A total of 36 Montenegrin institutions and organizations will participate in the implementation of 29 projects supported under the First Call for Project Proposals of the Interreg IPA VI-A IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021-2027.
As announced at the Program Monitoring Committee meeting held in Mostar, the total value of Montenegrin institutions’ and organizations’ participation in these projects amounts to around €12.5 million, of which approximately €10.5 million are EU grants.
Of the 29 projects, three Montenegrin institutions will lead projects as the main partners: the Municipality of Tuzi (project To 0 Waste), the Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Montenegro (project BLUECONNECT), and the General Hospital “Blažo Orlandić” in Bar (project PATODIGITAL).
Other entities from Montenegro are participating as project partners. Within the specific objective related to research and innovation, the supported entities include the previously mentioned Institute of Marine Biology and the Chamber of Commerce (project BLUECONNECT), the University of Montenegro – Faculty of Maritime Studies (MARROBO), the Municipality of Tuzi (CROSSMART), the University of Montenegro – Faculty of Maritime Studies and the Innovation Fund (ROBONETCBC), ICT Cortex (CBC GAIN), and IPC Tehnopolis (CODES).
In the field of climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, the supported entities include the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology and the Environmental Protection Agency (SMART-Water), Water Supply and Sewerage Herceg Novi (WATERLINK), the Environmental Protection Agency (AllerShield), the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management (ClimBeach), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs – Directorate for Protection and Rescue (LADY).
In health and social protection projects, funding recipients include the Institute of Public Health and Health Center Tivat (Before Time), Health Center Tivat (RISE-UP), the Emergency Medical Service (RACE 2), the Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities in Podgorica (HEARTS), and the General Hospital Bar for the projects DIGIHEALTH and the aforementioned PATODIGITAL, in which this healthcare institution is the lead partner.
In the area of tourism and culture, the supported projects involve the Municipality of Bar and the Municipality of Ulcinj (GIFTSnet), the Old Royal Capital Cetinje (REVERS), the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management (GREENPULSE), the Tourism Organization of Herceg Novi (SUSTOUR), and the National Parks of Montenegro and the Center for Protection and Study of Birds (PA.CON II).
At the previous Monitoring Committee meeting, projects targeting two specific objectives were approved. In the field of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction, the supported entities include IPC Tehnopolis (project SMART DeCARB), the Municipality of Tivat (APOLLO), and the Municipality of Herceg Novi (SINERGY). In the field of transitioning to a resource-efficient circular economy, the supported entities include the Municipality of Tuzi (To 0 Waste), the Municipality of Ulcinj (R10D3), the Municipality of Zeta and Čistoća d.o.o. Podgorica (RECIRCLE), and the Municipal Utility Company Kotor (CircleAware).
A total of 33 projects (24 at the last meeting) were approved under the First Call, involving 142 partners from all three countries. The complete list of approved projects can be downloaded here. The projects are expected to begin implementation in the second half of this year.
The Interreg VI-A IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro is a continuation of the previous highly successful cross-border cooperation program between the three countries, implemented within the 2021-2027 financial framework. The program area in Montenegro includes the Capital City Podgorica, the Old Royal Capital Cetinje, and the municipalities of Bar, Budva, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Nikšić, Tivat, Tuzi, Ulcinj, and Zeta.
