A total of 26 projects submitted by non-governmental organisations have been selected for support through the first calls for proposals launched under the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 – ReLOaD3. With a total value of EUR 378,153.43, the projects will introduce new solutions in the areas of environmental protection, social inclusion, youth activism, culture, rural development and the improvement of local services. The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in partnership with 11 local governments in Montenegro.
In the north of the country, the projects will address the issue of microplastics, support the development of rural tourism in the Pljevlja and Đurđevića Tara areas, promote Pljevlja cheese and foster intergenerational connections in Mojkovac. In Berane and Bijelo Polje, mobile support services will be established for vulnerable groups in rural areas, assistance will be provided to support the employment of persons with disabilities, and youth initiatives in agriculture will be launched to connect green, digital and rural development.
Podgorica will benefit from initiatives promoting more responsible management of waste tyres, fire prevention, more efficient public transport and youth education, while young people in Danilovgrad will lead activities aimed at raising environmental awareness. In Nikšić, the accessibility of cultural content will be improved, alongside support for persons with disabilities and active ageing. In Plužine, particular attention will be devoted to the protection of Piva Lake.
In the coastal municipalities, the supported projects will bring together the cultural heritage of the Bay of Kotor through music and traditional dances, revive the legends of Kotor and improve services for persons with disabilities. They will also enhance the waste disposal system in Bar and contribute to a more humane approach to managing both stray and owned animals through identification and sterilisation.
The calls for proposals, which were open from March until the end of May 2026, depending on the cluster, attracted a total of 71 project applications. During the application period, information sessions, project proposal writing workshops and mentoring support were organised in each of the 11 municipalities for all interested non-governmental organisations.
The 26 highest-rated projects were selected for funding:
- six projects under the Central region cluster, with a total value of EUR 84,590.83;
- six projects under the Moving on together cluster, with a total value of EUR 75,824.50;
- five projects under the Tara cluster, with a total value of EUR 79,810.70;
- five projects under the Nexus Maris cluster, with a total value of EUR 84,302.00; and
- four projects under the North matters cluster, with a total value of EUR 53,625.40.
Building on the achievements of its previous phases, ReLOaD3 continues to strengthen partnerships between local governments and the non-governmental sector through transparent, project-based funding of initiatives that respond to the specific needs of citizens.
Throughout this process, participating municipalities also establish closer cooperation, exchange good practices and improve their existing systems for allocating funds to non-governmental organisations. This will help them prepare for future access to European Union funding while building meaningful partnerships in the meantime. The third phase of the programme places particular emphasis on increasing the participation of young people in local community development and decision-making processes.