{"id":9332,"date":"2026-01-13T17:56:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T14:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/?page_id=9332"},"modified":"2026-01-15T01:16:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:16:56","slug":"french-embassy-medfund-project-mne","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/","title":{"rendered":"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Silent Seas with Strong Voices<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Silent Seas with Strong Voices: Building a Wildlife Guides' Network Led by Young Women from the Local Communities of Boka Kotorska\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Duration<\/strong>: <\/span>Started on 1st of August 2025 ~ Ongoing (For 1 year)<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The project is supported by the French Embassy in close consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro. <\/b>Project under “Our Sea, Our Responsibility!” Call for Micro-projects for Marine Conservation in Montenegro.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

The goal<\/b> of the project is to launch a sustainable marine tourism campaign that shifts the focus from short-term economic gains to long-term economic and ecological benefits, while promoting science, responsible wildlife tourism, and empowering young women to become conservation leaders.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

The project will introduce community-led marine wildlife tours in Boka Kotorska as a model for co-existence between nature conservation and sustainable tourism. The wildlife tours will be announced to selected local communities in Kotor and Tivat through informal visits and media outreach, and interested individuals and companies will be invited to register for the program. A full-day training course will be held, covering information on sentinel species, the sighting network, and wildlife watch guidelines. Follow-up training for wildlife guides will take place, with a special focus on engaging young women, and will emphasize the role of guides on board. Tour boat operators who adhere to the wildlife watching guidelines and operate with trained guides on board will receive a \u201cwildlife-friendly\u201d logo to distinguish them from mass tourism operators. Social media will be strategically used throughout the project to raise public awareness and promote the conservation message to a broader audience.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

This project will promote gender equality by empowering young women to become leaders in conservation and role models through specialized training for wildlife guides and skills in nature conservation and ecotourism. In this way, they will achieve long-term economic independence<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

The direct target beneficiaries of the project are grouped into 3 categories: local communities, local authorities and relevant NGOs.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Local communities (tour boat operators, sailors, fishers, mussel farmers, divers, youth from local communities and residents of Kotor and Tivat) – these individuals will be the main participants in the project activities through wildlife watching tours.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Local authorities (Tourism Organisation of Kotor and the Municipality of Tivat) – they will be responsible for spreading information about the project\u2019s activities to the wider public<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

