RDA BKP completed the first embroidery workshop cycle for 26 participants under the Danube Crafts project. The focus was on valorizing the famous Montenegrin stitch and empowering women economically. Due to high interest, a new training cycle is planned, alongside creating souvenir prototypes for tourism.
News & Events
DYNAMIC DANUBE: Study visit on sustainable agriculture
As part of the DINAMIC DANUBE project, project team representatives and local experts from Montenegro participated in a study visit to Zagreb, held from March 17th to 19th, 2026. The visit was organized by Croatian partners – RIT Croatia and Optimizacija d.o.o., with the support of other project partners.
First Traditional Embroidery Workshop Held within the DANUBE CRAFTS Project
The first DANUBE CRAFTS embroidery workshop attracted 27 women, proving a strong interest in tradition. Due to high demand, work continues in groups. Participants are reviving family heritage while focusing on creativity, mindfulness, and crafting authentic souvenirs that blend the past with the modern market.
Katuns of Montenegro: A Centuries-Old Tradition Shaping Mountain Identity
The video film about Montenegro’s katuns presents a centuries-old tradition of seasonal migration that still preserves an authentic way of life. Through nature-based living, traditions, and livestock care, it highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity and strengthening local communities.
Presenting Our Success Stories at the Capitalization Event in Podgorica
At a panel in Podgorica, we presented our cross-border success stories: The Mountain Table, Katun Roads, and new cultural routes in 8 villages. We are proud of our cooperation with partners from Albania and Kosovo, which has brought lasting value to our tourism and improved the offer in mountain areas.
How to Preserve Traditional Crafts
RDA BKP hosted a meeting with Romanian partners to discuss craft revitalization via Commheritour and DanubeCrafts. Embroidery was chosen as the lead activity for souvenir development. The goal is to train local women and adapt traditions to the market, empowering the community and preserving cultural heritage.
Peer review visit by partners from the city of Sibiu from Romania
The visit was realized in Petnjica and Berane through numerous joint activities. Special attention was paid to the pilot project being developed on the premises of the NGO “Bihorski ćilim” and in the “Mahmut Adrović” Elementary School in Petnjica, where, thanks to this project, workshops for transferring the skill of weaving the Bihorski carpet are being held.
Katuns on the road to national and international protection
During the discussion, it was shown that katuns are still insufficiently understood in Montenegrin public discourse and that they face numerous administrative, infrastructural, and social obstacles. Participants pointed out that this centuries-old tradition, although a unique part of Montenegro’s identity and cultural landscape, is still not adequately valued or treated with due respect.
Cultural and natural potentials in the focus of the DANUBE WOOD(s) route
In all locations, similarities and common opportunities for the development of tourism products connecting natural resources, wooden architecture, crafts, and traditional skills were observed. The need to improve the locations themselves, the way they are presented, and the guiding programs, visitor management, and presentation of intangible heritage was particularly emphasized.
Participation of the Regional Development Agency at the final MED GIAHS conference in Italy
The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije participated from November 20 to 22 in the final MED GIAHS conference in Trevi (Italy), together with all project partners, as well as representatives of the Association of Rural Households of Montenegro, who represented the rural tourism sector at the gathering.
Architectural heritage of katuns promoted within the European Heritage Days
European Heritage Days are celebrated every September across Europe, under the auspices of the European Commission and the Council of Europe, through the organization of events at local and national levels, in accordance with a unique theme chosen at the European level.
Training of Trainers within the MED GIAHS Project, a Step Towards Recognizing Katuns as a GIAHS Site in Montenegro
On October 7 and 8, 2025, a Training of Trainers was organized in Montenegro within the MED GIAHS project, with the participation of Italian experts from the University of Florence, Dr. Antonio Santoro, Deputy Director of the UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes, and Francesco Piras, a researcher at the same chair.
