Podgorica, July 29, 2021 – The provision of solar panels for the production of electricity will improve the conditions for living and agricultural production for 25 households in remote rural areas in the territory of Cetinje. The agreement on financing the procurement of solar photovoltaic systems was signed by the Mayor of the Old Royal Capital, Aleksandar Kašćelan, and the UNDP Resident Representative for Montenegro, Daniela Gašparikova.

„We want to provide better conditions for the return and life of people in the countryside. The Cetinje region, especially its rural areas, is harsh, so the Old Royal Capital is investing efforts to provide basic living conditions such as water and electricity. I am glad that UNDP has recognized and supported our efforts, which is why I express special gratitude for this project of procurement of solar panels, that we will implement together,“ Kašćelan said.

Solar panels are intended for household owners and members of families owning farms and households who do not have constant and stable access to electricity, whose primary source of income is agriculture or who are beneficiaries of social assistance. The support is intended for the residents of the following local communities: Bata Cucka, Njeguši, Ćeklići, Čevo, Trešnjevo, and Ubla Čevska.

Gašparikova pointed out that in partnership with the Government, local governments, public companies, private investors and civil society, UNDP promoted climate innovations and investments that led to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in many sectors – tourism, agriculture, transport and energy.

“Climate change requires the widest possible use of renewable energy sources, and now agricultural households in remote rural areas of the capital will have the opportunity to purchase and use solar photovoltaic systems. In this way, with a positive impact on the environment and access to energy, we create favorable conditions for agriculture and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of rural areas,“ Gašparikova added.

The project will provide a maximum of 25 solar photovoltaic systems for electricity production that allow charging phones and the operation of light bulbs, radios, TV sets and refrigerators. Funds for this support program were provided by UNDP, through the project “Growing Green Business in Montenegro“ and the Old Royal Capital Cetinje, and the end user is obliged to cover 10 percent of the total costs.

All agricultural holdings and farms that meet the following conditions are eligible to participate in the call: household members reside in the rural area of the Old Royal Capital, in the territory of one of the above local communities; the household is not connected to the electricity grid and it has not received solar power supply equipment from someone else.

Criteria that will be additionally evaluated are as follows: engagement in an agricultural activity: farming, viticulture, animal husbandry, etc., number of conditional heads of livestock that the household has, number of family members, presence of young people in the household, social status of the head and household members.

The public call was announced on July 19, and applications can be submitted until August 2. Additional information about the call, conditions and necessary documents can be found at the Civic Bureau of the Capital, offices of local communities and on the website of the Old Royal Capital www.cetinje.me.