A total of 716.645,76 euros were allocated for religious communities in 15 Montenegrin municipalities. The most generous was the local government in Nikšić with 186.881 euros, followed by Plužine, which spent 143.423,25 euros for these purposes. The Herceg Novi municipality gave over 100.000 euros, while religious communities collected the least in the municipalities of Zeta, Pljevlja and Cetinje.
During 2025, the municipality of Andrijevica approved a total of 6.100 euros in aid to religious communities from the current budget reserve, according to decisions submitted in response to a request for free access to information.
According to this documentation, the largest single payment was recorded on November 19, 2025, when the Church Municipality of Andrijevica was granted 5.000 euros for the renovation of the temple in Knjaževac.
Bar: 20.000 euros for the Cathedral
The Municipality of Bar paid a total of 60.000 euros from the budget to religious communities during 2025. The funds were received by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, the Mešihat of the Islamic Religious Community in Montenegro, and the Archbishopric of Bar, while several other religious communities stated that there were no payments from the budget during that period.
According to the analytical cards submitted with the decision, the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral was paid 20.000 euros. The document states that the money was approved on December 29, 2025, and the purpose of the payment is listed as "contribution for the maintenance and renovation of the Cathedral complex."
The Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bar was paid 15.000 euros, pursuant to the approval of December 26, 2025, with the payment date of December 29, 2025. The description of the payment states that it is a contribution for regular activities and work programs.
Another 5.000 euros were paid to the Islamic Community Council of Ostros. As in the previous case, the documentation states that the money is intended for regular activities and work programs.
20.000 euros were paid to the Archbishopric of Bar, and the analytical card states that the purpose was "a contribution to the maintenance and decoration of a religious building."
The Serbian Orthodox Parish of Gornjopolimsko-Gusinjska was granted 200 euros to attend an Orthodox youth indoor football tournament, while the Draganac Monastery of Kosovo and Metohija was paid 500 euros for a donation evening dedicated to the spiritual center of the Kosovsko Pomoravlje region.
The documentation also shows that the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Šavnik was awarded 300 euros for the renovation of the church, and the Serbian Orthodox Church - Parish of Rožaje was awarded 1.586,54 euros for the purchase of building materials for the construction of the facade of the chapel in Radeva Mala, in Rožaje.
Among the larger payments from the reserve are 5.000 euros for the Committee for the Construction of the Church of Saint Archdeacon Stefan in Bogaje near Rožaje, as well as another 5.000 euros for the Serbian Orthodox Seminary "Saint Peter of Cetinje" in Cetinje, for the purchase of new equipment for the prefabricated building that houses the kitchen, dining room, and student recreation room.
57.000 euros for the construction of a temple in Berane
The Municipality of Berane paid a total of 73.586,54 euros from the budget and current budget reserves to religious communities, church municipalities and organizations associated with religious buildings in 2025, according to documentation from the Secretariat for Finance and Economic Development submitted in response to a request for free access to information. A review of the general ledger recorded 57.000 euros from a special budget item for the construction of a temple in Berane, the Islamic Community and other religious communities, while another 16.586,54 euros were paid from the current budget reserve.
According to the documentation, the largest single payment was 50.000 euros to the Committee for the Construction of the Cathedral Church of Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Bearer in Berane. The conclusion of the Mayor states that this was a payment of funds earmarked in the budget for the construction of the church.
The second payment from the same budget item refers to the Islamic Community of Berane, which was granted 7.000 euros for the payment of allocated funds foreseen in the 2025 budget.
In addition, eight more payments to religious communities and church organizations were recorded from the current budget reserve. The Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Berane was allocated 3.000 euros for organizing the St. Sava Academy, and the same church municipality was later paid another 1.000 euros for organizing the central celebration on the occasion of the Diocese's feast day.
Bijelo Polje: Most of the money goes to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Islamic Community
The Municipality of Bijelo Polje paid a total of 39.500 euros from the budget item for religious organizations in 2025. The records of paid orders list 13 individual payments, and the largest portion of the money was directed to the Islamic Community in Bijelo Polje and the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Bijelo Polje.