Project “Support for agricultural practices aimed at the conservation and protection of biodiversity”
RDA BKP is implementing a biodiversity protection project in agriculture, funded by the Eco-Fund. Supporting 53 farmers across Montenegro, the focus is on indigenous breeds like Buša cattle and local sheep. Through subsidies and training, the project preserves natural heritage and encourages sustainable farming.
RRA BKP participated in the Steering Committee meeting and study visit within the MED GIAHS project in the Axarquía region
As part of the MED GIAHS project, RDA BKP representatives visited Spain’s Axarquía region. The focus was on protecting agricultural heritage through sustainable tourism. As our katuns are GIAHS candidates, this visit is key to linking tradition economic and the promotion of rural areas.
The Fourth Katun Route: 500 Kilometers of Centuries-Old Tradition and Untouched Nature
The video presents a cross-border project between Montenegro and Serbia focused on developing rural tourism from Durmitor to Zlatar. Through new trails, infrastructure, and local host stories, it promotes sustainable tourism, natural heritage, and the connection of mountain regions.
Final conference of the project “Joint actions for the development of rural tourism”
During the conference, key results were presented: the development of two thematic trails – the Katun Road “Giant Peaks” in Montenegro and a network of five Zlatar trails in Serbia that connect rural households and landscapes, natural and cultural attractions, while promoting the rich heritage of the cross-border region.
Participation in the international expert conference “Transhumance Landscapes of Global Significance”
Representatives of Montenegro participated in the international expert conference “Transhumance Landscapes of Global Significance”, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 23–24, 2025, within the framework of the ICOMOS World Heritage Senior Advisory Group Initiative on Transhumance*. The conference was hosted by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Representative of the Regional Development Agency as a guest lecturer for students from the Netherlands
The lecture was dedicated to mountain and rural tourism, with a special focus on katuns as a specific form of seasonal life and work in mountain areas. The students were presented with how katuns and local communities are integrated into modern tourism flows, as well as the impact of tourism on people’s lives, cultural identity, and the preservation of natural resources.
Our Villages as Tourism Destinations: Meet the People and Landscapes Capturing the Hearts of Tourists in Our New Video
Watch our new video for the project “Turning our villages into tourism destinations”. Discover how our villages are becoming global gems through stories from Šiška, Polica and Vraneš. See why tradition and hospitality are the heart of an experience that attracts tourists worldwide.
RDA BKP at the Third Danube Wood(s) Route Project Partner Meeting in Sarajevo
The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije participated in the third partner meeting within the Danube Wood(s) Route project, held on April 10 and 11, 2025, in Sarajevo, organized by the Sarajevo Economic Regional Development Agency (SERDA).
Empowering Katun Households: Developing Authentic Tourism Products
Within the international project MED GIAHS, the second thematic workshop dedicated to strengthening the capacities of katun households and valorizing their traditional way of life through sustainable tourism and the protection of the agricultural landscape was held on March 26, 2025.
Improving the Tourism Offer in the Katuns: Trainings Held in Šavnik, Plužine, and Mojkovac
Through the “Joint Actions for the Development of Rural Tourism” project, trainings were held for hosts in Šavnik, Plužine, and Mojkovac. Our katun dwellers’ stories are joining a new katun road developed with partners, supported by the EU via the IPA Serbia–Montenegro program.
Second Local Workshop within the MED GIAHS Project – Katuns as Potential GIAHS Sites
The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije is organizing the second local workshop within the international project MED GIAHS (Mediterranean Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems). The workshop will be held on March 26, 2025, in Berane, at the Agency’s premises.
RDA Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije now has five licensed Good Travel Seal trainers!
The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije now has five licensed trainers for the Good Travel Seal – a prestigious certification for sustainable tourism. This significant development enables the agency to provide expert support and guidance to rural tourism households in Montenegro, helping them improve their sustainability and market competitiveness.
