The results of the population census require a revision of existing strategies, in order to provide more adequate planning guidelines for overcoming the problem of depopulation, said the Minister of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations, Ernad Suljević.
Suljević, as announced by his cabinet, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, which is reflected in the demographic trends in Montenegro, especially in the northern region.
According to census data, almost all municipalities in the northern region recorded a significant decrease in the number of inhabitants, except for Rožaj.
Sulevic indicated that the number of inhabitants in the northern region has decreased by 14,2 percent, which, as he stated, continues the decades-long trend of migration, both to other regions and abroad.
According to him, this situation represents a serious challenge for regional development and the stability of local communities.
Suljević added that the analysis of the performance of the regional development policy until 2020 showed that the measures taken so far failed to effectively solve the problem of depopulation in the northern region.
"With that in mind, the Ministry will additionally analyze the valid Regional Development Strategy, with the aim of drafting amendments that will be implemented at the beginning of next year," announced Suljević.
Those changes, it is added, will be aimed at providing more adequate planning guidelines for overcoming the problem of depopulation.
"Our focus will be on territorial development, with a special emphasis on less developed local governments located in the northern region. We will analyze the development potential of all local governments and prepare guidelines for their better valorization," said Suljević.
He said that the Ministry will also review previous investments in accordance with the regional development policy, which until now were more focused on sustainable and smart growth, while inclusive growth amounted to less than ten percent.
As he added, the Ministry will work on improving the allocation of funds with intensive cooperation with local self-governments.
Suljević said that the decrease in the number of inhabitants in the northern region will inevitably affect the level of development of these municipalities.
"It is expected that the calculation of development, which will be carried out by the department next year in accordance with the Law on Regional Development, will help the Government to focus its attention on supporting less developed local self-governments," the announcement reads.
It is added that this will be one of the main tasks of the Ministry in the future.
"It is the responsibility of all of us to work on improving the living conditions in these communities and to ensure sustainable development for all citizens of Montenegro," said Suljević.
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