On 30 March 2026, the Municipality of Bar organised its Local Mobilisation Workshop for the RECIRCLE MED project.
Held at the Princess Hotel, the workshop gathered representatives from municipal authorities, academia, tourism organisations, local businesses, and civil society, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
Institutional Opening
The workshop was officially opened by representatives of the Municipality of Bar, who highlighted the importance of sustainable tourism for the local economy and its strong connection to coastal resources, local production, and cultural heritage.
They emphasised that participation in RECIRCLE MED offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen existing practices and support the transition towards more sustainable and resilient tourism development.
Introducing RECIRCLE MED
The RECIRCLE MED project was then presented, outlining its concept, objectives, and expected results.
Particular emphasis was placed on the project’s local dimension, focusing on adapting its tools to the specific characteristics of Bar, identifying key challenges, raising awareness of blue and circular tourism, and actively engaging stakeholders in the co-creation of solutions.
The Blueprint for Blue Action Plans for Circular Tourism & Inputs so far
The next session focused on the presentation of the RECIRCLE MED Blueprint, a practical tool designed to support coastal and Mediterranean destinations in developing tailored Blue Action Plans.
The structure and logic of the Blueprint were explained, highlighting its integrated approach that combines circular and blue economy principles. Special emphasis was placed on the step-by-step process, guiding stakeholders from understanding local conditions to defining concrete actions and measures.
Participants were also introduced to the progress made so far in Bar, including initial data collection and alignment with local strategies, while discussing the next steps towards defining priorities and concrete actions through the Blue Action Plan.
Interactive Session: Needs, Priorities & Perspectives
The event included an interactive session where participants engaged in discussions and completed an online survey, with the contribution of the University of Thessaly, providing feedback on their level of knowledge, understanding, and the applicability of circular tourism concepts.
Participants demonstrated a good understanding of blue and circular economy principles and recognised their relevance to the tourism sector. The session highlighted key benefits such as improved sustainability and destination competitiveness, while also identifying challenges, including stakeholder engagement, data availability, and the need for clearer guidance. Overall, the results confirmed a strong local potential to adopt the RECIRCLE MED Blueprint, supported by collaboration and capacity-building efforts.
Blue and Circular Economy Practices
The workshop continued with the presentation of blue and circular economy practices, showcasing relevant experiences and perspectives at local and regional level.
These included:
- JOINABLE Project – JOINt approach to Blue circuLar Economy – for Adriatic and Ionian Region, an Interreg IPA ADRION Programme (University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor)
- Sustainable tourism and circular economy in the management of tourism resources (Chamber of Economy of Montenegro),
- Olive oil industry as a part of local tourism offer (Olive Growers Association of Bar).
These contributions highlighted the potential for strengthening sustainability through the valorisation of local assets and practices.
Closing Remarks
The workshop concluded with a discussion summarising the key findings and outlining the next steps.
Participants highlighted the importance of maintaining strong collaboration among stakeholders and ensuring active involvement in the upcoming phases of the project.
Tourism remains a key sector for Bar, with strong potential for further development through sustainable practices.
More information on active tourism in Bar has also been provided by the Bar Tourism Office HERE
A Collaborative Path Forward
The outcomes of the workshop will feed into the development of the Blue Action Plan for Bar, supporting the identification and implementation of targeted measures.
The strong engagement of stakeholders and the collaborative spirit of the event provide a solid foundation for advancing circular tourism practices in Bar and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient tourism model across the Mediterranean.
Let’s shape the future of sustainable tourism together!