NGOs (Na\u0161a Akcija, MedCEM, and CZIP) – already maintain dynamic collaborations with MDR in areas such as marine research, beach clean-ups, youth education, and conservation efforts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Results<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Short-term: <\/b>The project will strengthen long-term and mutually respectful relationships with local communities, initiate wildlife tours as an alternative source of income, and foster economic independence and personal commitment to marine conservation among local youth, especially young women in Kotor.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mid-term:<\/b> Local communities, residents, and visitors will gain a better understanding of the value of Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine wildlife and its role in the ecosystem, local authorities will pay greater attention to marine conservation and the socio-economic needs of coastal communities, and a locally managed marine wildlife sighting network will be established and fully functional.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Long-term:<\/b> The negative impacts of mass tourism on Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine ecosystem will be significantly reduced, public awareness and a sense of shared responsibility for marine protection will be strengthened, more women will actively participate in marine research and conservation, and the region will serve as a model for community-led, sustainable eco-tourism in the Adriatic.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Silent Seas with Strong Voices Silent Seas with Strong Voices: Building a Wildlife Guides’ Network Led by Young Women from the Local Communities of Boka Kotorska Duration: Started on 1st of August 2025 ~ Ongoing (For 1 year) The project is supported by the French Embassy in close consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro. Project under “Our Sea, Our Responsibility!” Call for Micro-projects for Marine Conservation in Montenegro. The goal of the project is to launch a sustainable marine tourism campaign that shifts the focus from short-term economic gains to long-term economic and ecological benefits, while promoting science, responsible wildlife tourism, and empowering young women to become conservation leaders. The project will introduce community-led marine wildlife tours in Boka Kotorska as a model for co-existence between nature conservation and sustainable tourism. The wildlife tours will be announced to selected local communities in Kotor and Tivat through informal visits and media outreach, and interested individuals and companies will be invited to register for the program. A full-day training course will be held, covering information on sentinel species, the sighting network, and wildlife watch guidelines. Follow-up training for wildlife guides will take place, with a special focus on engaging young women, and will emphasize the role of guides on board. Tour boat operators who adhere to the wildlife watching guidelines and operate with trained guides on board will receive a \u201cwildlife-friendly\u201d logo to distinguish them from mass tourism operators. Social media will be strategically used throughout the project to raise public awareness and promote the conservation message to a broader audience. This project will promote gender equality by empowering young women to become leaders in conservation and role models through specialized training for wildlife guides and skills in nature conservation and ecotourism. In this way, they will achieve long-term economic independence The direct target beneficiaries of the project are grouped into 3 categories: local communities, local authorities and relevant NGOs. Local communities (tour boat operators, sailors, fishers, mussel farmers, divers, youth from local communities and residents of Kotor and Tivat) – these individuals will be the main participants in the project activities through wildlife watching tours. Local authorities (Tourism Organisation of Kotor and the Municipality of Tivat) – they will be responsible for spreading information about the project\u2019s activities to the wider public NGOs (Na\u0161a Akcija, MedCEM, and CZIP) – already maintain dynamic collaborations with MDR in areas such as marine research, beach clean-ups, youth education, and conservation efforts. Results Short-term: The project will strengthen long-term and mutually respectful relationships with local communities, initiate wildlife tours as an alternative source of income, and foster economic independence and personal commitment to marine conservation among local youth, especially young women in Kotor. Mid-term: Local communities, residents, and visitors will gain a better understanding of the value of Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine wildlife and its role in the ecosystem, local authorities will pay greater attention to marine conservation and the socio-economic needs of coastal communities, and a locally managed marine wildlife sighting network will be established and fully functional. Long-term: The negative impacts of mass tourism on Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine ecosystem will be significantly reduced, public awareness and a sense of shared responsibility for marine protection will be strengthened, more women will actively participate in marine research and conservation, and the region will serve as a model for community-led, sustainable eco-tourism in the Adriatic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9218,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9332","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE) | Montenegro Dolphin Research<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE) | Montenegro Dolphin Research\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Silent Seas with Strong Voices Silent Seas with Strong Voices: Building a Wildlife Guides’ Network Led by Young Women from the Local Communities of Boka Kotorska Duration: Started on 1st of August 2025 ~ Ongoing (For 1 year) The project is supported by the French Embassy in close consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro. Project under “Our Sea, Our Responsibility!” Call for Micro-projects for Marine Conservation in Montenegro. The goal of the project is to launch a sustainable marine tourism campaign that shifts the focus from short-term economic gains to long-term economic and ecological benefits, while promoting science, responsible wildlife tourism, and empowering young women to become conservation leaders. The project will introduce community-led marine wildlife tours in Boka Kotorska as a model for co-existence between nature conservation and sustainable tourism. The wildlife tours will be announced to selected local communities in Kotor and Tivat through informal visits and media outreach, and interested individuals and companies will be invited to register for the program. A full-day training course will be held, covering information on sentinel species, the sighting network, and wildlife watch guidelines. Follow-up training for wildlife guides will take place, with a special focus on engaging young women, and will emphasize the role of guides on board. Tour boat operators who adhere to the wildlife watching guidelines and operate with trained guides on board will receive a \u201cwildlife-friendly\u201d logo to distinguish them from mass tourism operators. Social media will be strategically used throughout the project to raise public awareness and promote the conservation message to a broader audience. This project will promote gender equality by empowering young women to become leaders in conservation and role models through specialized training for wildlife guides and skills in nature conservation and ecotourism. In this way, they will achieve long-term economic independence The direct target beneficiaries of the project are grouped into 3 categories: local communities, local authorities and relevant NGOs. Local communities (tour boat operators, sailors, fishers, mussel farmers, divers, youth from local communities and residents of Kotor and Tivat) – these individuals will be the main participants in the project activities through wildlife watching tours. Local authorities (Tourism Organisation of Kotor and the Municipality of Tivat) – they will be responsible for spreading information about the project\u2019s activities to the wider public NGOs (Na\u0161a Akcija, MedCEM, and CZIP) – already maintain dynamic collaborations with MDR in areas such as marine research, beach clean-ups, youth education, and conservation efforts. Results Short-term: The project will strengthen long-term and mutually respectful relationships with local communities, initiate wildlife tours as an alternative source of income, and foster economic independence and personal commitment to marine conservation among local youth, especially young women in Kotor. Mid-term: Local communities, residents, and visitors will gain a better understanding of the value of Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine wildlife and its role in the ecosystem, local authorities will pay greater attention to marine conservation and the socio-economic needs of coastal communities, and a locally managed marine wildlife sighting network will be established and fully functional. Long-term: The negative impacts of mass tourism on Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine ecosystem will be significantly reduced, public awareness and a sense of shared responsibility for marine protection will be strengthened, more women will actively participate in marine research and conservation, and the region will serve as a model for community-led, sustainable eco-tourism in the Adriatic.