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As part of the SAGRI project – Health and Safety at Work in Agriculture, funded through the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Program, a three-day international conference was held in Podgorica from March 25–27, 2025. The event focused on improving occupational health and safety (OHS) in agriculture, as part of a broader effort to create safer and more dignified working conditions in the agricultural sector across the region.
The event brought together more than 30 participants from Montenegro, Albania, and Italy – including representatives of institutions, inspection bodies, agricultural companies, the academic community, OHS experts, and international organizations.
The conference was opened by Milena Aković, Marketing Director at ICT Cortex, with the presence of representatives from the Ministry of European Affairs and the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro. In their opening remarks, the speakers emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral and regional cooperation, particularly in light of the growing challenges related to food safety, climate change, and the modernization of agriculture.
Kana Tomašević, Head of the FLC Directorate at the Ministry of Finance—which is responsible for the first-level control of the program’s cost eligibility—addressed the participants on behalf of the Ministry. She spoke about the importance of participation and the benefits that such projects bring to Montenegrin institutions. She highlighted that cross-border cooperation programs contribute to the economic, social, and territorial development of border regions, while also building the capacities of local authorities and stakeholders to utilize structural and investment funds within the framework of territorial cooperation, as a key component of cohesion policy. These programs aim to support the population in border areas by promoting sustainable socio-economic development, fostering joint efforts in addressing shared challenges, ensuring efficient and secure borders, and encouraging joint actions involving local stakeholders from neighboring regions.
“The new financial perspective we have entered is based on the lessons learned from the previous IPA perspectives (2007-2013 and 2014-2020), with the aim of ensuring the continued, smooth implementation of defined goals and priorities, which are in line with the EU enlargement strategy and Montenegro’s strategic goal regarding future EU membership.”
In addition to bringing significant benefits to our citizens, Tomašević emphasized that the implementation of Interreg projects further brings us closer to European values and standards and enhances the capacities of Montenegrin institutions and beneficiaries. She also mentioned that Montenegro, despite being the smallest country in the region, has successfully implemented a significant number of cross-border projects in the past period, which confirms that we are effectively utilizing the available resources and opportunities provided by these programs.
In conclusion, she emphasized the Ministry of Finance’s readiness to be a reliable partner and support to all beneficiaries in the implementation of their projects within this financial perspective.
On behalf of the Ministry of European Affairs, Slađana Pešić, National Contact Point for the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro program, addressed the participants.
“The SAGRI project aims to improve working conditions for farmers and agricultural workers through the adoption of guidelines for occupational health and safety. This is crucial not only for the well-being of workers but also for the sustainability and productivity of the entire sector. Through joint efforts, we can create a safer working environment and ensure a healthier future for everyone working in agriculture, in line with the relevant European Union directives.
The South Adriatic Program is one of the leaders among European territorial cooperation programs in terms of capitalization, as it provides users the opportunity to transfer results from previous projects into new geographical, social, and economic contexts. We are particularly pleased that, through this call focused on smaller-scale projects, we have been able to support new beneficiaries such as ICT Cortex, which brings valuable expertise in digital transformation and innovation. The role of ICT Cortex in this project is of particular importance, as this organization recently conducted a study and assessment of the agricultural sector and its potential in Montenegro.
This program also offers many other opportunities to strengthen cooperation between institutions and organizations from the Italian regions of Puglia and Molise, Albania, and Montenegro. Under the recently concluded standard call, 43 projects were approved, with a total value of 41 million euros, involving 49 Montenegrin partners with a budget of over 11 million euros.”
Mrs. Pešić also announced numerous new opportunities for cross-border and transnational projects in the upcoming period. She mentioned that the second call for projects under the Interreg IPA program for Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro, with a total value of about 30 million euros, was launched on March 6 and will be open until June 6. She invited interested organizations and institutions to familiarize themselves with the call’s content and to join the informational sessions organized by the Ministry of European Affairs, in collaboration with colleagues from partner countries, on April 2 in Podgorica and April 3 in Budva.
During the opening panel, participants had the opportunity to learn in detail about the existing legislative framework in the field of occupational health and safety. Representatives from the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of Montenegro, the Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate, and the Occupational Safety Association of Montenegro presented national regulations, institutional responsibilities, and challenges in their implementation, while partners from Albania and Italy shared their experiences and best practices from their countries.
A significant segment of the conference was the contribution of Michele Dinelli, a representative of the European umbrella institution for occupational health and safety – EU-OSHA. He pointed out the key steps that candidate countries need to take to achieve compliance with Directives 2009/104/EC and 2009/128/EC, as well as with Convention 184 of the International Labour Organization. His suggestions provide important guidance for fulfilling obligations that are crucial milestones for closing Chapters 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development, and 19 – Social Policy and Employment, in the EU accession process.
The conference provided a comprehensive overview of the state of occupational health and safety in agricultural companies from the three partner countries. Special focus was given to digital tools and technical solutions that can improve field safety. Participants analyzed compliance with regulations through group work, identified existing risks, and developed risk assessment models. These findings will form the basis of a joint document with recommendations and guidelines for improving occupational health and safety in agriculture.
The conference also presented the document Analysis of the State of Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture in Montenegro, along with accompanying Guidelines for Risk Prevention, created based on field visits and interviews with ten agricultural companies, as well as insights into the regulatory framework and practices in the country. This document represents an important step towards a systematic approach to improving occupational health and safety, with recommendations aligned with EU directives and international standards.
The discussions also raised important systemic issues, such as the lack of specialized inspectors, the absence of an occupational medicine institute in Montenegro, and insufficient cooperation between the labor and agriculture sectors. Despite the challenges, representatives from the companies showed a high level of readiness for change, emphasizing the need for employee education, better control of pesticide use, digital injury records, and specialized training for seasonal workers.
As part of the conference, a field visit was organized to the “13. Jul – Plantaže” company, during which participants could observe the implementation of occupational health and safety measures in a large vineyard and winery complex. This visit facilitated the exchange of experiences and insights into best practices already in place in the sector. The conference concluded with a joint session presenting the findings and next steps of the SAGRI project. A special focus will be placed on developing guidelines for improving occupational health and safety in agriculture, based on the data and experiences gathered from Montenegro, Albania, and Italy.
