Montenegro has identified 102 environmental infrastructure projects worth an estimated €1.5 billion, covering water supply, wastewater treatment and municipal waste management as the country works towards meeting European Union environmental standards.
The revised national priority list increases the investment pipeline by approximately €690 million compared with the previous programme, which included 79 projects valued at €811.75 million.
The largest proposed investment is the nationwide replacement of asbestos-cement water pipelines, estimated at €586.78 million, representing nearly 40% of the total. Other major projects include a €150 million thermal waste-treatment facility in Podgorica and €75.62 million for wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in the capital.
Financing is expected to involve the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), EU funding instruments and international financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, KfW, Council of Europe Development Bank, French Development Agency and World Bank.
The €1.5 billion represents estimated investment requirements rather than secured financing. Individual projects still require technical preparation, funding arrangements and budget approvals before procurement and construction can proceed.
Major investments are planned across several municipalities. A proposed €32.09 million water-supply project would connect Herceg Novi, Tivat and Kotor to a system supplied by Lake Trebinje. Nikšić has six projects worth approximately €71.5 million, including a €25 million regional waste-management centre. Bijelo Polje has nine projects valued at €62.7 million, while Plav and Gusinje have eight projects totalling €65.4 million.
Ulcinj’s five proposed investments amount to approximately €94.8 million, including a €39.06 million sewerage project in Štoj and a €33.5 million wastewater-treatment facility. The Ministry of Ecology prepared the priority list with support from project implementation units Vodacom and Procon, using an assessment of strategic relevance. Andrijevica, Budva and Šavnik submitted no projects despite extended deadlines.
Implementation will depend on the availability of grants and concessional loans, municipal project readiness and the ability of public institutions to prepare and execute technically complex contracts.
The programme could create business opportunities for engineering companies, construction contractors, environmental technology suppliers and equipment manufacturers. However, even projects receiving international financing may require counterpart funding from central or local budgets, as well as resources to cover future operating costs.
