LocationsTwo decades of shared progress, resilience, and development
20 Years of Partnership for Montenegro’s Sustainable Development
May 20, 2026
On 21 May 2026, Montenegro marks 20 years since the restoration of its independence.
Over the past 20 years, Montenegro has made significant strides in human development, improving the quality of life and expanding opportunities for its citizens.
UNDP has been a long-standing partner in this journey, supporting Montenegro in shaping evidence-based policies focused on inclusion, equality, and sustainable development, while keeping people at the centre of development.
While Montenegro’s development story cannot be captured in numbers alone, these 20 highlights reflect some of the milestones achieved together over the past two decades.
Protecting Nature and Advancing the Green Transition
Transforming an ecological blackspot into safer environment
For decades, the former Brskovo lead and zinc mine tailings site in Mojkovac represented one of Montenegro’s most serious environmental hazards. Together with the Government of Montenegro and with financial support from the Government of Czechia, UNDP supported the rehabilitation of this ecological blackspot through a six-year remediation effort worth €10.6 million.
Expanding protected areas and preserving biodiversity
The country has expanded its protected areas from 9% to over 13% of its territory, including the establishment of the Piva and Komovi Nature Parks.
Today, more than 55,000 hectares of rich ecosystems and biodiversity are safeguarded, preserving Montenegro’s unique landscapes while bringing the country closer to its global biodiversity commitments.
Supporting the green transition through the Eco-Fund
The establishment of Montenegro’s Eco-Fund is helping advance climate mitigation and energy efficiency, while encouraging citizens, public institutions, and businesses to rethink how they use energy, manage resources, address waste, and protect biodiversity. At the same time, national programmes implemented through the Eco-Fund are enabling around 3,500 households to improve the energy efficiency and wellbeing of their homes.
Raising climate ambition
With continuous support since 2011, Montenegro has strengthened its climate policies and aligned them with global commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Today, Montenegro’s updated climate targets aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and 60% by 2035, representing a significant leap in ambition. The country was among the first countries globally to adopt stronger, next-generation climate targets aligned with the latest international standards.
Strengthening Sustainable Development and Just Transition
Montenegro is positioning its main coal region at the centre of one of the country’s most important long-term transformations. UNDP led a national Just Transition dialogue which has already delivered concrete results, including over €1 million invested in household energy efficiency in Pljevlja, engagement of more than 400 stakeholders, and the development of key strategic frameworks.
Furthermore, UNDP is working closely with EPCG and the Pljevlja Coal Mine on the establishment of a Green Jobs Training Centre, which is designed to equip those remaining in the energy industry with the skills needed for modern jobs aligned with market demands.
Building Modern and Responsive Intitutions
Accelerating digital transformation
Montenegro is shifting from paper-based administration to modern digital governance.
UNDP supported the development of key national digital platforms, including the eGovernment portal, now one of the pillars of public administration modernization. The platform now provides more than 40 citizen-oriented services, significantly reducing administrative barriers and improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of public services.
Supporting public administration reform
In partnership with the Government of Montenegro, UNDP has supported efforts to build a more modern, transparent, and citizen-oriented public administration system capable of delivering smarter public policies and long-term development planning aligned with EU standards.
Creating space for dialogue and trust
Through initiatives implemented together with national and local partners, UNDP introduced citizen dialogue models that brought together nearly 800 people to discuss challenges affecting their communities and propose solutions for the common good.
Across municipalities, citizens, young people, educators, civil society organizations, media representatives, and local authorities engaged in discussions on issues such as hate speech, gender-based violence, youth participation, and social inclusion, highlighting the importance of dialogue in building stronger and more resilient communities.
Supporting local democracy and civil society
Through the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD), implemented since 2017, UNDP helped strengthen transparent funding mechanisms for grassroots civil society initiatives in 17 municipalities across Montenegro.
The programme contributed to more accountable local governance while empowering communities to actively participate in shaping local development priorities.
Investing in International Dialogue
For nearly two decades, Montenegro has hosted young diplomats from around the world through the Summer School for Young Diplomats, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP.
Over the past 18 years, more than 860 young diplomats from 98 countries have participated in the programme, creating a unique platform for dialogue, international cooperation, and exchange of ideas among future global leaders.
