The program intends drafting a sustainable local development strategy for each of the five municipalities together with all interested local people as politicians, business people, public servants, farmers, teachers, and young people.

Background and objectives

Sustainability is stated in the joint regional tourism strategy as leading principle for all further actions and measures. Montenegro as a whole declared itself as “ecological state”, which is legally stated in the national constitution.

So also, sustainable development for the entire region of Bjelasica & Komovi – including the five municipalities Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Mojkovac – obviously requires examples of good practices at the local level too.

The project approach foresees to consider social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects as well as a strong multi-stakeholder engagement. It aims to maximize the positive benefits and at the same time minimizing negative impacts by strictly following the policy of sustainability in all steps and projects.

 Implementation

Local Agenda groups have been established in all five municipalities. Right from the start it was of main importance to incorporate many different stakeholders and important opinion leaders as well as representatives of local association and working groups. Local Ownership is one important working approach to make sure that stakeholders take on responsibility for the project and the development agenda.

These Local Agenda groups have selected pilot projects – according to certain criteria – for each of the municipalities. Those pilot projects – supported by the Small Project Fund - serve as model for local commitment and contribute to the overarching objectives of the joint regional tourism strategy.

As next step, the Local Agenda groups elaborate brochures, which describes best each place but also reflects possible future development and role of each municipality corresponding to the joint tourism strategy.

Projects