The workshop took place in Podgorica on 11 October 2023. It was organised by the Secretariat of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine in cooperation with the Office for Sustainable Development of the Government of Montenegro and the EU Delegation.

The conclusions drawn from the dynamic expert discussion were as follows:

• There is a need of a clear vision and strategic framework achieved through a transparent process and fulfilling obligations under national and international agreements; 
• Ensuring national energy security should be a fundamental principle of the transition process. Furthermore, its social and economic consequences must be considered and properly addressed;
• The European Union's support in form of financial mechanisms and expert assistance is essential.

Participants emphasized their readiness to collaborate and find solutions together. 

The workshop brought together representatives from various stakeholder groups, including relevant ministries, the Pljevlja Municipality, Pljevlja Coal Mine, Delegations of the EU and UNDP, World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Participants from Montenegro’s energy, academic, business, and civil sectors attended the event as well.

The keynote speakers included Admir Šahmanović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Capital Investments; Armend Mila, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism; Yngve Engstroem, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation; Ekatarina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro; and Darko Gazdić, Vice President of the Municipality of Pljevlja.

The workshop featured three panel discussions. The first panel focused on the draft national Just Transition Roadmap, aimed at defining the overall approach and principles of the transition process. The second panel explored financing options for the just transition in Montenegro and included participation from representatives of the EU Delegation, World Bank, and EBRD. It also featured presentations of projects by the energy company EPCG, Eco Fund, and the business community. The third panel centered on sharing valuable experiences gained through the coal regions exchange program, in which Pljevlja stakeholders actively participated.