New building of the "Vladimir Nazor" primary school opened with EU support
A new building of the "Vladimir Nazor" primary school was ceremoniously opened on 15 April in Podgorica, valued at €7.2 million. The school was opened by the Prime Minister Mr. Milojko Spajić, the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, the Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Johann Sattler, and the school's principal Ljiljana Marković.
After several years waiting, students from this part of the city will have access to a new school with a capacity for 1,200 students, featuring 29 modern classrooms, a library, a multimedia classroom, and a reconstructed gymnasium.
Ambassador Sattler stressed the importance of joint efforts and long-term investment in education: "This beautiful new school is proof of what we can achieve when we work together – and is an expression of our sincere commitment to children, educators, and the entire community. The European Union provided more than half of the funds for the construction of this school, and additional support came as a gift - a donation from European countries. We are proud to invest in a space where knowledge grows, children progress, and new opportunities are created."
Minister Jakšić-Stojanović emphasised that the construction of this school is the best example of what can be achieved when Team Europe works together: “Let this new school be a place where ideas are born that will shape the future of upcoming generations, a place where our young people will grow into leaders, scientists, and innovators of the future.”
Construction of the school began in 2023 after the old building was demolished for safety reasons. Since 2021, students have been attending classes in three other local schools.
Thanking the students, parents, and the school's staff for their patience and perseverance in overcoming challenges in organising classes, the school's principal, Ljiljana Marković, said: "From this moment on, we are starting a new chapter in the school's history, which dates back to 1958."
The new school facility was financed through the Education Infrastructure Improvement project supported by the Western Balkans Investment Framework. In total, over €11 million is contributed by the EU and bilateral donors through the WBIF, €18 million loan provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), and €32 million from the national budget.
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WBIF bilateral donors
Selected investments are supported jointly by WBIF Bilateral Donors and the EU in line with the Team Europe approach. The WBIF Bilateral Donors contribute directly to the Western Balkans Investment Framework Joint Fund in support of a sustainable and green transition in the Western Balkans. As of July 2024, 21 investments have been co-financed by Bilateral Donors for a total estimated amount of €559 million. Active Bilateral Donors as of July 2024 are: Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. See all projects supported by bilateral donors to WBIF in booklet here.
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The WBIF is part of the Global Gateway - the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Global Gateway is fully aligned with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Agreement. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in investments. Through a 'Team Europe approach', Global Gateway will bring together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments for a transformational impact.