Montenegro, which does not require visas, has become an attractive destination for Russian migrants, particularly environmental experts, eco-villagers, and lifestyle activists (see Figure 1: Montenegro, categories 1, 3, and 4). Many migrants, especially those without employment or residence permits, undertake monthly visa runs. Since the war in Ukraine, educational institutions in Montenegro have grown significantly. In 2024, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences became Montenegro’s first liberal arts college. The Private Adriatic College expanded into independent schools across several towns, and the Cosmos private school and kindergarten, originally in Budva, opened a new branch in Bar in 2023, drawing many families. An environmentalist now heads the school, involving students in transnational environmental projects and maintaining an educational permaculture garden.
Environmentalists in Budva engage with events organized by Reforum, which unites opposition voices, and Coffee Auditorium, which hosts lectures by distinguished speakers. One informant is active in the Libertarian community, which fosters green initiatives. Their Libero City project aims to create an environmentally friendly space for co-working, business development, and socializing, with plans for solar panels and a permaculture garden, though these were still in the early stages as of July 2024.
Russian-speaking migrants have organized environmental initiatives, such as the Green Adriatic network, which focuses on beach cleanups and educating the public about waste management and recycling. Its volunteer branch, Reciklažica, operates in multiple coastal towns, including Bar, Sutomore, Budva, Tivat, Kotor, Herceg Novi, and Kumbor. Volunteers collect and deliver separated waste to the recycling center in Kotor monthly. Reciklažica also supports stray animals. Individuals with experience in Russian eco-villages, as well as with the Global Eco-Village Network and the Deep-Life Gathering initiative, established the Mountain Land Project in Montenegro. This project, situated near Mojkovac, involves cooperatively purchased land and an intentional community guided by sociocratic decision-making processes. The land is used collectively for summer camps and various festivals, including those focused on music, education, biology, and meditation. The project emphasizes sustainability, with participants using a common house, mostly staying in tents, preserving surrounding forests, and planning to establish a permaculture garden. This initiative is developing successfully. Overall, these developments illustrate the diverse and dynamic nature of Russian migrant contributions in Montenegro, encompassing education, political activism, environmental stewardship, and community building.