Čuvaj da te čuva: New Action Against Illegal Landfills at Ulcinj’s Long Beach

Čuvaj da te čuva: New Action Against Illegal Landfills at Ulcinj's Long Beach

An action has begun rehabilitating the hinterland of Long Beach in Ulcinj as part of the National Environmental Campaign "Čuvaj da te čuva", and marking the European Beach Clean-Up Day. Action will continue in the following days, cleaning an area burdened with illegal landfills.

The initiative was launched by the EU Delegation, which has traditionally marked this important European day with similar activities. Key partners and implementing organisations that actively took part in the initiative included the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development, the embassies of EU Member States, the Municipality of Ulcinj, the Police Administration, the Spatial Planning Administration, the Central Bank of Montenegro, the NGOs Let's Green Montenegro and Zero Waste Montenegro, as well as numerous local partners such as the Dr Martin Schneider Jacoby Foundation and pupils from the "Bratstvo-Jedinstvo" Secondary School in Ulcinj.

The Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, expressed satisfaction with the broad participation from across the country and locally. Ambassador also highlighted the campaign's early beginnings and the tangible results already achieved in a short time:
"Together we have achieved a great deal. Thanks to our efforts and the support of partners from across Montenegrin society, this is the second illegal landfill that we are successfully transforming into a regulated public space, complete with benches, surveillance cameras, and information boards. I am particularly encouraged by the establishment of a multidisciplinary team to combat environmental crime, because it is not enough simply to clean and rehabilitate; institutions must also provide an effective response to every offence in this field. Only in this way can Montenegro meet the challenges of Chapter 27 and, more importantly, preserve its outstanding natural beauty for future generations."

The Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and the Development of the North, Damjan Ćulafić, stated:
"First of all, I wish to thank all our partners who are helping us to fulfil numerous obligations under Chapter 27, and in particular the Delegation of the EU to Montenegro, led by Ambassador Sattler. I am also especially pleased to welcome the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark. I would also like to commend the efforts of the local administration, whose representatives are here with us today, together with civil society and the media. It seems to me that no previous campaign in the field of nature protection and ecology has brought together such a large number of relevant actors from all parts of society as has the major national campaign 'Čuvaj da te čuva'. We launched this campaign with a large clean-up action at Ćemovsko polje. Today we are continuing here in Ulcinj, and on Monday we move on to the section between Podgorica and Nikšić. The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and the Northern Region Development, as one of the partners in the National Environmental Campaign, is playing its part, and I believe we are achieving what matters the most - raising public awareness of the importance of environmental protection."

Pernille Dahler Kardel, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, the country currently presiding over the Council of Europe, emphasised:
"Preserving Montenegro's remarkable natural heritage is not only a local duty but also a shared European responsibility. Today's clean-up action is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strong step towards a greener and more united Europe. Migration season for birds, which is currently taking place, further underlines the need to pay greater attention to the birds that connect our skies. At the same time, it reminds us that we must also coordinate our efforts to protect this land that protects us. Montenegro's work on Chapter 27 demonstrates commitment, and I encourage the country to redouble its efforts to achieve greater progress. Environmental protection is both a political responsibility and a promise to future generations."

The Deputy Mayor of Ulcinj, Bećir Selaj, stated:
"By protecting the environment and natural resources, we guarantee the right of future generations to a healthy life and sustainable economic development without compromising their needs. Only by living in harmony with nature can we build a future worth living. That is how we must treat the Long Beach, the Saltworks, Valdanos, Ada Bojana and other jewels of our town, for they have in fact been entrusted to us by the generations to come."

The Executive Director of the NGO Zero Waste Montenegro, Vanja Cicmil, added:
"Every piece of litter on the beach reminds us that we still have work to do in changing habits and improving the waste management system. That is why today's action, under the slogan 'Čuvaj da te čuva,' is much more than symbolic cleaning. It shows that solutions do exist - through cooperation between institutions, businesses, organisations and citizens. As part of the European and global network, Zero Waste Montenegro continues to work on education, promoting sustainable alternatives and advocating for better policies. However, real success will come only when the community itself understand that change starts from within."

The rehabilitated area behind the Long Beach will be additionally equipped with park furniture and surveillance cameras, donated by the Central Bank of Montenegro, a partner in the campaign. This will ensure permanent monitoring of the restored site by the competent municipal services.

Let us protect our coasts - they are the face of our waters and the mirror of our relationship with nature. Čuvaj da te čuva.