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Montenegro Dolphin Research\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DMADforNature\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-14T22:16:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"164\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"122\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@DMADforNature\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/\",\"name\":\"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE) | Montenegro Dolphin Research\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-13T14:56:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-14T22:16:56+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"me-CG\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"me-CG\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png\",\"width\":164,\"height\":122},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Anasayfa\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE)\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/\",\"name\":\"Deniz Memelileri Ara\u015ft\u0131rma Derne\u011fi\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"DMAD\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"me-CG\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Deniz Memelileri Ara\u015ft\u0131rma Derne\u011fi\",\"alternateName\":\"DMAD\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"me-CG\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/logo.png\",\"width\":140,\"height\":140,\"caption\":\"Deniz Memelileri Ara\u015ft\u0131rma Derne\u011fi\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DMADforNature\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/DMADforNature\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dmadfornature\/\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE) | Montenegro Dolphin Research","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE) | Montenegro Dolphin Research","og_description":"Silent Seas with Strong Voices Silent Seas with Strong Voices: Building a Wildlife Guides’ Network Led by Young Women from the Local Communities of Boka Kotorska Duration: Started on 1st of August 2025 ~ Ongoing (For 1 year) The project is supported by the French Embassy in close consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro. Project under “Our Sea, Our Responsibility!” Call for Micro-projects for Marine Conservation in Montenegro. The goal of the project is to launch a sustainable marine tourism campaign that shifts the focus from short-term economic gains to long-term economic and ecological benefits, while promoting science, responsible wildlife tourism, and empowering young women to become conservation leaders. The project will introduce community-led marine wildlife tours in Boka Kotorska as a model for co-existence between nature conservation and sustainable tourism. The wildlife tours will be announced to selected local communities in Kotor and Tivat through informal visits and media outreach, and interested individuals and companies will be invited to register for the program. A full-day training course will be held, covering information on sentinel species, the sighting network, and wildlife watch guidelines. Follow-up training for wildlife guides will take place, with a special focus on engaging young women, and will emphasize the role of guides on board. Tour boat operators who adhere to the wildlife watching guidelines and operate with trained guides on board will receive a \u201cwildlife-friendly\u201d logo to distinguish them from mass tourism operators. Social media will be strategically used throughout the project to raise public awareness and promote the conservation message to a broader audience. This project will promote gender equality by empowering young women to become leaders in conservation and role models through specialized training for wildlife guides and skills in nature conservation and ecotourism. In this way, they will achieve long-term economic independence The direct target beneficiaries of the project are grouped into 3 categories: local communities, local authorities and relevant NGOs. Local communities (tour boat operators, sailors, fishers, mussel farmers, divers, youth from local communities and residents of Kotor and Tivat) – these individuals will be the main participants in the project activities through wildlife watching tours. Local authorities (Tourism Organisation of Kotor and the Municipality of Tivat) – they will be responsible for spreading information about the project\u2019s activities to the wider public NGOs (Na\u0161a Akcija, MedCEM, and CZIP) – already maintain dynamic collaborations with MDR in areas such as marine research, beach clean-ups, youth education, and conservation efforts. Results Short-term: The project will strengthen long-term and mutually respectful relationships with local communities, initiate wildlife tours as an alternative source of income, and foster economic independence and personal commitment to marine conservation among local youth, especially young women in Kotor. Mid-term: Local communities, residents, and visitors will gain a better understanding of the value of Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine wildlife and its role in the ecosystem, local authorities will pay greater attention to marine conservation and the socio-economic needs of coastal communities, and a locally managed marine wildlife sighting network will be established and fully functional. Long-term: The negative impacts of mass tourism on Boka Kotorska\u2019s marine ecosystem will be significantly reduced, public awareness and a sense of shared responsibility for marine protection will be strengthened, more women will actively participate in marine research and conservation, and the region will serve as a model for community-led, sustainable eco-tourism in the Adriatic.","og_url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/","og_site_name":"Montenegro Dolphin Research","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DMADforNature\/","article_modified_time":"2026-01-14T22:16:56+00:00","og_image":[{"width":164,"height":122,"url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@DMADforNature","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/","url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/","name":"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE) | Montenegro Dolphin Research","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png","datePublished":"2026-01-13T14:56:55+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-14T22:16:56+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"me-CG","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"me-CG","@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/French-Embassy_MEDFUND-1.png","width":164,"height":122},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/french-embassy-medfund-project-mne\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Anasayfa","item":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"FRENCH EMBASSY\/MEDFUND PROJECT (MNE)"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/","name":"Deniz Memelileri Ara\u015ft\u0131rma Derne\u011fi","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#organization"},"alternateName":"DMAD","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"me-CG"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#organization","name":"Deniz Memelileri Ara\u015ft\u0131rma Derne\u011fi","alternateName":"DMAD","url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"me-CG","@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/logo.png","width":140,"height":140,"caption":"Deniz Memelileri Ara\u015ft\u0131rma Derne\u011fi"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DMADforNature\/","https:\/\/x.com\/DMADforNature","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dmadfornature\/"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9332"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9342,"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9332\/revisions\/9342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/montenegrodolphinresearch.org\/me\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}