As part of the ongoing efforts to align the Western Balkans with the European Green Deal, the EU4Green project has reached a significant milestone with the release of the “Monitoring Development Plan for Groundwater in Montenegro.”

This comprehensive roadmap, authored by experts from the Environment Agency Austria, marks a critical step toward ensuring the long-term protection and sustainable management of Montenegro’s vital water resources.

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in Montenegro and a cornerstone of its unique ecosystems. However, to manage these resources effectively and meet the rigorous standards of the EU Water Framework Directive, high-quality, consistent data is essential.

The new Monitoring Development Plan identifies current gaps in the national monitoring network and provides a technical blueprint for modernization. By establishing more precise surveillance and operational monitoring protocols, Montenegro will be better equipped to track water quality, detect pollution trends, and manage the impacts of climate change on its aquifers.

The plan is the result of close cooperation between the Environment Agency Austria and Montenegrin stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. This partnership ensures that the proposed monitoring strategies are tailored to the specific geological and hydrological conditions of the region, while also being grounded in international best practices.

Key recommendations in the plan include:

• Modernizing Infrastructure: Upgrading physical monitoring stations across diverse groundwater bodies.
• Capacity Building: Training local experts in advanced sampling and data analysis techniques.
• Digital Integration: Streamlining data reporting to ensure transparency and better integration with European environmental databases.

As Montenegro continues its path toward EU accession, the implementation of this Monitoring Development Plan will serve as a benchmark for environmental compliance. The EU4Green project remains committed to providing the financial and technical support necessary to turn these plans into reality, fostering a greener, more resilient Western Balkans.

For more information read the whole document here: The Monitoring Development Plan