The largest single payment was recorded on July 11, 2025, when the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Bijelo Polje was paid 10.000 euros for the maintenance and renovation of the premises of the Temple of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
Among the largest payments were 6.000 euros paid to the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bijelo Polje for the construction of the Islamic Center in Lipnica, as well as two separate payments of 5.000 euros each - one for the Ramadan activities of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bijelo Polje, and the other for the promotion of Islamic culture and tradition. Another 5.000 euros were paid at the end of December to the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Bijelo Polje for the maintenance and decoration of the premises of the Temple of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
The documentation shows that money was also allocated for the construction and renovation of religious buildings. Thus, 2.000 euros were paid to the Committee for the Construction of the Parish House in Rasovo, 1.500 euros to the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Bijelo Polje for the renovation of the endowment house in Sutivan, while 1.000 euros each were given to the Monastery of the Holy Prophet Elijah - Zlates in Tomaševo, the Džemat Potkrajci, the Džemat Nedakusi and the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksić. 500 euros each were paid to the Committee for the Construction of the Temple of the Holy Prophet Elijah on Bjelasica, the Džemat Kukulje and the Church on Vlahu.
Danilovgrad: 20.000 euros for St. Petka
During 2025, the municipality of Danilovgrad paid a total of 20.300 euros from the budget to religious communities, according to documentation from the Secretariat for Finance and Budget submitted in response to a request for free access to information.
The largest individual payments were recorded on July 23 and October 23, 2025, when 10.000 euros were paid to the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral - Church Municipality of Danilovgrad for assistance in the construction of the Church of St. Petka in Danilovgrad. Together, these two payments make up 20.000 euros, or almost the entire amount allocated for religious communities in the documentation for 2025. The conclusions of the Mayor state that this is financial assistance for the construction of the temple, while the paid orders state the purpose of the transfer as "transfer of funds to assist in the construction of the temple of St. Petka".
In addition, the document also records a smaller payment of 300 euros to the Orthodox Church Municipality of Danilovgrad, approved on January 22, 2025, for the organization of the St. Sava Academy in Danilovgrad. This payment was recorded under the item “other transfers to individuals – sponsorships”.
Herceg Novi: Money for "Delije" too
The Municipality of Herceg Novi allocated a total of 107.392 euros for religious communities in 2025, according to documents submitted in response to a request for free access to information. The analytical card for the budget item "Expenditures for religious communities" records 18 payments to various church municipalities, monasteries, parishes and foundations.
The largest individual payments were 15.000 euros each. One was paid to the Savina Monastery for the renovation of the monastery, and the other to the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Topaljsko-Hercegovinska for co-financing the event "Trg od cirilice". The documentation also shows that the Savina Monastery had previously been approved for three more payments - 5.000, 10.000 and 10.000 euros - also for renovation, then 7.000 euros for the Church Board of the Church of St. Nicholas in Kruševice for the renovation of the church, as well as 6.000 and 5.000 euros each for the SPCO "Stari grad", i.e. for January spiritual programs and other activities. The Church Municipality of Kumbor also received 5.000 euros each for the reconstruction of the chapel, the Delije Foundation for the organization of the concert "Herceg Novi for our Kosovo and Metohija", as well as the Church Municipality of Bijela for the renovation of the road and other works.
The documents also record smaller payments, including 4.800 euros to the Church Municipality of Bijela, 4.600 euros to the SPCO “Stari Grad”, 4.500 euros to the SPCO of Topaljsko-Hercegnovska, 4.000 euros to the Serbian Orthodox Parish of Kučanska, 2.357 euros to the same parish for the celebration of Trinity Day, 2.000 euros to the Archpriest-stavrophor Obren Jovanović, 1.135 euros to the Savina Monastery and 1.000 euros to the SPCO “Stari Grad”.
Kolašin: All payments to the Church Municipality
According to the documentation submitted in response to a request for free access to information, the Municipality of Kolašin allocated a total of 13.952 euros for religious communities in the period from the beginning of 2025 to December 1, 2025. The documents contained in the document show that all recorded payments were approved The Church Municipality of Kolašin, or rather the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral/Church Municipality of Kolašin.
The largest single payment was recorded on January 13, 2025, when The Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral/Church Municipality of Kolašin has been granted 3.500 euros for the organization of the St. Sava Academy. The conclusion of the President of the Municipal Assembly states that the funds were paid from the transfer position to the Church Municipality of Kolašin for this purpose.
