On 28 May 2022, the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro in partnership with the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro hosted the second European Projects Fair in Montenegro’s capital of Podgorica, with the aim to promote the benefits of EU-funded projects to a wider audience. The fair was held in front of Petrović Palace, located in the heart of one of the city’s largest public parks.
The event brought together representatives from 45 institutions and organizations who have received EU funding to implement a number of projects in the whole of Montenegro. Exhibitors at stands included public authorities, local governments, associations, educational institutions, research institutes, NGOs and other entities who have benefited from EU assistance.
Many of them have carried out projects supported through cross-border and transnational cooperation programmes within the IPA II framework, including the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro 2014-2020 programme. During the fair, citizens had the chance to learn about different EU-funded projects and get promotional gifts.
The European Projects Fair was opened by Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Jovana Marović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Integration of Montenegro and Oana Cristina Popa, Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro.
“The participation of so many institutions and organizations at this year’s fair confirms that Montenegro has the capacity to use available European funds. While we can always do more and better, I believe we have every reason to be proud of what has been achieved so far. I am confident we will benefit from the IPA III funding to an even greater extent”, said Ms Drakić.
Jovana Marović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Integration of Montenegro, said the fair helped improve the visibility of EU-funded projects, enabling our citizens to see concrete benefits of EU support.
“European integration is at the core of the work of the new government, which is committed to Montenegro joining the EU as soon as possible. These projects have helped strengthen the rule of law, environmental protection, education, health and many other areas. We will continue to support beneficiaries in enhancing their capacities to carry out EU-funded projects efficiently”, said Marović.
Oana Cristina Popa, Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, said that the numerous EU-funded projects presented at the fair prove not only that the Union is the largest donor in Montenegro, but also that the support is used in the right way.
“The EU’s pre-accession funds in Montenegro are used for many important projects that aim to improve citizens’ quality of life. I have seen whole cross-border communities grow together thanks to our programmes. The EU accession process is already making an impact on people’s lives in Montenegro, while preparing the country to become part of the European Union,” said Popa.
One of the busiest stands was the one by the Municipality of Tuzi, which is currently implementing two projects funded within the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro 2014-2020 programme.
“The Municipality of Tuzi has been implementing cross-border cooperation projects for more than 10 years now, with a view to addressing important challenges that our communities face. Together with our partners from Italy and Albania, we have been increasingly focused on fostering energy efficiency and climate change resilience. As a lead partner on the LEC project, we are developing a local community of active energy consumers by conducting local actions that aim to bring about a change in consumer behaviour. Similarly, energy efficiency and climate change adaptation are at the heart of the ADRIA_Alliance project, where we are involved as project partners, said Amra Pepić, head of the international cooperation office at the Municipality of Tuzi, adding that she hopes that Montenegro will soon be in a position to benefit from the EU’s structural funds.