Sanja Damjanović, a scientist and former Minister of Sciences, states that the opening of the International Institute for Sustainable Technology in Southeast Europe (SEEIIST) could have saved at least five lives from cancer—victims included children, pregnant women, and young people who currently lack access to such treatment.

In an interview with the weekly monitor, she highlighted that the SEEIIST project aims to save lives while rapidly advancing the economy and society, creating opportunities for the youth.

“Its dual mission encompasses 50 percent patient treatment via Hadron therapy and 50 percent dedicated to research,” Damjanović explained. She initiated the SEEIIST project in 2017, envisioning an Institute whose core would be based in Montenegro.

She mentioned that the project is fully prepared, with available funding from EU sources, but Montenegro is still in the process of finalizing it.

According to Montenegro’s reform agenda for 2024-2027, the SEEIIST project was expected to be adopted by the government by the end of last year.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation informed Forbes Montenegro that SEEIIST is classified among international agreements, which establish the necessary legal and financial frameworks for constructing such infrastructure, requiring engagement from all partner countries and planned financing from international sources.

“Thus, any unilateral actions by one country in this partnership are not a viable approach for the implementation of this infrastructure project, nor for advancing to its next phase,” stated the Ministry.

Only four such centers exist in Europe; there are only 13 worldwide

Damjanović emphasized that cancer is currently the second leading cause of mortality globally, resulting in 10 million deaths each year, including half a million children.

“There are merely four such centers in Europe. The costs for patients from Montenegro and the surrounding region are generally manageable for international patients, utilizing methods that target tumors precisely while preserving surrounding healthy tissues (e.g., carbon ions),” Damjanović clarified.

This approach is particularly effective for tumors located near sensitive organs, showing significantly improved outcomes—ranging from 80% to 100% among youth, compared to just 10-20% in traditional radiotherapy.

Damjanović articulated that SEEIIST represents the only major economic and technological project ready to transition into the construction phase, with an investment estimated at €250 million, of which approximately €200 million could be sourced from EU funds, equating to 80% of the total project value.

“The substantial participation of European funds is a testament to the project’s significance at the European level: Most investments will be directed through the European industry, which seldom exceeds 10-15 percent; thus, SEEIIST stands out as a unique opportunity that Montenegro must seize,” she asserted.

Such projects need direct oversight from the Prime Minister’s Cabinet

When asked why Montenegro has missed this opportunity thus far, Damjanović suggested that it isn’t due to technical or financial constraints, but rather political obstacles. She pointed to a lack of political leadership and coordination as the underlying cause.

She noted that prior to 2021, Montenegro had a clear political framework and support for strategic projects like SEEIIST. However, she indicated that since then, there has been a loss of political coherence and an absence of ongoing strategic leadership vital for projects of this magnitude and importance.

“While there is a declared will and support, it is essential to systematically monitor, promote, and integrate this project into all significant contexts, particularly in the framework of EU leadership,” Damjanović opined.

She cautioned that without a clear political focus and centralized accountability, SEEIIST, despite being technically feasible, remains politically overlooked at a time when progress is crucial—not just for Montenegro but for the entire region.

SEEIIST is not merely a health initiative; it represents an entire industrial city

According to Damjanović, SEEIIST extends beyond just a health project; it embodies the concept of a complete industrial city.

“We frequently hear the term ‘smart city,’ which cannot exist without a robust technological infrastructure. Its realization will involve approximately 600 companies within today’s economy, reestablishing regional cooperation and European integration while ultimately saving lives,” Damjanović remarked.

For young people, SEEIIST signifies more than just financial support in the form of grants or scholarships; it represents the infrastructure they can utilize, ensuring they have the means to remain in Montenegro and thrive through their knowledge, creativity, and hard work.

“The business plan outlines salaries ranging from €4,000 to €7,000, positioning the project as a magnet for high-tech and international innovation in fields such as medicine, engineering, IT, biomedicine, physics, and artificial intelligence; it aims to attract young people back from abroad under conditions and challenges not previously existent in Montenegro alongside a boost in competitiveness of Montenegrin teams, while about 600 European companies will participate in the Center’s construction—a level of international collaboration never achieved before,” she concluded.

In this context, SEEIIST positions Montenegro as a leader in the region and a key player on the European scientific and technological map.

“This is a project that will make a significant difference—not just in the economy but in societal mindset,” Damjanović affirmed.