DIGITAL NOMADS JOURNEY THROUGH BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND MONTENEGRO

A unique cross-border initiative bringing together digital nomads from around the world is currently taking place across Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina through the STAR Residency program, funded by the European Union.

The program gathers international remote work professionals with the goal of promoting the region as an attractive destination for long-term stays and remote work, while also strengthening the capacities of local tourism operators and communities.

Over the course of one month, a group of experienced digital nomads is traveling through Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, combining remote work with the exploration of local destinations, cultural heritage, and authentic community experiences.

One of the participants, Michael Cohen, described the journey as far more than a typical tourist trip.

“I’m two days into my multi-week journey through Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the STAR Nomad Residency program. There’s something about moving slowly through unfamiliar terrain — crossing borders, changing rhythms, adapting to new towns and rural environments for a few days at a time — that strips away everything unnecessary. Over the next month, together with my fellow STAR Nomad Residency participants, I expect to experience and document what life and work on the road truly looks like for digital nomads: the practical challenges, unexpected advantages, and community gathering places such as Code Hubs in Nikšić and Mostar, where digital nomads naturally connect. By mid-May, I hope to have a collection of stories, experiences, and useful insights worth sharing,” Cohen said.

The residency focuses on authentic experiences, encouraging participants to stay longer in selected destinations and use local tourism services. The itinerary includes a wide range of locations across both countries.

In Montenegro, the route covers Podgorica, Mojkovac, Kolašin, Šavnik, Žabljak, Plužine, Nikšić, Herceg Novi, and Kotor. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, participants will visit Ravno and the Vjetrenica cave, Stolac, Čapljina and Hutovo Blato Nature Park, Ljubuški, Mostar, and Grude.

Organizers emphasize that the project is not designed as a traditional sightseeing tour, but rather as a combination of work, exploration, and content creation.

Participants will share authentic stories, recommendations, photographs, and videos through their personal and project-related social media channels, with a special focus on lesser-known destinations and local service providers. The aim is to contribute to the long-term visibility and positioning of the region as a sustainable destination for remote work and slow travel.

A key aspect of the initiative is collecting practical insights into the needs of digital nomads — from infrastructure and accommodation to service quality and the overall experience of living and working remotely in the region. These findings are expected to help improve tourism products and support the international positioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro within the growing global remote work market.

According to the organizers, the STAR project is focused on strengthening the capacities of tourism operators, developing innovative cross-border tourism products, and promoting both countries as destinations for sustainable travel and remote work.

The most engaging part of the program is expected to come directly from the field, as participants document their interactions with local communities and offer a different perspective on the region — one shaped by longer stays rather than short visits.

The journey, experiences, and recommendations of the digital nomads can be followed through the social media channels of INTERA and Tehnopolis, where regular updates, photos, short videos, and route visuals are being shared.

The project is implemented by INTERA Technology Park in partnership with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis and the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro within the IPA III CBC Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027 Program.