The president of the municipality of Tivat, Zeljko Komnenovic, chaired the third meeting of the Economic Council held yesterday. This advisory body, which consists of representatives of the local economy, discussed issues of administrative and communal fees and charges, spatial planning documentation related to business zones, prices and quality of communal services in Tivat, as well as the drafted Municipal Budget for 2021.

Welcoming those present, the president of the municipality, Zeljko Komnenovic, emphasized that he was pleased to greet the members of the Economic Council and hear the opinion of those who are directly involved in the business sector of Tivat. He emphasized that the modality of cooperation with businessmen will undergo significant changes in the coming period, and that this cooperation will be especially strengthened, but on a completely new basis. “There are no small and large businessmen, small and large companies, you are all equally important and through intensive cooperation, we will do our best to improve the business environment in Tivat,” Komnenović pointed out.

“We are in the process of obtaining an internationally recognized certificate for a favorable business environment and out of 10 set criteria and 67 sub-criteria, we have fulfilled 83.3% of the set activities, which makes us a serious candidate for obtaining this prestigious certificate.” For a longer period of time, it will be a guarantee to all new potential investors and companies that want to work in Tivat, that this environment is suitable for business. This is not just a certificate of the municipality of Tivat as an institution. This is a certificate of all of us, and on this occasion I invite all businessmen and strategic investors to use it in all their marketing materials, the moment we are positively evaluated by the evaluators and officially receive this certificate, “said Secretary of Tourism and Entrepreneurship Petar Vujović.

The director of “Waterworks and Sewerage” Tivat, Alen Krivokapić, and the director of the “Communal” company Tivat, Vlado Đukić, presented the members of the council with the pricing policy when it comes to utility fees, waste collection fees, water and sewage charges. Due to the harmonization of prices with the new regulations, in accordance with the Law on Utilities, these companies are required to adopt new price lists. The novelty is that the price of water should be increased for the service of wastewater treatment plants, but the position of the local government is that the Municipality will subsidize citizens in the coming period, covering the cost of operating the plant from the municipal budget, which will be defined later.

Talking to businessmen about administrative and communal taxes and fees, the representatives of the Secretariat for Finance and Local Public Revenues pointed out the fact that the municipal budget suffered a significant blow, due to the epidemiological situation and adopted sets of measures to support the economy and citizens. They invited those present to cooperate in order to plan the funds for the next year as well and realistically as possible. The draft Budget for 2021 amounts to € 16,945,200.00

The representative of the Association of Caterers Tivat, Tonći Francesković, pointed out that the catering and hotel industry is in a very difficult situation. “According to the information we have on the basis of numerous meetings we had as an Association, it is clear that the next season is already lost, and I see a personal solution in lending and injecting credit funds into catering businesses, in order to survive this period,” said Franceskovic.

The representative of the company “Adriatic Marinas” doo, Predrag Leković, spoke about the business challenges caused by the pronounced tourist seasonality, and that specifically Porto Montenegro, tried to overcome this by creating an innovation center “Arsenal Business Club”. According to Leković, there are currently 16 companies operating in this area, they operate from Porto Montenegro, their partners come and this constant movement of people and dynamism, bring benefits.

The vice president of the municipality of Tivat, Goran Bozovic, said that the idea of ​​opening a “business incubator” in Tivat would be seriously considered, which would be an incentive and support for individuals who decide to start their own business, and help in the initial stages of small and medium enterprise development. He called for consideration of a location for such a business center, which could be realized through international projects without large investments by the Municipality, and perhaps in cooperation with the municipalities with which Tivat borders.

The President of the Municipality of Tivat shared with those present the intention of regional integration of the cities of Boka, but also the idea of ​​establishing a national kitchen in Tivat, which would provide direct support to citizens in social need.

