Major Clean-Up Action Along the Budva–Cetinje–Podgorica Route

A major environmental clean-up and landscaping action has been carried out along the key Budva–Cetinje–Podgorica road corridor as part of the national campaign “Čuvaj da te čuva”, implemented by the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro in cooperation with state and local institutions, municipalities, civil society organisations, the private sector, and volunteers.

The initiative aims to address illegal roadside waste disposal, improve environmental conditions along one of the country’s most important transit routes, and prepare key transport corridors ahead of the tourist season.

The programme began in Budva, where the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, the President of the Municipality of Budva, Nikola Jovanović, representatives of the Budva Public Utilities Company, Young European Ambassadors, and local activists visited a viewpoint where waste accumulation had been recorded. At that location, in cooperation with the initiative “Let’s Green Montenegro”, benches, waste bins, and educational warning signage were installed, alongside a clean-up operation.

This was followed by a visit to the Brajići landfill site, where discussions focused on challenges in waste management and long-term solutions.

Copyright: Evropska kuća

The campaign then continued in Cetinje, where Ambassador Sattler and the Mayor of Cetinje, Nikola Đurašković, together with Young European Ambassadors, members of the Mountaineering Association of Montenegro, and representatives of the Faculty for Montenegrin Language and Culture (FCJK), took part in cleaning and landscaping several locations along the route. At multiple sites, with the support of the “Let’s Green Montenegro” initiative, waste bins, benches, and warning signage were installed, while illegal dumping sites were removed.

Ambassador Sattler emphasised that 2026 is an important year for Montenegro.

“It is the year in which Montenegro aims to conclude accession negotiations with the European Union. It is also a year in which you will be in the European spotlight. Major summits and meetings will be held here, including one in three weeks, not far from here in Tivat, where all 27 Member States will gather at the highest level – prime ministers and presidents. Therefore, it is only natural that, as hosts, you ‘prepare the stage’, especially those areas your guests will see. And this is one of the busiest roads in Montenegro, stretching from Budva through Cetinje to Podgorica, used by thousands of your citizens.

Removing waste from locations such as these is important, but it is not enough – signs, waste bins, and even cameras at certain critical locations are also necessary.

“I am pleased and grateful that such a large number of participants are here today. This is becoming a genuine movement in Montenegro – activists, the NGO sector, as well as people like Vuk from ‘Let’s Green Montenegro’ and other environmental leaders from Budva are all involved,” said Ambassador Sattler.

Copyright: Evropska kuća

Jovanović stressed that the Municipality of Budva is very pleased to participate in this campaign, which aims to raise awareness of environmental protection and preserve space for future generations. 

“I believe that a clean environment, care for nature, and raising awareness about recycling and selective waste disposal should be our main messages. If we behave in this manner, then we can expect our valued guests to behave likewise. In other words, if we do not take care of our environment, we cannot expect anyone else to do so either. That is why we are very pleased to have the opportunity to highlight all the critical points located within our territory. We are aware of the problems and the significant pressure caused by non-selective waste disposal. In the coming period, our focus will particularly be on sanctioning those who make our environment untidy,” said Jovanović.

The Mayor of Cetinje, Nikola Đurašković, pointed out that the “Čuvaj da te čuva” campaign is already contributing to presenting a more attractive image of Montenegro.

“I am pleased that the Royal Capital of Cetinje is concretely involved in this campaign. Naturally, we also carry an additional responsibility, as this is the historic capital of the state and a city whose territory includes two national parks that represent exceptional environmental wealth for Montenegro. I hope that in the coming period, both at the local level through partnerships among all stakeholders within the local community, and through inter-municipal cooperation, cooperation with state institutions, and the Delegation of the European Union, we will continue this campaign, as well as other similar initiatives, with the goal of creating a much healthier and cleaner environment in which to live,” Đurašković stated.

He emphasised that Cetinje is fully prepared for the tourist season, both through ad hoc initiatives such as this and through the continuous work of municipal services.

“I believe that through actions such as these we should send the message that every day, at every level and in every place, we must take care of the environment, and that these activities should grow into a genuine movement with continuity, through which we will demonstrate how important the environment is to us on a daily basis,” Đurašković stressed.

Civil activist and eco-ambassador Anđa Budimir stated that the location where they were standing now looks drastically different from how it appeared at the end of November, when she launched a small social media campaign to improve the area.

“As for the ‘Čuvaj da te čuva’ platform, it has greatly helped me in reporting specific locations, dumping sites, and environmental devastation. The only thing I would add is that we could expand the campaign in order to stop illegal construction as well, and in that way further contribute to preserving the environment and areas that are extremely important both to us and to Europe, including areas currently proposed for Natura 2000 status, areas intended to become part of the Emerald Network, as well as all other European networks that Montenegro aspires to join,” said Budimir.

The programme concluded in Podgorica, where a smaller clean-up operation was carried out near the karting centre, in cooperation with the city’s public utilities company and environmental activists.

The campaign serves as an example of joint action by institutions, local authorities, and citizens aimed at reducing pollution and improving waste management along Montenegro’s main transport corridors.

The initiative also relies on the interactive platform www.crnetacke.com, which maps illegal dumping sites and helps municipal services plan and implement clean-up actions more efficiently.