Crnogorski
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The Heart of Ulcinj Beats Stronger: Together for More Accessible and Greener Public Spaces
The courtyard of the Ulcinj Cultural Center has been given a new look – modern urban furniture has been installed, making this public space more functional and pleasant for all citizens. Benches adapted for breastfeeding, feeding, and baby changing, as well as improved access for persons with disabilities, have made this micro-location an inclusive and welcoming communal space.
This initiative was implemented within the project “The Heart of Ulcinj”, carried out by the informal group “Mothers for Mothers” in partnership with UNDP, through the program “Together for the Common Good.”
At the opening, the President of the Ulcinj Municipal Assembly, Ivana Jančić Popović, emphasized that “this place is slowly becoming the heart of Ulcinj” and expressed her readiness to continue supporting similar initiatives in the future.
The initiators of the project, journalists Arjona Resuljani and Eliana Peku, later joined by Zenepa Lika from NGO MSJA and the director of the Ulcinj maternity ward, Dr. Zylfije Duraku, spoke about the importance of the project and the benefits of breastfeeding. Dr. Duraku sent a message to young mothers: “Breastfeeding is a great blessing – it should happen whenever the baby is hungry. No matter where that may be.”
Zenepa Lika reminded that by installing benches for breastfeeding and providing access for persons with disabilities, the initiators demonstrated understanding and respect for the different needs within the community:
“This is a clear message that every child deserves a space to play and grow without obstacles, every mother deserves peace and dignity, and every person with a disability deserves a sense of welcome and safety.”
In addition to the courtyard of the Cultural Center, benches for mothers and children have also enriched the park at Mala plaža and Valdanos. Alongside infrastructural improvements, the initiative also included educational activities, as well as those focused on ecology.
Children participated in the workshop “For the Environment”, led by preschool teacher Arlinda Resulbegović, and later took part in the October planting of a small orchard in the courtyard of the Cultural Center. Together with their parents, they planted cherries, mandarins, strawberries, and other native fruit species, learning about the importance of preserving nature, healthy habits, and responsibility toward the community. Informational boards about the nutritional value and cultivation of the plants were also installed in the area, turning the space into a place of informal education.
The initiative will soon be rounded off with a large cleanup action involving citizens, institutions, and organizations from Ulcinj. This final activity symbolically unites all previous efforts and confirms that togetherness and care for shared spaces represent the true foundation of social cohesion.
On behalf of the group “Mothers for Mothers”, Arjona Resuljani stated that she is proud that her fellow citizens recognized a challenge within the community and initiated the action – thereby undoubtedly showing responsibility and solidarity.
The program “Together for the Common Good” is implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro and funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. Support for citizen groups in implementing their ideas is provided by NGO Juventas.
