The “Ognjište” Youth Club was officially opened yesterday at the premises of the “Ubli” Local Community in Kuči, becoming the first such space for young people in the rural area of Podgorica. With this initiative, the Capital City continues to improve youth infrastructure and create better conditions for the development, education, socialising and more active participation of young people in the life of the local community.

The opening of the “Ognjište” Youth Club represents one of the concrete steps taken by the Capital City towards improving the position of young people and creating spaces designed around their needs, particularly in the context of Podgorica’s title of European Youth Capital 2028.

On this occasion, Mayor Prof. Dr Saša Mujović expressed his great satisfaction that the first youth centre in the rural area of Podgorica was opened precisely in Kuči. “I can say that one of the most beautiful moments of my mandate as Mayor so far was when we received the news that Podgorica would become European Youth Capital 2028. I was particularly happy about this because I knew that this achievement would give Podgorica a new dimension and help shape the city around the needs of young people,” Mujović said, recalling that conversations with young people during the preparation of the application provided a better understanding of the challenges they face.

“We got to work, developed an ambitious plan that is both realistic and achievable, and our goal is to deliver everything we put on paper and presented in Brussels. The first result of that plan is precisely this Youth Centre. This is the first centre to be opened in the rural area of Podgorica, and it is a great pleasure that it is here in Kuči, a rural area with a large population,” said Mujović.

The Mayor stressed that the space should become a place for gathering, mutual support and developing new ideas. “We have reached the day when a youth club has been opened in Kuči, where young people can come together in modern conditions, support one another, and use this space as an incubator for ideas. We have no doubt that this is exactly what will happen, that the young people of Kuči are ready to be there for one another, and that we will receive good ideas from here which we will implement together,” Mujović said, announcing continued investment in youth infrastructure, with the next youth club planned in Tološi.

Secretary for Local Self-Government and Cooperation with Civil Society Slađana Anđušić emphasised that the opening of “Ognjište” is a concrete example of the Capital City’s commitment to young people and the balanced development of Podgorica.

“We are here to offer solutions to problems, and one such solution is here today. I believe this is another example of how the administration of the Capital City approaches young people and the balanced development of the city. This is a place that the young people of Kuči will shape with their energy and creativity. These are young people who will undoubtedly contribute to the local community, enjoy spending time together here and create new ideas,” said Anđušić.

Deputy Mayor Boris Spalević welcomed those present and highlighted the importance of such facilities for children and young people in Kuči. He noted that Ubli is a particularly beautiful part of Kuči and expressed his expectation that the Local Community would use the opportunity to launch new initiatives for the benefit of children and the wider community.

On behalf of the Youth Office of the Capital City, Danilo Vučinić said that the club represents a continuation of the ongoing work to strengthen youth infrastructure and youth policy, as well as further support in the context of Podgorica’s European Youth Capital title. He also recalled that the opening of several additional youth spaces designed around young people’s needs had already been announced.

Anđela Božović, President of the NGO “For the Children of Kuči”, thanked the Capital City for recognising the need of Kuči and its young people for such a space.

“I must emphasise that what is done in a village carries a special weight and importance compared to the city. In a city, one additional facility is simply one more facility, but when a young person in a rural area is given an opportunity for development and a reason to stay, this is not just another space. It is a message that this is a place worth investing in and a place from which the future can be built,” said Božović.

She announced that 12 main activities will be implemented at the youth club in the coming period, including digital literacy and IT workshops, film evenings, sports events, tourist tours, training on greenhouse farming, environmental actions, various educational and creative workshops, as well as activities aimed at networking with other organisations.

Young people from Kuči highlighted the great importance of having such a public space, noting that it was unfortunate that they had not previously had a place dedicated to their gatherings and activities. As they explained, “Ognjište” will enable them to learn, socialise, exchange experiences and develop new ideas through a variety of activities.