12/11/2026 Thirteen Montenegrin municipalities have received the first grants under the EU4ALL in Montenegro project, marking an important step in translating European Union support into concrete investments and better services for citizens.
The awarded projects respond to a wide range of local needs – from social housing for vulnerable pensioners and revitalisation of public spaces, to improved waste management, digital municipal services, sustainable mobility, tourism infrastructure and climate-resilient water solutions.
The grants were formally awarded at a ceremony held in Podgorica, bringing together representatives of the European Union, the Government of Montenegro, NALAS, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro and mayors of the beneficiary municipalities.
Under the first EU4ALL Call for Proposals, launched in May 2026, EUR 900,000 was made available to Montenegrin municipalities. Individual EU grants range from EUR 30,000 to EUR 60,000, with municipalities contributing the remaining share of project costs.
The 13 beneficiary municipalities are Plav, Berane, Kotor, Kolašin, Tuzi, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Nikšić, Bijelo Polje, Rožaje, Gusinje, Andrijevica and Šavnik.
Making Europe visible in local communities
EU Ambassador to Montenegro Johann Sattler stressed that Montenegro’s European path becomes most tangible when it leads to visible improvements in people’s everyday lives.
“This is about making Europe visible in citizens’ everyday lives. This is exactly what we are doing today by supporting 13 projects proposed by municipalities across Montenegro. These are very different projects, but they all have one thing in common – they bring concrete changes to people’s lives.”
Referring to projects in Bijelo Polje, Berane and Plav, Ambassador Sattler highlighted how EU support can address social needs, transform degraded public spaces and create new opportunities for local communities.
“Europe is not only about laws, negotiations and negotiating chapters. Europe means improving people’s quality of life. At the same time, this is also preparation for much bigger opportunities that lie ahead.”
The first EU4ALL grants are therefore not only investments in local infrastructure and services. They also provide municipalities with practical experience in preparing and implementing EU-funded projects at a time when Montenegro is moving closer to EU membership and substantially larger funding opportunities.
Regional cooperation as part of the European path
NALAS Executive Director Kelmend Zajazi underlined that Montenegro’s progress also creates an opportunity for stronger regional cooperation and knowledge exchange among local governments in South-East Europe.
“Regional cooperation is a two-way street. Montenegrin local governments are now among the frontrunners in the European integration process. Through regional cooperation, they also have a responsibility to inspire and support other candidate countries in the region to move forward, because we share a common vision. Our vision is for the entire region to one day become part of the European Union.”
For NALAS, this regional dimension is particularly important. Experience gained by municipalities that are further advanced in the EU integration process can help other local governments prepare for similar reforms, strengthen their project-development capacities and make better use of future EU funding opportunities.
Stronger local governments for better services
Minister of Public Administration Marash Dukaj emphasised that strengthening local government is a long-term reform process that requires sustained commitment and alignment with European standards.
“We are continuously raising the quality of local self-government to a level that ensures lasting progress. Through EU4ALL, we are introducing the highest European standards into the work of our municipalities. Local government reform is a fundamental process that brings substantial change. We are aware that this is not the work of a single mandate, but a long-term mission that lays the foundations for a stable future.”
He stressed that further progress requires cooperation among the Government, municipalities and European partners, with the shared objective of building a modern and efficient administration that serves citizens.
From grants to implementation
The signing of the grant agreements marks the beginning of the implementation phase. Municipalities will receive hands-on support throughout the project cycle, including support related to procurement, financial management, reporting and monitoring of investments.
The projects are designed to address concrete local priorities while at the same time helping municipalities strengthen their ability to prepare and manage increasingly complex investments.
EU4ALL – EU for All in Montenegro is funded by the European Union and implemented by NALAS, in partnership with the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro.
The project runs from 2026 to 2029 and aims to strengthen the capacities of local governments to access and manage EU funds, improve local public infrastructure and services, and support sustainable local development.
The first grant awards demonstrate the central idea behind EU4ALL: European integration becomes meaningful at the local level when reforms and funding translate into visible improvements in the everyday lives of citizens.