Advancing Social Inclusion and Human Development
Transforming Social Protection Through Digital Innovation
Montenegro’s e-Social system stands as the country’s most important digital reform in social protection. Developed jointly by the Government of Montenegro and UNDP, e-Social modernized the delivery of social and child protection services and benefits, making them more accessible, transparent, and efficient for citizens.
Since becoming operational in 2015, e-Social has processed more than €1.2 billion in benefits and over 1.5 million administrative decisions, while facilitating more than 200,000 monthly payments, significantly improving the efficiency and reach of the social protection system.
Building Community-Based Social Services
Over the past two decades, Montenegro has advanced its social protection system by shifting from institutional care toward community-based services focused on people’s needs.
More than 40 social protection service facilities were established across Montenegro, expanding support for children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable families. With UNDP support, 13 day care centres for older persons and persons with disabilities were integrated into the national social protection system, ensuring long-term sustainability and institutional financing.
Advancing Disability Inclusion Through Rights-Based Reform
Montenegro adopted its first Law on Unified Disability Assessment, marking an important step toward a more inclusive and rights-based approach to disability.
Around 60,000 citizens and their family members are expected to benefit from fairer, faster, and more transparent access to services, healthcare, education, social protection, and employment support — shifting the focus from medical assessments toward dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
Empowering Young People and Investing in the Future
Over the past two decades, Montenegro strengthened youth participation and inclusion through the development of youth policies and local youth services and centres.
A major recognition of this progress came with the selection of Podgorica as the European Youth Capital for 2028, reflecting the country’s recognition of the importance of investing in youth participation, innovation, and inclusive development.
Supporting Smarter Policymaking
As part of Montenegro’s broader public administration reforms and EU integration process, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and other institutions, UNDP supported the introduction and strengthening of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), helping institutions improve evidence-based policymaking and the quality of legislation.
Today, Montenegro is advancing toward a more comprehensive policymaking system that increasingly considers economic, social, and environmental impacts in decision-making processes.
Strengthening Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
Advancing Women’s Participation in Politics
Montenegro has achieved one of the most significant shifts in the region regarding women's political participation. With UNDP’s support, gender quotas of 30% on electoral lists were introduced and subsequently progressively increased to 40%, while political parties, for the first time, received mandatory funding for the work of women’s party wings.
Through the Women's Political Network, the Leadership Network, and the Network of Women Diplomats, alongside leadership programs and long-term support to institutions and organizations, more than 5,000 activists have undergone training, mentoring, and empowerment processes.
Expanding Economic Opportunities for Women
UNDP supported the first Strategy for Women's Entrepreneurship and introduced grants and specialized credit lines for women. Today, more than 700,000 euros in support is distributed annually to women entrepreneurs across 16 municipalities through local grant schemes.
Special focus has been placed on women in rural areas, STEM fields, the green and digital economy, and the jobs of the future.
Accelerating the Response to Gender-Based Violence
With UNDP’s support, a legislative and strategic framework was developed to combat violence against women, including alignment with the Istanbul Convention and the creation of the first unified multi-sectoral Protocol on Handling Cases of Violence.
Through campaigns, training, and support for institutions and women’s organizations, violence against women is no longer a topic of silence; it is now a matter of public responsibility for both society and the state.
Integrating Gender Equality into Institutions and Policies
For over two decades, UNDP Montenegro has been integrating gender perspective into laws, strategies, budgets, and national reform processes, helping make gender equality a core part of the system’s institutions.
In 2025 alone, a gender perspective was integrated into 25 laws and strategies, most of which are prerequisites for EU integration. More than 2,000 professionals from public administration, the judiciary, and various institutions have completed training in gender-responsive policymaking, significantly strengthening institutional accountability for implementing the principles of equality.
Changing Social Norms and Gender Stereotypes
UNDP addressed gender stereotypes through campaigns, research, exhibitions, public events, and partnerships with media and artists, opening space for dialogue on stereotypes, misogyny, and the position of women in contemporary Montenegrin society.
Campaigns such as “Woman Born in Montenegro”, the “Sing Mara, Sing My Gold” exhibition, the “G-spot” podcast, and the “Women of Montenegro” monograph have continuously pushed the boundaries of public dialogue on gender equality.
Partnership for the future
Montenegro’s development journey has shown that sustainable progress is built through partnership, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
While challenges remain, UNDP remains committed to supporting Montenegro in building a greener, more inclusive, and more resilient future that leaves no one behind.
Together, we continue shaping the next chapter of Montenegro’s development story.
Happy Independence Day, Montenegro!