The Power of Female Mentorship: From Tradition to Sustainable Rural Business
Supported by UNDP, successful women from Berane, B. Polje, and Plav are mentoring others to launch rural tourism businesses. We are building a support network, believing women are key to rural development. If you are a rural woman from these areas, join us! #WomenInTourism #RuralDevelopment #UNDP
UK Cooking Club Explores Montenegrin Mountain Cuisine and Falls in Love with Its Simplicity
A UK cooking club explored “Mountain Bounty” flavors, preparing traditional dishes like flija and stuffed peppers. Delighted by the simplicity and authenticity of our cuisine, they found recipes on montegastro.me. This is a fantastic promotion of Montenegrin culinary heritage and the hard work of our rural women.
RDA BKP attended a meeting with project partners and study visit to Valencia as part of the MED GIAHS project
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the partners, strengthen their cooperation, share best practices, and align their activities toward a common goal, the preservation and promotion of Mediterranean agricultural and cultural heritage. This heritage is acknowledged as a globally important agricultural heritage system (GIAHS).
Promotional Video: Local Partnership for Employment Initiative – ILEP
Opština Berane i Regionalna razvojna agencija za Bjelasicu, Komove i Prokletije su pripremile promotivne video spotove u okviru projekta „Inicijativa lokalnog partnerstva za zapošljavanje-ILEP“ koji se finansira od strane EU i kofinansira od strane Vlade CG.
Montenegro a part of Danube Culinary Trail
Surely you remember the Mountain Bounty, a collection of recipes from the mountain cuisine of Montenegro, which received an international award? And now we are part of a new project, called the Culinary trail, which is implemented through the Interreg Danube Programme, and is financed by the EU.
CrossReTour workshop on call for challenges
In June 2024, RDA BKP gathered katun households for the CrossReTour project, supporting green and digital transitions. 17 farms from high off-grid zones applied for expert guidance and mentoring. The goal is to preserve the ancient tradition of transhumance through sustainable tourism and innovative practices.
MED GIAHS Workshop in Berane: Advancing Agricultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism
On June 17, 2024, the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi, and Prokletije organized the first local workshop in Montenegro within the MED GIAHS project. The event, held in Berane, brought together 31 key stakeholders, including katun farmers, representatives of local governments, and protected area managers.
Invisible Women of Montenegro
We are proud to present the publication “Invisible Women of Montenegro,” created as part of a project supported by the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of the U.S. Embassy. Although our initial vision was focused exclusively on highlighting successful examples in rural tourism to motivate future entrepreneurs, our work in the field led us to an important change of course.
INITIAL PROJECT CONFERENCE HELD
The event was realized in a way to introduce the general public to the planned goals, results and activities of the project, to point out the importance of rural tourism for the economic development of underdeveloped municipalities and especially to highlight the function of natural resources in the future development of the tourist offer of the cross-border area.
Montenegro Hosts European Rural Tourism Elite: RuralTour Federation Assembly and Thematic Conference Held
Montenegro hosted the RuralTour European federation assembly and a rural tourism conference. In collaboration with RDA BKP, FAO, and EBRD, the event highlighted the link between local food production and tourism. Gathering leaders from 26 countries, it confirmed the international standing of our Rural Households Association.
Promotional Tour of Katuns along the Pešter Pastures Trail
Today’s office was the katuns along the Pešter Pastures trail. Agencies, journalists, travel writers, and bloggers joined to promote katuns as a tourism offer. Hosts showed great hospitality, and the event was part of the project funded by the EU under the IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Montenegro – Kosovo.
Continuation of the Promotional Tour: Katun Road “Untold Bjelasica”
After visiting the katuns on Vranica and meeting with media and agencies, the journey continued on Bjelasica. The “Untold Bjelasica” trail connects 50 katuns, where herders from Berane, Mojkovac, Kolašin, and Bijelo Polje migrate in summer, preserving tradition and authentic lifestyle.
