Montenegro

Overview | World Vision's history in Montenegro | World Vision in Montenegro today

Overview Montenegro is located in Southeast Europe and borders Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, and the Adriatic Sea. Most of the country’s landscape is made up of the southern end of the Dinaric Alps, with an average height of more than 6,500 feet. Near the sea, there is a narrow plain that, at its widest, is four miles. Montenegro has hot, dry summers and cold winters, with heavy snow in the higher elevations. Bauxite and hydroelectricity are important natural resources. The two primary ethnic groups in the country are Serbs and Montenegrins, who, combined, make up three-quarters of the population. Other groups include Bosniaks, Albanians, Croats, Roma, and Yugoslavs. Montenegrin became the country’s official language in 2007, though the Iyekavian dialect of Serbian (formerly the national language) is still used by nearly everyone. Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian are also spoken. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro was ruled by a series of bishops; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, the country was absorbed by the future Kingdom of Yugoslavia. When Yugoslavia dissolved, Montenegro joined with its neighbor, officially becoming the union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, the country invoked its right to hold a referendum on independence. The resulting vote allowed Montenegro to formally declare its independence on June 3, 2006. Montenegro is doing better than many experts predicted with regard to its economic indicators—growth is at an average of seven percent a year, and inflation is low at three percent. However, poverty still exists, primarily among the Roma population. Nationally, unemployment has fallen to 11 percent, but among the Roma that amount more than triples. In addition, a majority of the Roma are living on less than 3.5 euros (US$5) a day.		Country statistics  Population 661,000 million Land mass 5,333 square miles People per square mile 124 Life expectancy 75 years Under age 5 mortality rate 10/1,000 Literacy rate 96% Access to safe water N/A Average annual income US$3,860 Religion Christian 77.7% Muslim 17.7% None/unspecified 44.6%

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World Vision's history in Montenegro

World Vision began working in the former Yugoslavia in August 1998 as a result of the Kosovo conflict. A relief program was launched, providing food and winter clothing to those fleeing the violence. In addition, World Vision launched a program to improve conditions in emergency shelters. Soup kitchens were established to feed the huge influx of internally displaced persons. Family survival kits containing food and hygiene items also were distributed. Since its initial establishment in Montenegro and then Serbia, World Vision has continued to implement programs aimed at assisting the physical, social, psychological, and financial needs of the region’s impoverished population. Today, World Vision has instituted sustainable and multifunctional programs to fight poverty in rural areas.

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World Vision in Montenegro today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Montenegro to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. World Vision operates a few development programs, all of which are supported by donors outside of the United States. Activities include microfinance, education, and church partnership.

For more information on World Vision’s work in Montenegro, please contact the United States office.

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