Montenegro Advances Climate Finance Readiness Through New Learning Initiative

28 May 2026

Montenegro is strengthening its institutional readiness to access international climate finance through a new learning initiative launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in partnership with the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development.

The first workshop of the “Month of Learning on Climate Finance” campaign brought together representatives of national institutions and partners to deepen knowledge of global climate financing mechanisms and explore opportunities available to Montenegro through international climate funds.

The campaign is being implemented under the FAO–GCF Readiness Project, which supports the strengthening of strategic frameworks for AFOLU sectors - agriculture, forestry and other land use, while also supporting the launch of Montenegro’s Second National Forest Inventory.

Opening the event, Dr. Zoran Dabetić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development and representative of Montenegro’s National Designated Authority for the Green Climate Fund, highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation across institutions and improved understanding of climate finance mechanisms in addressing the country’s climate priorities.

“Climate change remains one of the key challenges for Montenegro, particularly in agriculture, forestry and land management. Strengthening institutional capacities and preparing quality project proposals are essential steps towards achieving national climate goals,” Dr. Dabetić noted.

Jovana Šuković, FAO National Programme Coordinator for Montenegro, emphasized that the initiative aims to make climate finance opportunities and Green Climate Fund procedures more accessible to national institutions and partners.

“Through the GCF Readiness Project, FAO is supporting Montenegro in strengthening strategic frameworks and institutional capacities in AFOLU sectors, while helping institutions better understand and access international climate finance opportunities,” Šuković said.

The workshop was led by international climate finance experts Igor Slavkoski and Martina Duncan, who introduced participants to the global climate finance architecture and key financing instruments, including the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility and the Adaptation Fund. Discussions also focused on opportunities to combine public and private financing sources to support climate action in Montenegro.

The session marked the first in a series of six online workshops that will take place over the coming weeks, contributing to Montenegro’s efforts to strengthen institutional preparedness for accessing and effectively utilizing climate finance.

The next workshop, scheduled for 2 June 2026, will focus on the structure, priorities and partnership mechanisms of the Green Climate Fund.

More information is available on the Government of Montenegro website.