Promoting Katun Roads: Media and Agencies Touring Bjelasica and Vranica
Through the EU-funded “Katun Roads” project, the tourism offer on Bjelasica and Vranica has been significantly improved. We are currently on the ground with media and agencies to showcase the results of our two-year work and the authentic katun lifestyle. The tour continues on Bjelasica with our local hosts.
“Rural Tourism for Mountain Destinations” Project Results Presented in Žabljak
A regional conference on rural tourism was held in Žabljak as part of the project by RDA BKP and Sarajevo partners, supported by the EU. With the participation of numerous institutions and experts, project results were presented and further development of mountain destinations was discussed.
Exchange of Experience and Education: Study Visit for Households from Montenegro and BiH
Within our cross-border project, we organized a study visit for households from the Durmitor region and Sarajevo Canton. By visiting experienced hosts in Bjelasica, participants connected and learned how to best valorize rural tourism, building a strong foundation for future regional cooperation.
RDA BKP Showcases Ongoing Activities at the EU Projects Fair in Podgorica
At the EU Projects Fair in Podgorica, RDA BKP presented ongoing EU-funded projects among 40 other exhibitors. In the courtyard of Petrović Castle, we showcased our results in rural and tourism development, highlighting the significance of European funds for the progress of communities in northern Montenegro.
Preserving Katuns: A Step Closer to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
At a workshop on GIAHS status for Montenegrin katuns, supported by FAO/EBRD, experts analyzed the architecture and cultural landscape of these settlements. International and national stakeholders discussed positioning the tradition of seasonal migration on the global map of important agricultural heritage systems.
A Triumph for Montenegrin Tradition in Paris: “Mountain Bounty” Wins at the Gourmand Awards
“Mountain Bounty” triumphed in Paris at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, winning Best Free Tourism Book. Supported by the EU, FAO, and EBRD, we showcased Montenegrin tradition on the world stage for the first time, captivating global experts with authentic stories from our katuns and local recipes.
Solar Energy for Katuns: 60 Households on Bjelasica Equipped with Solar Systems
Through the EU-funded “Katun Roads” project, 60 families on Bjelasica received solar systems. We are installing signage and camps for the new “Untold Bjelasica” thematic trail. This winter, we’ll work with local hosts to prepare for the first tourists seeking an authentic mountain experience.
Electrifying Katuns on Bjelasica: Supporting Tradition and Tourism Development
Through the “Katun Roads” project (EU CBC BiH-MNE), solar system installation for herders on Bjelasica has begun. This support is vital for preserving the migration tradition and developing authentic tourism. We aim to ensure our rich heritage gains recognition and becomes a key part of the tourism offer.
Rural Tourism Along Via Dinarica: Traditional Interior Design for an Authentic Experience
Through the EU-supported RCC project “Rural Tourism along Via Dinarica,” we worked on the interior design of Dragan Šain’s household in Plužine. With the Kreativa association, the space was decorated in a traditional and unique way, preserving authentic features and style that attract tourists to Via Dinarica.
Ambassador Reinke in Mojkovac: Supporting Rural Tourism Through the Seed Distribution Project
Ambassador Reinke visited Mojkovac as part of the Spirit of America-funded Seed Project. Providing seeds and seedlings to 68 households, including the Tomović family, is vital for rural tourism recovery and strengthening local food production through the U.S.-Montenegrin partnership.
Flavors of the North Successfully Presented: “Mountain Bounty” Project Results Showcased in Podgorica
RDA BKP presented its project results in Podgorica: 40 northern farms now offer 75 registered and tested products. Following the Delta City fair, a themed evening at Forest restaurant featured mountain dishes and Gastro Nomad. The project was implemented with support from EU, EBRD, and FAO.
Traditional Architecture of Polimlja Through the Lens and Brush: Exhibition Opens in Berane
An exhibition on the traditional architecture of Polimlja opened at the Polimski Museum as part of an EU project on cultural landscapes. Featuring works by Jovan Nikolić, Sandra Kapetanović, and local students, the event highlighted the value of rural heritage for tourism and local identity.