LocationsJust transition in Pljevlja: Social dialogue and unlocking potential
October 20, 2023
Partnership, mutual trust, and open dialogue about the development vision of the municipality of Pljevlja are the most promising paths toward creating better opportunities for the entire local community. This was highlighted during a dialogue that brought together representatives of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, the UNDP, the Municipality of Pljevlja, business community representatives, civil society organizations, educational and cultural institutions, as well as local residents.
The National Council for Sustainable Development of Montenegro, with the support of UNDP, initiated a comprehensive social dialogue on the topic of a just energy transition earlier this year. This involves timely planning processes that prioritize people’s needs, human capital development, and indispensable support for economic diversification in the Pljevlja coal region.
The ongoing dialogue, both at the local and national levels, about the challenges and opportunities for development of Pljevlja, has also initiated considerations for investments that foster sustainable economic growth and community development, in addition to initiatives that facilitate a just energy transition. The aim is to establish a favourable environment for all Pljevlja residents, with a specific focus on the youth – to enable them to pursue personal development opportunities within their hometown.
In contribution to this dialogue, UNDP in Montenegro organized a visit to Pljevlja and conducted a series of meetings with stakeholders, aimed at fostering collaboration and continuing open discussions about opportunities and potential future initiatives for Pljevlja’s sustainable green development.
Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, emphasized that conversations about transition fundamentally revolve around developing human potential, shaping the future for upcoming generations, and fostering sustainable and inclusive development.
“Citizens of Pljevlja actively engage in the dialogue, and their perspectives and needs are the primary guiding force in shaping the roadmap for a just transition. This process involves channelling potential and resources toward solutions that will invest in human capital development in Pljevlja, diversify the economy, establish strong labor market support programs, invest in education and workforce development, and promote entrepreneurship. Most importantly, it encourages young people to be the drivers of change in their city. Pljevlja’s potential becomes evident through the innovative and creative ideas and solutions developed by its residents, such as the ‘Science Engineering School’ organized by a group of young enthusiasts from the NGO ‘KSAN’, which has been promoting innovation and science among young people for four years”Paniklova stated.
The President of the Municipality of Pljevlja, Dario Vraneš, expressed his gratitude to international partners for their support in collectively shaping the vision for the development direction of Pljevlja.
“The topic of just transition and the need for its just implementation have brought us all together around the same goal, which is, in fact, the development strategy of our municipality. This objective revolves around establishing an environment where all our residents can tap into their potential, lead fulfilling, healthy lives, and freely choose Pljevlja as their place of living. This requires willingness, readiness for collaboration, and investments, and I am thankful to our international partners for their support to initiate dialogues on this matter. I am particularly pleased that in this complex process, we have witnessing stronger and more substantial support from our creative and innovative citizens, who are keen to contribute to our mutual aspiration clearer and more robust support from our creative and innovative fellow citizens, who are ready to contribute to our common goal”Vraneš stated.
“It was my pleasure to discuss possibilities of the city’s further development with Pljevlja Mayor and representatives of the local community. Pljevlja is a city of rich history and culture, and great economic potential, which should be used in order for the community leaning predominantly on Coal Mine and Thermal Power Plant, to unlock its capacities. Thus, just energy transition will be not only this community's obligation, but an incentive for its new progress as well”Yngve Engstrom, the Head of the Cooperation Sector at the European Union Delegation to Montenegro, said.