Municipality of Tivat and partners won an IPA project worth more than € 700,000

Municipality of Tivat – Secretariat for Tourism and Entrepreneurship and was officially approved for the implementation of the project “EnhanCing Sustainable Tourism Development through Culinary Heritage – CUHaCHA” within the second call of the Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation program between Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro 2014-2020. The project partner is the Agency for Rural Development of Zadar County – AGRRA (HR), and other partners in the implementation of the project, in addition to the Municipality of Tivat, are the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Herzegovina-Neretva County – Canton (BiH) and Zadar County (HR) . The project implementation period is from 15.08.2020. to 14.08.2022. The total budget of the project is € 710,946.94, while the amount is intended for the Municipality of Tivat € 173,823.60. The project was approved under the program priority measure: Contribution to the development of tourism and preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

The key activity of the project refers to the renovation of school premises and equipping the school kitchen in the Secondary School Mladost – “The culinary heritage showroom” which will serve students in professional fields for the needs of holding the practical part of classes. About € 100,000.00 in grants have been provided for this purpose.

The Municipality of Tivat, as a partner organization of the project, will also work on the valorization and promotion of gastronomic heritage, by organizing specialized trainings, networking and promotion of new tourist products that will be produced within the project. One of these products will be “culinary heritage trails” – trails of gastronomic heritage, as well as a chef of traditional recipes.

“The main theme of this project is traditional food, which for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years has played a major role in the tradition and folklore of the countries in the program area, representing a basic part of their cultural heritage. Food and culture are of special importance in our area, especially in Boka where tradition, cultural heritage, gastronomy and catering are inextricably intertwined. It is very important to preserve our indigenous products and dishes from oblivion that the modern age brings with it, and local cuisine and local products are the ones that can encourage innovation and improve development at the regional and global level. Above all, I can further improve the tourist offer, “said Petar Vujovic, secretary of the Secretariat for Tourism and Entrepreneurship, which coordinates the municipal team for writing and implementing EU projects.

The main goal of the project “CUHaCHA” is to strengthen and preserve the identity of the common culinary heritage of the program area and contribute to the development of tourism. This goal will be achieved through the achievement of two specific goals:

1) Establishing cross-border cooperation in order to strengthen the tourist offer and make it more diverse;

2) Better management and promotion of culinary heritage as part of the tourist offer.

In order to achieve the specific goals of the project, 4 results will be realized:

1) Common culinary heritage trails for strengthening and diversifying the tourist offer;

2) Culinary heritage monograph;

3) Training for service providers, to ensure better management of culinary heritage;

4) Arranging traditional kitchens to promote the culinary heritage of this area.

The main target groups that will benefit from the implementation of the project are the general public, public bodies, service providers and other participants in the field of tourism, development and economy in the program area. Despite the potential of the culinary heritage of the program area, there were no transnational projects that would connect it with the tourist offer. This project will achieve a broader goal through cross-border cooperation and create a unique common culinary heritage trail, while strengthening the tourist offer of all three partner countries.

The municipality of Tivat has achieved a significant result when it comes to attracting funds from EU funds. This year, the Secretariat for Tourism and Entrepreneurship received two new projects to be implemented in the next two years. Both are from the field of tourism, but they are different segments. On that basis, the municipality will receive € 300,000.00.

I – SUSTOURISMO

The implementation of the project called “SUSTOURISMO – Sustainable Tourism & Mobility Hand by Hand development” began in the first months of this year. The total budget is € 1,529,250.00 while the budget for the Municipality of Tivat is € 80,820.00.

The project belongs to the Adriatic-Ionian Program (INTERREG ADRION) and will be focused on sustainable mobility. It involves ten partners from seven countries.

In agreement with the Tourist Organization of Tivat, an initial agreement was reached to start purchasing electric scooters with an engraved bar code. With the help of the mobile application, future users of that service will be able to scan that bar code and make payments and use scooters for transportation.

The overall approach to the project divides the activities into three phases:

(1) Territorial analysis: this phase represents the situation in the ADRION area and includes activities such as review and analysis of existing policies, previous and ongoing sustainable tourism projects and the needs of tourists and stakeholders.

(2) This phase includes the design, development and testing of SUSTOURISMO interventions.

(3) The third phase contains the development of all plans and actions that will ensure the continuation of SUSTOURISMO interventions outside the project. Through the above approach, the project will develop three main results: (i) The SUSTOURISMO application. This is a technology application that tourists will use (Android, iOS) through which they will be able to plan and organize their trips to areas they visit based on environmental and cultural criteria / according to existing applications can be built functionality SUSTOURISMO (ii) Travel packages and prizes will be jointly define bodies for tourism and mobility in cities. Therefore, tourists will be able to enjoy these packages and prizes when using the SUSTOURISMO app. Tourist packages and awards will play the role of strong incentives through which tourists will contribute to the sustainability of the environment and the preservation of the cultural heritage of the area. (iii) Cooperation schemes will be established in each pilot area of ​​the project between local and national stakeholders.

