Ulcinj has become the first municipality in Montenegro to officially adopt the Charter on Social Cohesion, as announced by Mayor Gencij Nimanbegu’s office.

This strategic document showcases the local government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and interconnected society, grounded in equality and respect.

“The decision was driven by community input. The development of the Charter was supported by the Local Dialogue Community Drives Change initiative, an inclusive process where Ulcinj residents collaboratively identified their priorities and challenges, alongside potential solutions. This effort was backed by UNDP and the Together for the Common Good program. It is through these innovative cooperation methods that the priorities—ranging from combating discrimination and societal division to enhancing inclusion, public services, and creating a safer, culturally rich, and well-structured city—have been outlined for institutionalization,” the statement explains.

The Charter embodies “our political will to foster a community grounded in trust, solidarity, and equal opportunities for everyone.”

The document adheres to international human rights standards and outlines specific measures aimed at improving health, education, culture, urban infrastructure, and enhancing dialogue between communities, institutional transparency, and civic engagement.

“The implementation of the Charter is already underway through four civic initiatives developed post-Local Dialogue. Dedicated teams from Ulcinj are addressing key challenges identified by citizens, including cultural accessibility, infrastructure deficiencies, and low institutional trust; with support from UNDP and the Municipality of Ulcinj. This has led to the creation of the play ‘Theater for Change,’ an engaging interactive comedy in Albanian that humorously addresses serious issues like gender norms, urbanism, and youth migration. Additionally, the ‘Together We Learn, Together We Grow’ project is revitalizing the idea of an open-air school in the Vladimir settlement, while ‘Heart of Ulcinj’ is adapting playgrounds for children with disabilities to foster inclusion and intergenerational ties. Furthermore, the ‘Tastes of Ulcinj’ initiative promotes traditional cuisine workshops to connect generations, empower women, and preserve local heritage,” the statement continues.

With the adoption of this document, the Municipality of Ulcinj establishes an operational framework that directs the efforts of local government, public institutions, civil society, and citizens towards enhancing trust, inclusivity, and collaborative action. The complete Charter and further information about the program can be accessed on the platform www.opstedobro.me.

The program “Together for the Common Good – Strengthening Citizen Trust and Building Resilient Communities” is executed by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO in collaboration with the Government. It is being implemented in Ulcinj, Bar, Bijelo Polje, Pljevlja, and Podgorica, funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.

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