Environmental challenges, which have taken on global proportions in the past decades, have become a powerful catalyst for changes in the approach to the sustainability of economic systems. Evident and often irreversible damages caused to the planet by the existing methods of action require the urgent adoption of new models that enable the regeneration of ecosystems and the restoration of natural resources to the closest possible original state. In this context, the regenerative economy is emerging as a strategic response to increasingly pronounced environmental problems. Countries with more developed environmental awareness have recognized the importance of this concept, introducing it through concrete policies and practices that balance economic development and nature conservation. Although Montenegro was formally declared an ecological state in 1991, the principles of the regenerative economy have not yet been fully recognized or implemented. Nevertheless, the geographical position, exceptional natural beauty and significant tourist and agricultural potential provide Montenegro with a unique opportunity to become a leader in the Western Balkans in the development of regenerative practices. However, transition processes, political instability and economic uncertainties continue to slow progress towards a more environmentally conscious society. Regenerative approaches, such as sustainable tourism, regenerative agriculture, efficient waste management and the development of renewable energy sources, are key mechanisms by which Montenegro can achieve the goals of a regenerative economy. Despite challenges, the goal of this paper is to identify limitations through the analysis of the current situation and offer concrete recommendations for the improvement and implementation of regenerative principles, in order to direct Montenegro towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

The infrastructure investment could strongly influence the economic growth in the Western Balkans countries and contribute to improved regional cooperation and reconciliation and to faster integration into the EU. However, it is essential that...

Waste management systems play a crucial role in enhancing resilience by ensuring resource availability and reducing environmental vulnerabilities linked to improper disposal. While there is a great interest in waste system, literature did not look waste system as a network. Thus, existing studies often focus on isolated waste chains or descriptive analyses, overlooking the systemic, networked nature of industrial ecosystems and their exposure to shocks. This paper adopts a graph-theoretic approach to model waste flows as a spatial network of interconnected sectors, where nodes represent waste-generating and waste-utilizing industries, and edges denote material transfer pathways. By conceptualizing waste systems as directed and weighted networks, the study provides a robust analytical framework to assess connectivity, efficiency, and resilience under varying operational conditions. The results, validated through a massive simulation framework of 500 independent experiments, demonstrate how different material allocation strategies dictate system stability. Global sensitivity analysis reveals that recycling efficiency is the primary driver of network resilience, whereas strict purity requirements and linear consumption patterns significantly increase system vulnerability. These findings underscore that waste optimization is a critical component of resilience-building in industrial ecosystems. The study contributes a transferable methodological framework for spatial economics, offering a scalable approach for managing complex resource interdependencies in circular economies.

Urban biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, enhancing the quality of life, and supporting sustainable urban development. However, rapid urbanization, economic activities, and inadequate management strategies pose significant challenges to biodiversity conservation in Montenegro's cities. This paper examines the current state of urban biodiversity in Montenegro, analyzing key socioeconomic aspects that influence its management. It explores the impact of urban expansion, economic policies, and community engagement on biodiversity preservation, highlighting both the benefits and challenges associated with sustainable governance. Additionally, the paper provides recommendations for improving biodiversity management through institutional reforms, economic incentives, and increased public awareness. By addressing these socioeconomic dimensions, the study aims to contribute to the development of integrated policies that balance urban growth with environmental sustainability.