The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has allocated 20.3 million euros to enhance the Montenegrin education sector, aiming to renovate and modernize numerous schools. This initiative is expected to simultaneously create new investments that will foster youth employment and contribute to the sustainability of Montenegro’s economy, according to EIB Vice President Robert de Groot.

In early July, De Groot formalized an agreement in Luxembourg, worth EUR 20.3 million, with Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, and Deputy Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Kirstine Damkjaer, to advance the educational landscape in Montenegro.

The financial package comprises 18 million euros in loans and 2.3 million euros in grants designated for UNOPS to facilitate technical assistance.

De Groot mentioned in an interview with the MINA agency that the newly secured funds would enhance infrastructure and learning conditions in 13 educational institutions across the country.

He added that more than 500 primary and secondary schools in Montenegro will receive modern digital equipment and tools to cultivate technologically advanced classrooms. The new investments are projected to expand capacity by 1,700 student places over the next two years.

“Additionally, over 11,500 students will benefit from improved learning conditions, while opportunities for 530 full-time teaching positions will be created, significantly strengthening the country’s education system,” highlighted De Groot.

He expressed that the 2.3 million euro grant will enable UNOPS to evaluate the current educational infrastructure and prepare essential investment projects, aiding the Ministry in making timely improvement decisions.

“These initiatives will also help align academic qualifications with labor market requirements, addressing the current skills mismatch,” De Groot stated.

This alignment is expected to enhance youth employment, increase productivity, and bolster the competitiveness of the Montenegrin economy.

“We are optimistic that this will establish a foundation for the development of impactful projects that will benefit both school and university communities, alongside the broader economy,” De Groot remarked, noting the consistency of these initiatives with EIB Global’s objectives and the European Union’s (EU) Reform and Growth Instrument.

De Groot pointed out that as an EU bank owned by member states, EIB Global has collaborated within the “Team Europe” initiative to present a comprehensive support package for modernizing Montenegro’s education system. This strategy blends loans, EU grants, and technical assistance for effectively preparing and implementing strategic educational projects.

Following the agreements signed in Luxembourg, EIB Global’s investments in the Montenegrin education sector have now exceeded 55 million euros, which includes 11 million euros in grants from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and nearly eight million euros from the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative.

De Groot noted that educational infrastructure across Europe is frequently overlooked due to inadequate investment, which results in subpar education quality and contributes to youth unemployment and a disconnect between skills and market needs, ultimately hindering economic growth. However, he expressed satisfaction with the positive developments already witnessed in Montenegro.

“With a productive partnership alongside the Montenegrin Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, we can effectively utilize the available funds for targeted support where it is needed most. There is significant progress across the country, with many schools undergoing renovations,” De Groot emphasized.

He cited the newly established “Vladimir Nazor” school in Podgorica as a model, which offers a contemporary learning environment for over a thousand students, featuring 29 fully equipped classrooms, a laboratory, a gymnasium, and a multimedia hall.

“This school sets a new benchmark for educational infrastructure in Montenegro. It will provide students with equal opportunities to learn and progress according to the highest standards available. Additionally, the building is designed to consume 20 percent less energy and water than comparable facilities, creating a new model for energy efficiency in public buildings,” De Groot added.

He observed visible progress in the digitalization of schools in Montenegro and highlighted that EIB Global signed a grant agreement in April to support the procurement of tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and other digital tools for schools.

“We anticipate that this new equipment and enhanced digital skills will lead to greater expertise among students and teachers, ensuring equal opportunities for future employment and lifelong learning,” De Groot stated, reaffirming EIB Global’s commitment to supporting economically sustainable and technically viable educational projects.

While discussing plans to enhance operations in Montenegro, De Groot mentioned that alongside the loan agreement, he also signed a Host Country Agreement with Vuković.

This agreement, he indicated, formalizes EIB Global’s robust support for Montenegro through various projects undertaken over the years, amounting to over 1.1 billion euros in total value.

According to him, these achievements aim to reinforce the country’s economic resilience and aid its path towards EU integration, focusing on connectivity, sustainable development, and climate objectives, in line with the new Growth Plan.

“The EIB is prepared to support Montenegro and its citizens in these efforts, through several projects currently in the preparatory stage,” concluded De Groot.

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