In Montenegro, the EU builds schools, homes and farms, invests money in the production of healthy food and improves and modernises healthcare services. It provides support to the complex public administration reform, but also to the unemployed, giving them a chance to start their own businesses. It also helps protect Montenegrin rivers, lakes, forests and meadows, trying to instil European nature protection standards. In addition, it provides young people with the opportunity to study abroad, but also to acquire new knowledge and skills through informal learning. The EU is especially devoted to helping vulnerable groups, and as a result, women, minorities, the LGBT community, young people and people with disabilities today have more rights and better protection thanks to its investments.     

The European Union has been able to achieve all of this partly through the well-known Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), by means of which the European Union helps Montenegro build strong democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law, implement public administration reform, ensure greater respect for human rights, promote gender equality, strengthen civil society, enhance regional cooperation, enable sustainable development and reduce poverty. The aim is to encourage fundamental democratic and economic reforms in the country, so it could better prepare for full membership and functioning within the EU system. At the same time, it closely monitors results in accession negotiations, assisting Montenegro to adopt the EU acquits and be able to implement it effectively. 

In this way, the European Union wants the citizens of Montenegro to experience concrete benefits and progress in their lives already now, not just when the country becomes part of the Union. Here you can read how the EU is making an effort to achieve its goal – through a clear and practical overview of EU projects in 14 different areas. Explore our website and feel free to contact us if you need additional information.