PREVENT+ Project Launched: Joint Action for Better Prevention and More Accessible Healthcare in Montenegro and Serbia

On 2 September 2026, FORS Montenegro launched the implementation of the new cross-border project PREVENT+ – Integrated Cross-Border Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, aimed at improving the health and quality of life of people living in the Montenegro–Serbia cross-border area by strengthening the prevention of non-communicable diseases, reducing inequalities and improving access to healthcare services. The project will be implemented over a period of 24 months.

A key feature of the project is its integrated approach, combining investments in healthcare institutions and equipment with professional capacity building, preventive examinations and information and educational activities targeting citizens directly. In this way, PREVENT+ seeks not only to improve the quality of healthcare services, but also to encourage greater use of opportunities for disease prevention and early detection.

The main project activities include the procurement of modern medical equipment and vehicles for healthcare institutions, cross-border training and a study visit for healthcare professionals, as well as training on the use of newly procured equipment. One of the key components of the project will be a cross-border preventive examination campaign for people living in urban and rural areas, accompanied by specific activities aimed at encouraging the participation of vulnerable groups. The project will also include a cross-border health fair and a youth camp on healthy lifestyles, educational lectures and workshops, information activities in local communities, a media campaign, publications and other educational materials, a survey on people’s knowledge and attitudes regarding non-communicable diseases, as well as the development of a digital platform providing easier access to useful information on health and disease prevention.

An important part of PREVENT+ is also dedicated to strengthening cross-border cooperation between healthcare institutions in Montenegro and Serbia. To this end, a cross-border conference and workshops will be organised, while the experience gained during project implementation, the results of preventive examinations and the survey, expert analyses and good practices will provide the basis for the development of joint Recommendations for Strengthening Integrated Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases.

The project is implemented by FORS Montenegro – Foundation for the Development of Northern Montenegro, in partnership with General Hospital “Studenica” Kraljevo and Primary Health Care Centre Nikšić. Activities will be implemented across 24 municipalities – Andrijevica, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Gusinje, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Nikšić, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Plužine, Rožaje, Šavnik and Žabljak in Montenegro, and Nova Varoš, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Kraljevo, Vrnjačka Banja, Novi Pazar, Raška, Tutin and Ivanjica in Serbia. In the long term, the project results are expected to contribute to improved healthcare and quality of life for people living in the cross-border area.

The PREVENT+ project is funded by the European Union under the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Serbia–Montenegro 2021–2027.