D.2.1.2 - PP5 Community Workshop in Cetinje: Co‑Creating Practical Solutions for Better Rural Living

In July, Danube4Rural.com partner 5, Old Royal Capital Cetinje, hosted a community workshop in Cetinje (Montenegro) to discuss the future of the Rijeka Crnojevića pilot area.

What the community validated

💬The message was clear: Rijeka Crnojevića has strengths for remote workers, including a striking natural setting, tranquillity, cultural heritage and local food. But these cannot make up for missing basics. Stakeholders agreed on a phased approach. First come infrastructure, transport, connectivity and essential services. Next comes mapping of housing suitable for remote workers. Additional cultural and quality-of-life services follow after that.

Key community‑endorsed directions 🌱

🚌 Public services & social infrastructure were named the first priority and the foundation for everything else. The main needs are regular public transport, better roads, reliable internet, and access to healthcare and emergency medical assistance.

🏡 Housing ranked as the second priority. Participants proposed a structured inventory of public and private properties, including unused or underused houses and apartments and owners open to renting. It would record condition, utilities, and connectivity, and serve as the evidence base for the "Houses of Rijeka Crnojevića" concept.

💻 Digital & co‑working infrastructure: reliable internet and suitable workspaces were seen as prerequisites for remote work. Under the proposed "Work from Nature" concept, remote workers and freelancers from the wider Cetinje area could test structured working periods in Rijeka Crnojevića and give feedback on connectivity, workspace, mobility and services before any wider rollout.

🌳 Green & environmental policies: the landscape, outdoor opportunities and quiet rural environment were recognised as key advantages. They will play a complementary role once essential living and working conditions are in place.

🫶 Well‑being, recreation, culture & education: cultural events, heritage interpretation, recreational and educational content, and orientation support for newcomers were welcomed as a later-stage step. They would help new and temporary residents feel at home. Participants agreed that a realistic, step-by-step approach can make Rijeka Crnojevića an attractive place to live and work remotely. That means fixing the basics first, mapping available homes, testing conditions through Work from Nature, and then building on the area's natural and cultural assets.