The Government of Montenegro has adopted, at the proposal of the Ministry of Culture and Media (MKM), the Program for the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage for 2026, which allocates 769.000 euros for co-financing 54 projects, as well as the Report on the Level of Implementation of the Program for 2025.
As stated in the statement, the program for the protection and preservation of cultural assets is a key mechanism by which the state provides financial support for improving the state of cultural assets.
This was announced by the Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, at a session of the Government of Montenegro, presenting these documents.
"The program for the protection and preservation of cultural assets represents one of the key mechanisms through which the Ministry of Culture and Media, or the state, provides support through co-financing to owners and holders of cultural assets, bearers and guardians of intangible cultural heritage, as well as other relevant entities," said Vujović, the MKM announced.
According to her, the ministry added, this way, support is provided for the preservation and maintenance of cultural assets, as well as the presentation and promotion of the exceptional values of Montenegro's rich and diverse cultural heritage.
"769.000 euros have been allocated for the 2026 Program," announced Vujović.
She reminded that in accordance with Article 128 of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Property, the Ministry of Culture and Media has prepared this year's Protection Program.
"The program plans to co-finance 54 projects, totaling 769.000 euros, as follows: 15 archaeological and conservation research projects, worth 227.000 euros; 28 projects for the preparation of conservation documentation and the implementation of conservation measures, worth 450.000 euros; 11 projects for the popularization and presentation of cultural heritage, worth 92.000 euros," said Vujović.
She recalled that prior to the preparation of the Program, the Ministry of Culture and Media, for the third year in a row, on February 3, 2026, published a Public Call for interested parties, with a special focus on owners and holders of cultural assets, to submit proposals for projects and programs that could be included in the Program.
"More than 100 proposals were submitted to the public call. The Directorate for Cultural Heritage and the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property analyzed them from the aspect of justification, compliance with the operational objectives of the Program, existing documentation of the Ministry and the Administration, the condition of cultural property and the urgency of planned interventions. Based on the analysis conducted, a list of projects and programs was prepared, of which a significant number were included in the Program for 2026. Priority was given to cultural property that requires urgent conservation treatment, as well as the continuation of activities that have already begun," concluded Vujović.
After the adoption of the Program, the Ministry of Culture and Media will announce a public competition for the implementation of 54 projects and programs.
At the proposal of the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Government adopted the Report on the Implementation of the 2025 Program, through which 64 projects were supported.
"The program for the protection and preservation of cultural assets for 2025 included 65 projects, with a total value of 929.000 euros, and after the competition, 64 projects that met the prescribed conditions and criteria were supported, in a total amount of 917.000 euros," said Vujović.
She said that the Directorate for Cultural Heritage continuously monitors the implementation of supported projects.
"Given their complexity, the contracts stipulate that the implementation of some activities will continue during 2026, while the beneficiaries of the funds are required to submit final reports, with financial indicators and photo documentation, to the Ministry in the fourth quarter of this year," said Vujović.
According to preliminary reports from implementers, out of a total of 64 supported projects, 15 have been completed, while 49 projects are in the implementation phase.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