This approach goes beyond the existing practice in the participating countries, as it brings a new culture of cooperation between local authorities, tourism authorities and transport organizations in these areas, and this allows the development of incentives with a clear environmental character.

The main result of the project will be the activation of sustainable tourism based on green and smart mobility opportunities in the ADRION area through the engagement of stakeholders and tourists in tourism planning.

The use of a specially developed application will provide the necessary insight into the needs of tourists in terms of accessibility and advanced services in the areas they visit. In addition, stakeholder workshops (roundtables) will reveal real challenges and practical opportunities and opportunities in tourism development while respecting the environment and society as a whole.

II – CUHaCHA

Under the second call of the cross-border program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro, a CUHaCHA project with an approximate amount of € 210,000.00 was approved for funding. The approved projects will start with the implementation at the beginning of 2020, and the main activity is the installation and equipping of the kitchen in the Secondary School “Mladost”, as well as the improvement of the gastro-tourist offer of Tivat.

III – IRENE

The project approved under the Interreg IPA cross-border program Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro entitled “IRENE: Interregional Renewable & Energy efficiency network” began implementation on July 1, 2017 and implemented by December 31, 2019.

The main goal of the IRENE project is to protect and preserve the environment and encourage sustainable use of natural resources in cross-border areas through joint development and networking of local energy management systems in the CBA to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy systems in the public sector.

Within this project, the Municipality of Tivat reconstructed public lighting in the wider city center, and by the end of the project 593 public lamps will be replaced with new LED systems, which will have a positive impact on the environment and significant savings in the city budget. In addition, works were carried out on the installation of solar collectors for heating sanitary water on the roof of the sports hall Župa. The value of these works is 187,760.80 € without VAT.

An additional cross-border value of this project is the development of a common database of projects and enabling the development of new initiatives. Activities to strengthen the capacity of the EE team were implemented, in the form of procurement of professional equipment, and professional training for EE team members was conducted. Detailed energy audits are being prepared for seven buildings owned by the Municipality of Tivat. A device for monitoring electricity consumption has been installed in the hall of the Municipality of Tivat.

The partners in the project, in addition to the Municipality of Tivat, are the Zadar County Development Agency ZADRA NOVA as the leading partner, then the Zadar County, the NGO Eco Center Delfin, the Association for Economic Development REDAH and the City of Mostar.

The total value of the project is € 1,915,820.00, of which the Municipality of Tivat owns € 308,175.00.

IV – “European axis west-east”

Project implemented within: Europe for Citizens Program, Subprogram 2: Democratic engagement and participation in civic initiatives, Measure 2.1: Town twinning

The project was co-financed by “Europe for Citizens of the European Union Program”.

Project value: € 25,000.00.

The aim of the project is to create conditions for lasting cooperation between the cities of Western and Eastern Europe. Within the project, the partners signed a Memorandum of Cooperation which formulates common interests and a desire for cooperation.

Description:

The project enabled the meeting and presentation of cities with different historical, cultural, economic and social models from Western and Eastern Europe, interconnection and exchange of information and experiences, discussion and agreement on joint cooperation based on interests identified through dialogue on generational, cultural, economic and administrative level.

V – FOST INNO

The project entitled “FOST INNO-Fostering tourism innovation system in Adrion Ionian Region” was approved for funding under the transnational program Interreg ADRION.

The aim of the project is to network knowledge with the aim of developing a unique (common) methodology that will enable the creation of new tourism products (high degree of recognition and authenticity for the Adriatic-Ionian region) with an emphasis on creativity and innovation.

Partners in the “FOST INNO” project, in addition to the Municipality of Tivat and the leading partner of the Faculty of Management in Tourism and Hospitality from Opatija, are: the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences in Nova Gorica and the Regional Development Agency Nova Gorica from Slovenia, Perugia Municipality and Molise Region from Italy, Expert Service for Development and International Projects of Zenica-Doboj Canton from Bosnia and Herzegovina and University of Shkodra “Luidj Gurakuci” from Albania. The general goal of the FOST INNO project is to improve the competitiveness of the Adriatic-Ionian area while increasing the innovation capacities of sustainable tourism.

