The official launch of the WiFi4WB initiative on February 11 marked the beginning of the establishment of free public Wi-Fi networks in 24 municipalities across Montenegro, as part of a coordinated series of kick-off events held throughout the Western Balkans.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Public Administration Marash Dukaj said that access to the internet is no longer a luxury but a basic prerequisite for active participation in modern society, according to the ,inistry statement.

He stressed that the WiFi4WB initiative will strengthen digital infrastructure at the local level, reduce the digital divide and lay the foundations for a public administration tailored to citizens’ needs.

The WiFi4WB initiative is part of the wider EU4Digital programme, co-financed by the European Union and the Government of Germany and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Administration.

Inspired by the EU’s WiFi4EU programme, which enabled free internet access in more than 7,000 communities across Europe, the project will provide citizens and visitors with free Wi-Fi in public spaces such as squares, parks, libraries, schools and cultural institutions.

A central ceremony was held at the House of Culture in Danilovgrad, attended by representatives of the Montenegrin government, the European Union, Germany, local authorities and project partners.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Municipality of Danilovgrad and GIZ, followed by the symbolic activation of the first Wi-Fi hotspot, officially launching the initiative on the ground.