Gathering to celebrate and dream even bigger
Every year, dozens of people gather on the common lands of Sinjajevina to help protect the mountain, preserve Montenegro's pastoral way of life and support the community's ongoing fight to defend both.
They answer the call of the Civic Initiative Save Sinjajevina, an ILC member, whose traditional camp brought together around 80 people from nearby communities and different countries from 10 to 14 July.
Over four days, the gathering was a space to celebrate the battles to preserve the pastoral way of life on Sinjajevina, share knowledge on the gathering and use of medicinal plants, and discuss issues such as customary tenure and the role of women in the mountains. Participants also visited nearby katuns, traditional high-altitude settlements at the heart of Balkan pastoral life, as well as local water springs.
A special tribute to this socio-ecological system was organised by the Film Centre of Montenegro, when more than 300 people, including Montenegro's Prime Minister, gathered for the screening of To Hold a Mountain, the 2026 film awarded Best Foreign Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, which portrays the beauty and the struggle of the Sinjajevina story.
Many reasons to celebrate and keep hope alive
This year's camp felt particularly special, marking the anniversary of a community victory: halting the installation of a military polygon on the territory. One year earlier, on 10 July, Montenegro's Prime Minister made the announcement.
Hope is further fuelled by an initiative looking to create a protected area on Sinjajevina that respects customary pastoral governance, now gaining traction and support from municipalities. The proposal was recently submitted by the National Land Coalition of Montenegro to the central government and local authorities.
There was more to celebrate too: the inclusion of Sinjajevina in April 2026 in the ICCA Registry, managed by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. The registry recognises it as one of the largest continuous mountain pastures in Europe with high socio-ecological significance.
The camp brought together representatives from numerous organisations within the ICCA Consortium Europe, which held its Regional Assembly alongside this year's gathering, a sign of recognition and support for efforts to safeguard this precious socio-ecological system.
What's next: continuing the fight, this time bigger
In collaboration with and support from ILC, the National Land Coalition Montenegro (hosted by Civic Initiative Save Sinjajevina itself) is expanding its scope, moving from campaigns to protect Sinjajevina towards a nationwide effort to recognise the governance of pastoral commons based on katuns, securing rights and livelihoods across the whole of Montenegro.
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A goal that carries special resonance in 2026, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and one we will continue to support staunchly for as long as necessary.
Photos: Miloš Vujović
