Who are we

5th March 2022, a group of volunteers from Montenegro, Ukraine, and Russia founded the Pristanište Foundation

Pristanište translates to “quay” and beneficiaries call it “Пристанище” (Harbor)

history

From the first days of the full-scale war in Ukraine, a group of Russian, Ukrainian, and Montenegrin volunteers emerged here in Montenegro. 5th March 2022, the first homes were opened for refugees, and gradually other programs grew – assistance in legalization, cultural events, education for children. Currently, over 3,000 people have received our help, and our volunteer movement involves nearly 500 caring individuals.

name

We named ourselves Pristanište, which means “quay” in Montenegrin. The essence is that for at least two weeks, you can just stop here when fleeing from the war. It’s a quiet harbor, a safe place. People who have been here also call us “Пристанище” (Harbor).

manifesto

Our core principles:

  • we assist all refugees affected by the war in Ukraine, regardless of nationality, combining one-time specific aid with long-term integration programs.
  • we emphasize volunteerism as a principle of voluntary and conscious involvement of compassionate individuals in addressing the unfolding tragedy’s consequences.
  • we believe in the importance of maintaining personal connections on the level of individuals and families, seeing these connections as a foundation for restoring relationships between countries in the future.

founders

Oleg Reps
Co-founder Pristanište
Vyacheslav Taran
Co-founder Pristanište
Alexander Shmelev
Publicist, editor-in-chief of the Sapere aude project. Founder and CEO of the cryptocurrency company HEO Foundation Inc.
Vladimir Shmelev
Founder of the educational company Edumonte. Co-founder of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences and schools in Bar, Herceg Novi and Podgorica.
Dragan Zharkovic
Businessman
dyakui
Big thanks to Pristaniste

Ukraine (Sumy region), 27.09.2025

We express our sincere gratitude for the shelter, for a few warm and peaceful nights, for giving us the opportunity to relax from this difficult war in a warm, sunny country.

We are very grateful to all the people who joined us to make it easier for Ukrainians — emotionally and mentally.

We appreciate your concern and respect for us.

With great gratitude, a family from Sumy region

documents

Hipotekarna Banka

Beneficiary: NEVLADINA FONDACIJA PRISTANISTE BD
Address: VELJI VINOGRADI BB, BUDVA, MONTENEGRO
PIB: 11081827
IBAN: ME25520042000001787916
Account Number: 520012000000000154

Bank of Beneficiary: HIPOTEKARNA BANKA AD PODGORICA
Branch Address: 81000 Podgorica, Josipa Broza Tita 67
BIC: HBBAMEPGXXX
Additional Information: donacija

events

photo 2026 05 26 18 16 34

We are waiting for the guys from Kharkiv

They really need at least two weeks of quiet sleep. Please, let's help them. The guys from this group have a common hobby: they all study in the same historical circle.
photo 2026 03 26 20 22 36

Let’s go together!

We are looking for helpers to go hiking and organize small walks for our guests-children from Ukraine. This is what our volunteer Alexey says, who does it regularly.
photo 2026 05 12 22 52 43

“It’s very real!” 

As part of the charity tour, Pristanište volunteers boarded the frigate "Standart", created according to drawings and technologies of the XVIII century. 
photo 2026 04 02 21 44 40

April in Pristanište: statistics, facts and some emotions

In April, 34 people lived in the Foundation's House. Most of them are students from Ukrainian universities, Kharkiv and Sumy.

for media

pristaniste-team-yana-zubtsova
Yana Zubtsova
communications manager
You can write or call with any questions
Here you can download a presentation with basic information about the Pristaniste Foundation in English, Montenegrin, Ukrainian or Russian.

partners and friends

Roman Liberov
Film director, screenwriter, producer, founder of the Ulysses Cultural Support and Preservation Foundation
Taya Zubova
Director
Alexander Shmelev
Publicist, editor-in-chief of the Sapere aude project. Founder and CEO of the cryptocurrency company HEO Foundation Inc.

contacts

assistance to refugees
contact person: Alena Oleshkina
for the press
contact person: Yana Zubtsova
We are in social networks
legal address
Budva, Crna Gora, Jadransko polje, 42

our sites

our sites

Bar Barduck
Fri–Sat 18:00–01:00, Sun 18:00–00:00
Adriatic Garden
Mon-Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 08:00–18:00
Auditoria Budva
Mon-Fri 08:00–23:00, Sat-Sun 10:00–23:00
TopBoy Barbershop
Daily from 11:00 to 21:00
Reforum Space Budva
8:00 - 23:00 weekdays; 10:00 - 23:00 weekends. Space: during events. Behind the bus station, in Moj Lab house (entrance opposite the fire station).
Focuss Space Co-working & Event Hall
Weekdays from 09:00 to 18:30. The co-working space is located in the Adriatic Open School building on the 4th floor, elevator is available.
Pixel BoardGames Club
Mon-Fri from 16:00 to 21:00, Sat-Sun from 12:00 to 22:00
Bogart Craft Beer and Coffee Pub
Mon-Sat 16:00-00:00, Sun 15:00-00:00
O2 for Soul (pottery studio)
Mon-Fri from 11:00 to 20:00. Sat from 11 to 18:30