Photo: UNDP Montenegro / Duško Miljanić
Slovakia is supporting Pljevlja’s journey toward a just transition through long-term cooperation with UNDP.
For generations, coal has been the backbone of life in Pljevlja, Montenegro. Situated on the country’s northern border, Pljevlja is home to 23,000 residents, and two out of three workers are employed either in the mine or in coal-related industries.
Today, however, Pljevlja stands at a critical crossroads. As Montenegro advances toward a just transition, the town that once powered the nation faces the challenge of diversifying its economy, modernising its energy systems and securing sustainable opportunities for its residents in a future beyond coal.
UNDP and the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic (MFSR) are supporting Pljevlja in navigating this complex transformation. A recent UNDP blog captures the human dimension of this transition, giving voice to residents, young professionals, and municipal and company leaders as they reflect on both the challenges and the emerging opportunities.
Slovak-supported activities in Pljevlja
Slovak support for Pljevlja’s transition has been sustained over time.
Earlier, a Just Transition Roadmap was developed within the Resource Mobilisation Facility under the Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) project. The roadmap assessed the impact of decarbonisation on employment, the changes in supply and demand chains and financial costs of the process. The Government of Montenegro adopted the Roadmap as a baseline for all subsequent steps.
Building on this foundation, UNDP and MFSR are currently supporting Pljevlja through the City Experiment Fund, advancing efforts to diversify the local economy, reduce air pollution and improve energy efficiency. Aligned with the EU Green Deal, Montenegro’s Reform Agenda and broader EU accession and decarbonization commitments, the initiative supports re-skilling and up-skilling the workforce, encourages investments in green infrastructure and innovation and ensures that no community or worker is left behind in the just transition process.