Among the largest payments is 3.252 euros, approved on October 30, 2025, to the Church Municipality of Kolašin to cover part of the costs of organizing the raising of the memorials to the metropolitan AmphilochiaIn addition, on August 8, 2025, another 3.000 euros were approved for the renovation of the church in Trebaljevo, while on January 21, 2025, 2.800 euros were paid for the renovation of the gate of the Church of St. Dimitrije.
The documentation also records smaller payments: 1.200 euros for the repair of the roof of the Ćirilovac monastery, as well as 200 euros for the renovation of the church in Crkvine. All these conclusions are contained in the submitted documents of the Municipality of Kolašin.
Mojkovac: 5.000 euros for the renovation of the water fountain
The municipality of Mojkovac allocated a total of 6.500 euros for religious communities and religious buildings in 2025, according to documents submitted in response to a request for free access to information. The decision of the Office of the President states that the municipality submitted documents relating to payments to the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic, while there were no payments for several other religious communities in the requested period. The annex to the decision shows two more decisions of the Secretariat for Urban Planning relating to the financing of works on religious buildings in Mojkovac.
The largest single payment was recorded on December 24, 2025, when the Church Municipality of Mojkovac was granted 5.000 euros for the renovation of the fountain in the churchyard, the construction of a candle burning room, and the preparation of a study for the legalization of the facilities. The decision states that the funds were provided from the budget line for the maintenance of religious buildings and cultural and historical monuments.
Nikšić: 35.000 euros for the parish home in Grahovo
Municipality of Nikšić allocated a total of 186.881 euros for religious communities during 2025, according to documents from the Secretariat for Finance, Development and Entrepreneurship submitted upon a request for free access to information.
The largest single payment from the documentation is 35.000 euros and was approved to the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Grahovo for work on the parish house at the Temple of Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker of Myriklia.
Among the largest payments are two payments from the very end of the year: 27.000 euros for the Diocese of Budimljansko-Niksic and 25.000 euros for the Church Municipality of Nikšić - Parochial Home in Ozrinići. Another large payment of 20.000 euros was approved for the Diocese of Budimljansko-Niksic/Church Municipality of Nikšić.
The group of larger allocations also includes two separate payments of 10.000 euros each - one to the Church Board of the Church of St. Dimitrije in Bršno for the construction of a plateau in front of the church and a cemetery fence, and the other to the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic for the construction of a parish house in Ozrinići. The documentation also records a payment of 7.000 euros to the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Banjana for work on the Temple in Muževice.
Money was also paid to other religious entities and organizations during the year, including the Bijela Monastery, the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, the Hajji Ismail Mosque in Nikšić, the Monastery of St. Luke, the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Gacko, as well as several church municipalities and parishes. An overview of the payments shows that the funds were allocated for the renovation and construction of religious buildings, the organization of religious events, and other needs of religious life.
Podgorica: All money for the Islamic Community Museum
The capital city of Podgorica allocated a total of 19.807 euros from its budget for religious communities in 2025, according to documentation from the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis submitted in response to a request for free access to information. The submitted material records one payment, from the current budget reserve, approved to the Meshihat of the Islamic Community in Montenegro.
According to the mayor's conclusion, Mešihat was approved with 19.807 euros for the implementation of rehabilitation and adaptation works on a residential building in the Drač settlement in Podgorica, which is planned as the future Museum of the Islamic Community in Montenegro. The document states that the funds relate to the offer of the company HRF doo from Bijelo Polje, and the money was approved from the budget of the Capital City - current budget reserve.
The accompanying documentation shows that the Islamic Community initially requested 60.000 euros from the Capital City for urgent renovation and rehabilitation work on the house in Durres, stating that the building was in poor condition and at risk of further deterioration. However, a smaller amount was approved, equal to the contractor's certified bid.
Pljevlja: Money for Šavnik too
The Municipality of Pljevlja allocated a total of 5.203,97 euros for religious communities in 2025, according to documents submitted in response to a request for free access to information. The documentation records payments to the Serbian Orthodox Parish of Rožaj, the Church of Saint George in Šavnik, the Church Committee at the Temple of the Holy Hieromartyr Athenogenes in Vuči Do, and the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Pljevlja.
