In the heart of Biogradska Gora, a new European story begins in Kolašin. For the first time, this municipality becomes part of the prestigious URBACT programme, which connects cities and municipalities across Europe to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices in sustainable development.
Together with partners from Italy, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Moldova, Portugal, and Ukraine, Kolašin has been selected to take part in the “CityLake” project, which will last 30 months and has a clear mission – to protect lake ecosystems and promote responsible management of water resources.
The project draws inspiration from the Italian town of Borgomanero, which leads the recognised European best practice “Cusio Lake Pact” – an innovative model of cooperation between local authorities, the community, scientific institutions, and the tourism sector, aimed at preserving lakes and water resources.
Borgomanero’s experience will be adapted to local conditions in each partner country, including Montenegro.
The CityLake project officially begins on 1 November 2025, with the first partner meeting scheduled for early December in Borgomanero. The total project budget amounts to €750,000.
Biogradsko Lake – Natural Heritage and a Development Opportunity
For Kolašin, this project carries special significance. Biogradsko Lake, one of the oldest glacial lakes in Europe, is not only a natural attraction but also a symbol of shared responsibility and a potential driver for future development.
Through the CityLake project, the municipality will develop a model of cooperation between institutions, the local community, and businesses, with the aim of preserving biodiversity, improving water resource management, and promoting responsible tourism.
“Biogradsko Lake is our pride, but also our responsibility. This project allows us to apply European experiences and lay the foundations for sustainable development for future generations,” said Branka Subotić, Senior Adviser for Project Implementation in the Municipality of Kolašin, who led the preparation process on behalf of the Office for European Integration.
Kolašin – A Small Town with a European Vision
Through CityLake, Kolašin is not only protecting nature but also building a bridge towards European standards of sustainable development. The project marks a new phase in local governance – one in which ecology, tourism, and community development go hand in hand.
“Kolašin aims to become a regional example of good practice in lake protection and to show that even smaller towns can be part of major European changes. Biogradsko Lake is a reflection of our attitude towards the future. And the future is what we create together – responsibly, thoughtfully, and sustainably,” added Subotić.
From “Municipalities for the EU” to the European Network of Cities
Kolašin’s journey towards joining the URBACT network was supported by the project “Municipalities for the EU – Empowering Local Communities in the European Integration Process of Montenegro”, funded by the European Union.
Through this initiative, the municipality received mentoring support to strengthen its capacity to prepare and submit international projects, directly contributing to the successful application for CityLake. Thanks to the expertise and guidance of mentors, as well as the technical support of expert Mario Ringov, Kolašin developed a high-quality and transparent budget fully aligned with URBACT programme rules.
About the URBACT IV Programme
URBACT IV is a European programme for interregional cooperation that promotes integrated and sustainable urban development, helping cities and municipalities to learn, plan, and improve local policies together.
The programme includes 27 European Union member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and the Western Balkan countries – Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. The programme is co-funded by the European Union.
