Podgorica, 10 June 2019

1.4 million Euros from the Kingdom of Norway for Development of Municipalitis through „Norway for You – Montenegro“

“Norway for You – Montenegro“ project funded by the Kingdom of Norway with 1.4 million Euros for development of the municipalities in Montenegro, implemented by the UNOPS, was presented today in Podgorica. Until the end of 2020, project activities will be focused on more balanced socio-economic development in Montenegro, by increasing employment opportunities, supporting social cohesion and improving local infrastructure in 16 least developed municipalities.

„Employment directly influence the quality of lives of the local population, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is ready to support such initiatives which stimulate the job generation through enhancing business environment. Project “Norway for You” has the added value as it will be implemented through cooperation of the state institutions on the national and local level. We are thankful to the Kingdom of Norway and its Embassy for this initiative which is focused on improvement of the living conditions of the citizens of Montenegro,” the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Kemal Purišić said.

Project “Norway for You – Montenegro” is aligned with the relevant national strategies of Montenegro in the fields of employment and balanced regional development

“Ministry of Economy implements the variety of measures and programmes for improving business competitiveness, and during the preparation of the “Norway for You” we realised that we have the same objectives. We will be a serious partner to the UNOPS and the Kingdom of Norway and I believe that we will have a successful project from which the population of lesser developed municipalities will benefit,” the General Director of the Directorate for Development with the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro Miloš Čelanović said.

Project activities will be implemented in the least developed municipalities of Montenegro - Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Gusinje, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Nikšić, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Rožaje, Šavnik, Ulcinj and Žabljak.

“Some areas of the country are developing faster than others, and new jobs are being created aroung bigger cities. This is the reason why “Norway for You – Montenegro” will support employment in the lesser developed municipalities. Employment makes people able to take care of themselves. And not only the person who gets the employment benefits from it, but also his or her family and the whole community in which they live. We have good partners for the implementation of the project and I believe that the support will be given to the ones who need it the most,” the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro H. E. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad said.

Project is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations supported by its organisations in continuity.

“I am very pleased that UNOPS is launching “Norway for You” project and supports the UN in Montenegro – support the country to fulfil the goals and targets of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Project will target the least developed municipalities in Montenegro and reduce regional disparities in Montenegro, through the sole funding of the people of Norway,” United Nations Resident Coordinator to Montenegro Fiona McCluney stated.

„This project will contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development in Montenegro, which is the UNOPS’ mission: to support people living better lives and for countries to achieve sustainable development. Kingdom of Norway, which whom we have regional cooperation, supported UNOPS to implement this project and dedicating funds to priority issues such as employment,” the UNOPS RSOC Head of Office Michela Telatin said.