How gaming communities in Montenegro are becoming drivers of digital development and education

The vision that Lalić gradi is not just about games. His work is strongly imbued with the idea that gaming can be a tool for education, career development and social networking. “Gamification as an approach to learning is already being applied in American universities through NASEF programs,” says Lalić, who is trying to transfer these models to local situations. The focus of his work is young people – their empowerment through digital skills, teamwork and critical thinking.

With a team of just five enthusiasts – including his wife, son and close friends – Lalić managed to organize the Mimosa Game Fest in Herceg Novi, an event that brought together over 200 visitors and competitors from several cities over two days. Tournaments in FIFA FC 25 and Dota 2, along with panels on e-sports careers, showed that interest in the industry in Montenegro is very much there – and that the community is growing rapidly.

“Being a community manager means being a leader, psychologist, organizer and moderator at the same time. It is not a job you do for the money, but for the love of the community,” says Lalić, who also serves as a certified e-sports referee. It is this role that led him to Montenegro Future Fest, an international conference held in May and gathering participants from over 30 countries. “Through such events, we open Montenegro’s doors to the world – not only as a destination for tourism, but also for digital development,” he says in the podcast.

Lalić's approach to the community is based on objectivity, openness, and a willingness to listen – traits that, he says, he would not have developed if he were not a parent himself. It is precisely this position, of a parent who understands both children and technology, that allows him to lead conversations about digital culture and its impact with authority but also empathy.

In an era where the word community is often an empty phrase, Milan shows every day how a community is built – carefully, with mutual trust and a clear vision. His story is proof that even from small communities it is possible to act globally, if there is the will, knowledge and integrity.

"Good people and good projects can only be slowed down - never stopped," concludes Lalić, relying on the words of a colleague from the region that serve as his motto.