Šavnik – A Town to Stay In and Build Upon
Written by: Jugoslav Jakić, Mayor of the Municipality of Šavnik
Our Municipality Day, celebrated with citizens, friends, partners, and institutions, was more than a formal occasion – it was a reminder. A reminder that small communities do not ask for privilege, only for opportunity. That we do not seek excuses, but room to act. That, despite all odds, we are here – and here to stay.
Another year has passed in which Šavnik stood firm. Not in a struggle for attention, but in pursuit of the right to grow. Not against anyone, but for the sake of its people. In that spirit, I write not to catalogue achievements, but to reflect on who we are becoming – and where we are going.
A Town of Responsibility, Not Division
In an era of political uncertainty, vague legislation, and institutional fragility, Šavnik chose responsibility. We upheld the Constitution and the law. Our decision to hold elections on June 13, 2027, affirms our commitment to continuity, equality, and dialogue.
We are not led by slogans or extremes. We are a community that understands compromise and principle are not opposites, but allies. We stand up for what is ours – not against others.
A Budget Is Not Power – It’s a Measure of Care
With the largest budget in our municipality’s history, we didn’t seek prestige – we embraced responsibility. A bigger budget means nothing unless it improves lives.
That’s why we opened doors for our youth: through employment programs for graduates, financial support, and initiatives that make staying in Šavnik not just possible, but wise. We provided direct aid to farmers and livestock breeders – because without the village, there is no town; without households, there is no community.
Infrastructure That Connects – People, Villages, Futures
In 2024, we invested over €700,000 in local roads. That’s more than just infrastructure – it’s connection. It links homes to schools, clinics to town squares, and fields to families. It’s a refusal to be left behind.
Our water supply project for Mljetičak and Dobra Sela, valued at over €1 million, is proof that no investment is too great when it ensures a basic human right – access to water. Our villages are not peripheral – they are central to our vision.
In Nevidio Canyon, we launched a €500,000 infrastructure project – not to tame nature, but to make it more accessible, safer, and sustainable for tourism.
And in Komarnica, we responded swiftly to a natural disaster with direct assistance. No one should face hardship alone.
Looking Ahead: Europe Starts Here
This year, we initiated several major capital projects: the construction of a social housing building (€1.3 million), pedestrian walkways along the Bukovica and Bijela rivers (€900,000), and the next phase of our water supply system.
We’ve also prepared project documentation for the reconstruction of key local roads, with an expected investment exceeding €2.5 million. For the first time, our approach is not reactive – it is strategic, forward-thinking, and open to external funding.
Preparatory work has begun on the Semolj Tunnel – a project that will better connect Šavnik with the rest of Montenegro. For our youth, we’re designing a new Youth Center – a space for gathering, growth, and belonging.
We proudly joined a Council of Europe initiative on democracy, alongside municipalities from across Southeast Europe. For the first time, Šavnik was at the table not as a recipient of aid – but as a contributor of ideas.
Culture and Sports – Not Luxury, But Identity
The “Pekić House” is no longer just a monument. It is a vibrant center for dialogue, creativity, and community. We’ve hosted theater productions, film festivals, art exhibitions, and literary evenings – because culture isn’t a decoration; it’s a foundation.
Meanwhile, sports in Šavnik are undergoing a renaissance. New clubs have been established. Medals have been earned. Our youth are no longer merely spectators – they are contenders.
Our Response
The Šavnik we’re building defies outdated perceptions. It’s not a forgotten town where time stands still. On the contrary, it is a mountain town confronting depopulation not with lament, but with solutions.
We envision a future rooted in our path – not by imitating others, but by finding a European identity through nature, knowledge, community, and responsibility.
This is our signature: modern yet grounded, politically serious yet culturally open, locally focused yet globally aware.
And that is why we no longer speak of survival. We speak of the future. Of a new Šavnik – here to stay.
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