Montenegro eyes €2 billion in EU cohesion funds

PODGORICA, September 27, 2026 – Montenegro’s European integration minister said the country stands to receive around €2 billion from EU cohesion funds over the coming years, funding meant for infrastructure, regional development and public services, as RTCG reports.

The minister said the funds would be a major boost for Montenegro’s EU accession path, helping close the development gap with member states and financing projects from highways to water systems.

Cohesion policy is the EU’s main investment tool for reducing economic and social disparities between regions, and access to the full envelope depends on Montenegro meeting administrative and reform benchmarks.

Officials in Podgorica say preparations are underway to build the institutional capacity needed to absorb the funds efficiently — a challenge that has tripped up other candidate countries in the past.

The announcement comes as Montenegro pushes to become the EU’s next member state, with Brussels repeatedly praising its progress while urging faster reforms in rule of law and anti-corruption.