The establishment of the Natura 2000 network represents one of Montenegro’s key obligations in the EU accession process under Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. As a cornerstone of nature conservation in the EU, Natura 2000 plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and in aligning national systems with the European acquis.
In this context, EPTISA Southeast Europe, as the consortium leader, is implementing the project “Support to the Establishment of the Natura 2000 Network for Montenegro”, funded by the European Union. The project is implemented in close cooperation with national institutions, with the aim of strengthening administrative and technical capacities for the identification, preparation, and establishment of these protected areas. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the establishment of the Natura 2000 / Emerald network, as well as to support the Government of Montenegro in strengthening the institutional framework in line with the EU Birds Directive and the EU Habitats Directive.
Through its activities, EPTISA provides expert and technical support in the process of identifying areas of importance for the protection of birds, habitat types, and species.
In September 2025, the scope of activities was expanded to include the marine component, initiating the identification and assessment of potential marine Natura 2000 sites. With this expansion, our project contributes to a comprehensive approach to nature protection that integrates terrestrial and marine ecosystems into a unified management framework.
Additionally, in June 2026, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Information on the Proposal of the Ecological Network of Protected Areas (Natura 2000) in Montenegro, confirming significant institutional progress in this process. This adoption was preceded by a series of public consultations successfully conducted during April and May 2026, ensuring inclusiveness and participation of the interested public.
In addition to technical support, EPTISA is also committed to raising awareness about the importance and benefits of the Natura 2000 network. To bring the importance of conserving these areas closer to the general public, a promotional video has been produced and can be viewed via this link.
Through the implementation of this project, EPTISA directly contributes to strengthening Montenegro’s capacity to apply European standards in the field of nature protection and to enhancing biodiversity management systems.