Amid Montenegro’s commitment to meeting  EU Chapter 11 criteria, our programme partnered with the Ministry of Forestry, Agriculture and Water Management to bolster agriculture in the country’s most challenging landscapes. The support included: 

• The identification of Areas facing Natural Constraints (ANC); 
• Formulation of a support  scheme tailored for farmers residing in these areas. 

UNOPS programme experts transformed complex data into practical guidance aligning  Montenegro's trajectory with EU Common Agricultural Policy and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) guidelines, particularly focusing on environmental and climate ring-fencing. The support aligns with various  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably Zero Hunger (SDG2) and Climate Action (SDG13). The proposed scheme aims to ensure fair compensation for farmers, enabling continued land management practices to prevent agricultural  abandonment. Additionally, it intends to implement resilient agricultural methods crucial for preserving delicate ecosystems in mountainous and fragile environments across Montenegro.