ReInd-BBG and SteelCityZen — Nikšić on the Path to a Green and Inclusive Transition

Within the Interreg Danube Region Programme, the Municipality of Nikšić is implementing the project Reindustrialisation Following the Brownfield is Better than Greenfield Principle (ReInd-BBG), with the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia acting as the lead partner. The Municipality is also participating in the project Diversifying Labour Markets in Industrial Cities of the Danube Region via Enhanced Stakeholder Cooperation and Skills Matchmaking to Support Local Transitions and Promote Long-Term Sustainable Development (SteelCityZen), led by the Municipality of Dunaújváros. The Municipality of Nikšić is one of eleven partners from nine countries across the Danube Region.

The aim of the ReInd-BBG project is to revitalise existing brownfield sites for industrial and manufacturing purposes, reduce the development of new industrial zones on greenfield areas, and protect biodiversity in the Danube Basin. Within the project, the Municipality of Nikšić has developed an Implementation Plan for the Regional Waste Management Centre on the site of the former Steelworks, thereby directly supporting the application of circular economy principles. The planned centre will serve not only the Municipality of Nikšić but also the municipalities of Šavnik, Plužine and Žabljak, and represents an example of the industrial sector’s transition towards a green economy.

The SteelCityZen project supports the transition of single-industry cities in the Danube Region by diversifying labour markets and strengthening cooperation among local stakeholders. Project activities include:

 • Empowering employment support institutions and developing mechanisms for upskilling and reskilling in line with local economic priorities.

 • A pilot action in Nikšić: an online platform connecting employers with candidates, facilitating skills needs assessments and strengthening the local labour market.

 • Transnational cooperation and knowledge exchange among partners from nine countries, allowing best practices to be adapted to different local contexts.

The main outcomes include innovative solutions and action plans that empower municipalities, businesses, and local communities to better adapt to economic and market changes. The knowledge and experience gained will be made available for further use and replication across the Danube Region.