European Day in Tivat: European Integration as an Opportunity for Better Life for Citizens and Development of the Local Community

"European Integration is Not Just a Political Process – It is an Opportunity to Improve the Everyday Lives of Citizens, Especially the Youth and Children Who Will Be Future Citizens of the European Union"

This message was delivered by the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, during the celebration of European Day in Tivat.

The working visit to the Municipality of Tivat was realized as part of the project "EU4ME – Support for Communicating the European Integration Process," and Minister Gorčević, along with her associates, met with the President of the Municipality, Željko Komnenović, and his team. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities and projects available to the Municipality of Tivat through cross-border cooperation programs, the potential for further development of the municipality, and the importance of actively involving local governments in the European integration process.

The Minister presented current calls within the Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation program, highlighting that Tivat has significant opportunities to participate in projects related to ecology, culture, mobility, and sustainable energy.

“Our goal is for Tivat, as well as other municipalities in Montenegro, to experience tangible benefits from European integration. The Ministry of European Affairs remains a reliable partner for local governments on the European path that will contribute to a better quality of life for citizens,” said Minister Gorčević.

The President of the Municipality of Tivat, Željko Komnenović, expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the Minister and emphasized the local government’s readiness to continue strengthening the city’s European path.

“Local communities are the foundation of Montenegro's story of joining the European Union,” pointed out the President of the Municipality of Tivat. “Tivat has been very successful in implementing projects from international funds in the past period, and I hope we will maintain this pace. Let me remind you that we are in the process of procuring an electric bus and a solar power plant, and there are prospects for improving urban mobility and waste recycling.”

During the visit to the Public Preschool Institution "Bambi," Minister Gorčević and President Komnenović attended an educational workshop titled "Recycling in Color: Protecting Nature," which aims to introduce young children to the importance of proper waste disposal and environmental preservation. As part of the "EU4ME – Support for Communicating the European Integration Process" project, the Ministry of European Affairs donated three eco-benches and three recycling bins for plastic, paper, and glass to this institution. The benches and bins are made from eco boards, produced by recycling plastic with labels 2 and 5, further promoting sustainable resource use. On this occasion, the Minister also gifted eco-friendly coloring books to the children, emphasizing that adopting ecological habits from an early age is the foundation for creating responsible, environmentally-conscious citizens.

European Day in Tivat was also an opportunity for the Ministry and Municipality delegation to visit the Secondary Mixed School "Mladost," where a modern professional kitchen for practical training of hospitality students was equipped under the Interreg IPA "CUHaCHA" project. Students had the opportunity to talk with the Minister and the President of the Municipality about the importance of education, professional development, and the opportunities provided by European programs and funds.

While visiting educational institutions, the Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation has applied with a large number of projects under the Reform Agenda for the Growth Plan, stressing that investing in education and school and preschool infrastructure must be a priority to provide young people with modern learning and development conditions.

Tivat is the eighth municipality that Minister Gorčević has visited as part of the "European Day in Your City" campaign, aimed at spreading the European idea and encouraging local communities to actively participate in the European integration process.