On the first day of the meeting of the Network of Municipal Project Managers, key results and planned activities of the EU-funded project “Municipalities4EU – Empowering Local Self-Governments in the EU Integration Process” were presented. The project aims to strengthen the capacities of local governments in the EU integration process and improve the use of available EU funds.
The meeting was opened with introductory remarks by Orlando Fusco, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, and Branka Mračević, Team Leader of the “Municipalities4EU” project. Fusco highlighted the growing attention of the European Union towards Montenegro, emphasizing the EU’s readiness to further support local governments through concrete programmes, capacity building, and grants that deliver visible and measurable results for citizens. He particularly stressed the importance of involving the local level in the EU integration process, as well as initiatives such as the establishment of EU Info Points and the celebration of Europe Day, which contribute to a better understanding of the EU among citizens.
Mračević presented the results achieved so far within the “Municipalities4EU” project, with a special focus on strengthening municipal capacities, improving communication, and increasing the visibility of EU-related topics at the local level. The work plan for 2026 was also presented, with participants agreeing on the importance of further tailoring support to the concrete needs of municipalities, including project development and strengthening local economic development, particularly in the areas of digitalisation and the provision of electronic services.
Darko Mrvaljević, Grant Manager, presented the activities of the “EU4All – EU for All” project and announced a Call for Proposals for financing projects of local self-governments. He highlighted that the programme will enable municipalities to implement concrete projects aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life and addressing local development needs. He also announced that the call for infrastructure and citizen service improvement projects will be published by the end of April, with the first contracts expected from September, and a maximum grant amount of up to EUR 60,000 per project.
During the second part of the meeting, Nina Blažić, Director General for Local Self-Government at the Ministry of Public Administration, presented updates regarding the adoption process of the Law on Local Self-Government, highlighting key changes that will impact the functioning of municipalities and improve local governance.
Experiences from Croatia in the use of EU funds were presented by Zrinka Marić, Project Manager at the Entrepreneurship Centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, showcasing examples of good practice and the tangible benefits that local communities can achieve through effective use of EU funds.
The meeting concluded with a discussion among participants, reaffirming the importance of continuous cooperation between municipalities, the Union of Municipalities, and international partners, with the shared goal of strengthening local capacities and effectively utilising the opportunities offered by the EU integration process.
