Montenegro showcases green transition progress
The Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro organised a two-day study tour for media representatives, bringing together a visit to the construction site of the Grabovac Home for the Elderly in Risan and a dedicated energy efficiency workshop in Perast.
The event offered journalists a first-hand account of Montenegro's progress on green transition, including the latest developments under the "Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings in Montenegro" programme, part of Regional Energy Efficiency Programme, funded by KfW and the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
Site Visit: Grabovac Home for the Elderly, Risan
On the first day of the tour, Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović and Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demographics Damir Gutić joined media representatives at the construction site of the new Grabovac Home for the Elderly in Risan.
The new facility, valued at €6.5 million, is being built on the site of the original building from 1973, which was demolished to make way for a modern, energy-efficient structure. Completion is expected by the end of 2026.
The new building will span 3,500 square metres and provide accommodation for 52 residents in 40 single rooms and six two-bed apartments with sea views. It is being developed under the initiative "Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings in Montenegro", co-financed by the German Development Bank (KfW) and the European Union through a combination of loans and grants, with a contribution from the Government of Montenegro. The initiative is part of the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) for the Western Balkans, designed to assist the Western Balkans countries in decarbonising their economies by promoting investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures across residential, public and private sectors.
The facility is designed to deliver annual energy savings of approximately 50% compared to baseline values, with CO₂ emissions projected to fall by around 80% — a significant environmental achievement for a building in the social care sector.
Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović:
"The Grabovac Home for the Elderly is a symbol of our commitment — to our oldest fellow citizens, to environmental protection, to European standards, and to the future we are building together. This is a Montenegro that combines care for people with care for nature — a Montenegro that shows the energy transition is not a cost, but an investment in a better quality of life for all of us."
Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demographics, Damir Gutić:
"Montenegro is demonstrating that care for elderly citizens can go hand in hand with environmental protection and European standards. This project is not merely a construction challenge — it is a concrete realisation of our Social and Child Protection Development Strategy for 2025–2028, which envisages the modernisation of facilities, the development of community services, and the reduction of social exclusion. Social policy and the green transition not only can go together — together they deliver tangible results: warmth, security and dignity for the elderly, and a better, more sustainable future for all."
Srdđan Dragomanović, Director, Grabovac Home for the Elderly:
"Upon completion, the Grabovac Home for the Elderly will be among the leading elderly care institutions in Europe. That is not merely our aspiration — it is our obligation to every resident who has entrusted us with their care, and to every citizen of Montenegro who may one day seek our services."
Stojan Milović, Deputy President of the Municipality of Kotor:
"It is a pleasure to visit, on behalf of the Municipality of Kotor, the construction works on the new Grabovac facility — a project of great significance for our municipality. This investment shows, in the most compelling way, how the joint action of the Government of Montenegro and international partners can deliver projects of essential social value. The Municipality of Kotor strongly supports such initiatives, and we are particularly pleased that this project is being realised in accordance with modern energy efficiency standards, which further confirms our commitment to sustainable development and responsible resource management."
Željko Uljarević, German Development Bank (KfW):
"Montenegro is in the process of European integration and, as such, is a partner to whom Germany pays particular attention. Support for reforms, the rule of law, and alignment with EU legislation are integral parts of our shared agenda. Energy efficiency and the green transition are not merely environmental issues — they are a prerequisite for full EU membership, and in this KfW sees its mission: to be a reliable companion to Montenegro on that path."
Workshop and Media Briefing: Perast
On the second day, the study tour continued in Perast with a dedicated workshop on energy efficiency, bringing together media representatives, ministry officials, and programme experts. The session provided journalists with a comprehensive update on the "Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings in Montenegro" programme, covering progress to date, upcoming investments, and Montenegro's broader trajectory on the green transition.
As part of the workshop, media representatives met informally with Minister Šahmanović over coffee, discussing the programme's achievements and the government's ambitions for the next phase. The minister shared the most up-to-date figures and developments, giving journalists direct access to primary information and the opportunity to ask questions in a more open and informal setting.
The programme currently covers the energy-efficient renovation of 20 selected public buildings totalling 80,000 square metres, predominantly constructed between the 1930s and 1980s. These buildings have long suffered from chronic deficiencies: inefficient heating systems, poor thermal insulation, deteriorating roofs, and outdated windows — all contributing to dampness, excessive energy consumption, and substandard conditions for users. The renovation works address these issues systematically, with the aim of delivering lasting improvements to comfort, safety, and energy performance.
The two-day format was deliberately designed to give media representatives a complete picture: seeing the physical reality of construction on the ground in Risan, then contextualising that experience through expert input and direct ministerial engagement in Perast. The approach reflects the Ministry's commitment to transparent, evidence-based communication of Montenegro's green transition progress.
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About REEP
Launched in 2013 under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) supports renewable energy and energy efficiency investments across the region. With over €1 billion mobilised to date, it has refurbished more than 90 public buildings, supported 1,500 SMEs and 20,000 households. The achieved annual CO₂ emissions saved is equivalent to removing 183,000+ cars from the roads.
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About WBIF and Global Gateway
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) contributes directly to Global Gateway, the EU's strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport, while strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion worldwide in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and financial institutions to leverage investments for a transformational impact.