Vanja Starovlah is an accomplished expert in European integration and local governance, with over 20 years of experience. Her career with the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro spanned from 2002 to 2024, during which she held important roles, including Deputy Secretary General and the Secretary of the European Integration Committee. Ms. Starovlah’s work focused on monitoring European integration processes and supporting inter-municipal and international cooperation, ensuring that Montenegrin municipalities are well-prepared to leverage EU opportunities. Her expertise also extended to delivering more than 60 training programs at both national and regional levels, multiple TAIEX workshops, and numerous high-profile national and international conferences. She is the author of numerous publications and articles on EU integration and fundraising.