officials also discussed various other EU-supported initiatives that aim to align Montenegro’s management of protected areas with current European practices. These efforts underscore the critical role of EU funding in advancing modern conservation strategies, building capacity within park administrations, and implementing effective measures on-site.
The director of the Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro stated that engaging in international projects and partnerships is a strategic development tool rather than a secondary activity. By obtaining EU support, the parks intend to bolster their ecosystem management capabilities, enhance biodiversity protection, and ensure compliance with European environmental standards. The director highlighted that such collaborations position Montenegro’s national parks as significant contributors to transnational conservation efforts while increasing their visibility beyond national borders.
Officials overseeing projects and international cooperation indicated that nearly thirty project proposals were submitted for 2025, with seven ongoing projects funded by the EU or international bodies, collectively valued at nearly €1 million. Park representatives noted that these initiatives extend beyond administrative formalities, providing concrete benefits such as improved ecological monitoring, enhanced administrative capacity, and increased local involvement in conservation activities.
Representatives from Montenegro’s Ministry of Finance addressed attendees, emphasizing the necessity of strong cost control in EU-funded programs. As the national authority overseeing programs like Interreg South Adriatic and other cross-border initiatives, they stressed that effective financial governance is crucial for maintaining trust and ensuring the sustainability of funded projects over time.
A significant theme during the information day was cross-border and territorial cooperation. Presentations outlined opportunities within several regional Interreg programs, including those focused on the South Adriatic, Danube region, and tri-national areas involving Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. These programs prioritize environmentally focused initiatives, knowledge exchange, and institutional networking across borders. Participation in these frameworks aims to strengthen ecosystem resilience while integrating contemporary European practices into daily management of protected areas.
Among the showcased projects were PA.CON II, which promotes sustainable tourism and ecological connectivity, and ForestConnect, focused on climate-smart forest connectivity for large carnivores across the Balkan-Carpathian-Dinaric region. Other highlighted initiatives included collaborative research under Horizon Europe and ecological field measures designed to support local biodiversity.
Civil society representatives contributed to the discussions by emphasizing the importance of involving non-governmental organizations in project planning and execution. Leaders from environmental NGOs stressed that optimal conservation outcomes arise when institutional capacities, scientific expertise, and grassroots experiences intersect. They advocated for expanding partnerships between public entities and civil society to ensure EU funds result in tangible improvements for protected areas as well as effective environmental education benefiting both nature and local communities.
The presentation of EU-supported projects by Montenegro’s national parks reflects an increasing integration of international funding with national conservation strategies, focusing on resilience, cross-border collaboration, and practical applications of modern conservation tools to safeguard the country’s rich natural heritage.
