LocationsVisionaries from the Neighbourhood: Start the Change Where You Live
July 24, 2025
In a small workshop near the port in Bar, Miroslavka Bokovac and her family are reviving the ancient craft of wooden boatbuilding. In Mojkovac, Goran Rabrenović from the “Polja Citizens’ Association” is leading projects that breathe new life into mountain trails and foster rural tourism. Though their backgrounds differ, these two enthusiasts from opposite ends of the country are united by a shared mission: to preserve authentic local values and strengthen the communities they call home.
When tradition becomes a brand
Miroslavka Bokovac is not a shipwright by trade, but she is a visionary. When she joined her family’s workshop in Bar, she brought fresh energy and a bold idea: that the traditional craft of Kalafat - wooden boat caulking belongs not to the past, but to Montenegro’s future as a unique and authentic tourist destination. In a world of fast yachts and plastic hulls, the wooden boats crafted by the Bokovac workshop have become a symbol of enduring quality.
Thanks to the ReLOaD programme, the workshop has enhanced its visibility by training young people and hosting cultural events such as a regatta in the Bay of Kotor. The most important result? Passing knowledge down to the next generation.
“We’ve learned how to write and manage projects effectively and access other funding opportunities. We’ve also had the chance to share our story more broadly and received confirmation that local craftsmanship and Montenegrin wood have global potential - evidenced by orders arriving from across the ocean,”
“Most importantly, we’ve managed to engage young people in traditional boatbuilding. These wooden boats are a source of pride for Montenegro’s maritime heritage, and it’s crucial to show new generations that tradition is not a burden. It can inspire them to become exceptional sailors, rowers, or even boatbuilders,” Milodarka says.
When a mountain trail becomes a driver of local development
Goran Rabrenović knows every ridge of Mount Sinjajevina. But he also knows that natural beauty alone is not enough to attract visitors or spark sustainable rural development. Through a project supported by ReLOaD and led by the Polja Citizens’ Association, a thematic hiking trail called “Springs” was created - seven kilometres of scenic paths, complete with viewpoints, bivouacs, and trail signage. Digital GPS tracks were developed and handed over to the local tourism office.
Along this richly diverse route, visitors encounter natural springs with constant temperatures, discover local legends, and experience a taste of the region’s heritage, which is captured in this promotional video.
“This isn’t just a marked trail. It’s a new opportunity for people in our region to stay, to work, and to show guests the very best of what we have,”Goran explains.
His idea, transformed into a NGO initiative, enriched the tourist experience and created tangible benefits for every rural household in the area:
“The project also included training - local families learned how to become successful hosts, how to communicate in English, and how to present their services in a professional way.”
Together for the community
The stories of Miroslavka and Goran show that when civil society organizations are empowered and connected with local authorities and international partners, meaningful results follow. Their achievements are just two among 139 successful initiatives implemented during the first two phases of the ReLOaD programme, which is built on responding to real community needs and creating sustainable solutions through collaboration.
A new opportunity awaits civil society organizations ready to follow their lead. Early next year, a new public call will be launched under the third phase of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD), funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in partnership with 11 municipalities. For those who believe in the power of community and local action, it’s a call to get involved and to lead the change.