Within the project, the “Center for the transfer of knowledge and innovation in tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian area” was established, which will bring together experts in the field of tourism with the common task of developing innovative tourism products and services. The Center will encourage the application of innovations in tourism and catering by exchanging best practices among partners, local and regional self-government and tourism companies. The document “Strategy for Encouraging Innovation in Sustainable Tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian Region” has been completed, as well as the local Action Plan for the implementation of this strategy.

As part of the implementation of the FOST INNO project, a public call for the selection of the two best innovative ideas that will support and encourage the development of sustainable tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian region was published on the website of the Municipality of Tivat. Three proposers of innovative ideas in tourism applied to the Public Invitation. Reported innovative ideas are:

1. Fall Foliage Viewing
2. Rural Yoga
3. Alternative Accommodation Montenegro

At a recent promotional event, two innovative ideas proposed in Montenegro were presented, as well as the two best innovative piloted ideas at the level of the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Work is currently underway to develop an E-course, which aims to present an innovative process in the field of tourism and produce sustainable solutions through innovation in tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Activities have been started to conduct an analysis of the market in tourism, and the impact of innovative ideas on the same.

The Municipality of Tivat provided € 151,948.00 for the implementation of activities, while the total project budget was € 1,463,923.00. The project started on January 1, 2017, and the plan was to implement it by March 31, 2020.

VI – ReLOaD

Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD)

Project: “Let’s strengthen agriculture – revive the village”, Olive Society “Boka” – Boka Kotorska

The project was implemented by the Olive Society “Boka” on the territory of the municipality of Tivat, in partnership with the NGO “Nada” from Herceg Novi and with the support of the Municipality of Tivat within the Regional Program of Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD).

The reload program is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Program (UNDP). In Montenegro, the ReLOaD program is implemented in partnership with the municipalities of Tivat, Kotor, Nikšić, Pljevlja and Podgorica.

Priority area of ​​the competition: Economic development of the municipality of Tivat

Direct target group: agricultural producers, women, young people up to 35 years, pensioners

Project duration: eight months

Budget: € 16,520.00

VII – OCD

Support to projects of civil society organizations (OCDs) in Montenegro within the project “Rural development led by rural civil society organizations”

Project Name:

“New old olive groves”

Platform for the renewal and development of olive growing as a basis for rural development in Vrmac

Project location: Vrmac – Boka Kotorska

Total project budget: 16,929.54 euros

Name of the project applicant:

Cultural and native association “Napredak” Gornja Lastva

Project goals: General goal: Establishment of a platform for the renewal of olive growing as a basis for rural development through connecting and strengthening the capacity of CSOs and other actors in the pilot area of ​​Vrmac

Specific objective – Strengthening the capacity and potential of CSOs working in the field of rural development in Vrmac by establishing permanent cooperation, in order to educate and improve the legal and institutional framework needed for more effective joint action in the field of olive development policies.

Secretary of the Secretariat for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Petar Vujović and independent project advisor Ivona Petrović, attended the 5th Coordination Meeting of all partners in the project “IRENE – Interregional Renewable & Energy efficiency network”, held on 13 and 14 September 2018 in the premises “Solar Education Center” in Zadar, Republic of Croatia. On this occasion, the activities realized so far were analyzed, with special reference to the pilot project – installation of new lighting systems. Also, the concept of the project’s promotional campaign was discussed, which was presented to the partners, and the project proposals collected so far for the database on the topic of energy efficiency were analyzed.

Project “IRENE” – Inter-regional Renewable & Energy efficiency network, within the Cross-border Cooperation Program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2014-2020, jointly implemented by Zadar County (Republic of Croatia), Eco Center “Dolphin” and the Municipality of Tivat (Black Gora), the Association for Economic Development “Redah” and the City of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and the Zadar County Development Agency “Zadra nova” as the leading partner. The main goal of the project is to protect and preserve the environment and promote sustainable use of natural resources in cross-border areas, through joint development and networking of local energy management systems in the cross-border area to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy systems in the public sector. The total value of the project is € 1,915,820.00. The implementation of the project lasts until December 31, 2019.