The largest single payment was approved to the Islamic Community in Montenegro - the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Pljevlja, which was awarded 1.051,40 euros for the costs of organizing a religious ceremony in the village of Rosulje, adapting and technical maintenance of the Islamic Community's facilities for six months, and purchasing the newsletter "Preporod".
Plužine: 100.000 euros for the temple
During 2025, the Municipality of Plužine allocated a total of 143.423,25 euros for religious communities, church municipalities, monasteries and committees for the construction of temples, according to analytical cards and orders submitted with the decision of the Secretariat for Finance, Economy and Local Public Revenues.
The largest individual payments were two payments of 50.000 euros each to the Church Construction Committee. The first was recorded on 22 August 2025 for the renovation of the Church of St. Makarije Sokolović, and the second on 9 December 2025 in support of works on the inner fence, the staircase from the church to the crypt, and works at the parish house.
Among the largest payouts is 8.300 euros for the Piva Monastery - Plužine, approved on 24 October 2025 for the construction of an auxiliary building at the Church of the Most Reverend Paisius the Holy Mountain in Doli. The Committee for the Construction of the Temple of Saint Sava also received 5.000 euros for the construction of the temple in Žabljak, while 4.400 euros were paid to the Piva Monastery for the purchase of pellets and the Eparchy of Budimlje-Niksic for the purchase of pellets for the Zagrade Monastery.
The documentation also shows several smaller payments to the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Plužine, the Eparchy of Budimlje-Niksic, the Church Municipality of Nikšić, the Church Municipality of Šavnik and other recipients, for the organization of religious ceremonies, the purchase of materials, the renovation of churches and assistance to monasteries.
Tivat: Most payments to the Episcopal Ordinariate
The Municipality of Tivat allocated a total of 27.000 euros for religious communities and religious buildings in 2025, according to documents from the Secretariat for Finance submitted in response to a request for free access to information. The annexes to the decision record payments to the Episcopal Ordinariate of Kotor, the Islamic Community for the Bay of Kotor and Budva – Tivat, the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, and the Diocese of Budimlje and Nikšić.
The largest single payment was recorded on September 24, 2025, when 10.000 euros were paid to the Islamic Community for Boka Kotorska and Budva - Tivat from the current budget reserve.
Right behind it is a total of 11.000 euros that Tivat paid during the year. To the Episcopal Ordinariate of Kotor through three separate payments from the budget line "Assistance to institutions and organizations".
The first payment of 1.000 euros was recorded on April 2, 2025 as financial assistance for the Parish of St. Peter Bogdašići, the second of 9.000 euros was approved at the end of July for the repair of the retaining wall at the cemetery of St. Simon, while the third payment of 1.000 euros was made on December 2, 2025 for the painting of the church.
The documentation also records a payment of 5.000 euros to the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, approved on May 14, 2025, from the current budget reserve for the renovation of the Savina Monastery.
CPC from Cetinje 2.000 euros
The Royal Capital of Cetinje paid a total of 2.000 euros to religious organizations in 2025, and according to a decision by the Secretariat for Finance and Economic Development, all the money was paid to the Montenegrin Orthodox Church as financial assistance. The decision states that these are funds from the current budget reserve.
The client's analytical card shows that four individual payments of 500 euros each were recorded.
Gusinje, Ulcinj and Rožaje free of charge
The municipalities of Gusinje, Ulcinj and Rožaje did not allocate funds from the budget for religious communities covered by the request for free access to information in 2025, according to a decision by the Secretariat for Economy, Development and Finance. The document states that the body "does not have the requested information" because there was no aid or donations to religious communities in the requested period.
For the "honor of plants" 1.000 euros
The smallest individual payment from the Municipality of Tivat from the submitted documents refers to the Diocese of Budimljan-Niksic, which received 1.000 euros from the budget item "Assistance to institutions and organizations" on July 31, 2025. The description of the transfer states that it was a request for financial assistance for organizing a celebration "in honor of plants".
"Vijesti" obtained the data for this article with the help of MANS's "Ask Institutions" application..
Artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the preparation and creation of this text.
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