# Montenegro reforms and tourism unrest continue > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montenegro-infrastructure-development-and-eu-funding > Updated: 2026-07-31T12:55:32.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 10. The EU’s €44.2 million third tranche of its Growth Plan for Montenegro was approved in late May, followed in early June by France’s AFD €100 million Development Policy Loan for waste‑management, renewable‑energy and climate‑resilience projects. The government also launched a €3.5 million SME modernisation programme, a €3 million research‑infrastructure grant contest, and allocated €100 000 for women entrepreneurs in Bar. The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation funded youth‑science projects and a playground renovation in Pula, Croatia. The luxury Sveti Stefan resort reopened in early July after a settlement with Adriatic Properties, but local opposition persisted. On 13 July, about thirty residents and political activists blocked the resort’s main entrance, alleging an assault on a security guard whose phone was broken and arms bruised. Police later affirmed no injuries were reported, the guard did not seek medical aid, and that private security may detain only under specific legal conditions. The incident revived debate over the resort’s ownership, public beachfront access and the limits of private‑security powers. On 31 July, Montenegro’s Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation announced a €2.9 million research and innovation incentive competition under the 2026‑2031 Smart Specialisation Strategy. Up to €400,000 can be awarded per project, with applications accepted until 31 December 2026 or until funds are exhausted. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Montenegro launches €2.9 million 2026 research and innovation incentive competition Montenegro’s Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation opened a €2.9 million 2026 competition to fund research and innovation projects, offering up to €400k per project and up to €350k per research centre, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-launches-29-million-2026-research-and-innovation-incentive-competition ### 2026-07-13: Sveti Stefan resort blockade escalates in Montenegro Local residents and activists blocked Sveti Stefan resort in Montenegro; a security guard was injured, guests trapped, and police say no injuries were reported, sparking a dispute over security powers and the’s 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sveti-stefan-tourist-complex-blocked-security-guard-injured ### 2026-07-10: Montenegro launches 3‑million‑euro grant contest for research infrastructure Montenegro’s Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation offers €3 million in grants for research infrastructure, with up to €250k per project, deadline 10 Sept 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-launches-3millioneuro-grant-contest-for-research-infrastructure ### 2026-06-25: Montenegro adopts sweeping reforms covering social economy, whistleblower protection and femicide law Montenegro passed a suite of reforms in June 2026, including a social‑economy law to help vulnerable workers, whistle‑blower and anti‑corruption measures, a reserves act, a mining law, and a push to define femc 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-passes-socialeconomy-law-as-herzegovina-county-finalizes-255k-development-aid ### 2026-06-21: Sveti Stefan resort reopens in Montenegro amid local fence dispute Montenegro’s Sveti Stefan resort reopened on 1 July with luxury restaurants and €240 beach‑chair rentals, but locals protested a fence blocking a public path, filing a criminal complaint against the operator. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sveti-stefan-resort-reopens-in-montenegro-amid-local-fence-dispute ### 2026-06-19: Bar Municipality Supports 28 Women Entrepreneurs with €100,000 Funding Bar municipality in Montenegro allocated €100,000 to 28 women entrepreneurs for 2026, continuing a programme that has supported 143 businesses with over €550,000 since 2019. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-municipality-supports-28-women-entrepreneurs-with-100000-funding ### 2026-06-16: Croatia and Montenegro allocate funds for playground upgrade and youth science projects Croatia grants €10,000 for a Pula playground renovation, while Montenegro allocates €50,000 to 16 youth science projects. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-ministry-allocates-50000-to-16-science-promotion-projects ### 2026-06-12: Montenegro allocates €3.5 million to boost SMEs and metal industry in 2026 Montenegro’s 2026 programme designates €3.5 million to upgrade SME production, support women entrepreneurs, modernise technology, and foster regional and metallurgical growth. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-allocates-35-million-to-boost-smes-and-metal-industry-in-2026 ### 2026-06-04: Montenegro receives €100 million EU reform loan as Aman Sveti Stefan resort set to reopen Montenegro's government struck a deal with Adriatic Properties to reopen Aman Sveti Stefan resort, gaining a 10% profit share, while also signing a €100 million loan with France's AFD to fund EU‑related reform, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-secures-100-million-eu-loan-and-prepares-reopening-of-aman-sveti-stefan-resort ### 2026-05-25: Montenegro Secures €44.2 Million EU Growth Plan Funding The EU Commission approved a €44.2 million third tranche of Growth Plan funds for Montenegro, allocating €20.6 million to the state budget and €23.6 million to infrastructure, citing the country's leading work‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-secures-442-million-eu-growth-plan-funding --- Cite as: Montenegro reforms and tourism unrest continue. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montenegro-infrastructure-development-and-eu-funding