150 people, including the mayors of 12 municipalities in the Shushica Valley, protested today against the diversion of water from the Vjosa National Park © Josh David Lim 

12 mayors and numerous other residents of the Shushica Valley and other regions of the Vjosa National Park, activists, lawyers and scientists gathered this morning in the village of Kuç on the banks of the Shushica River. They are protesting the plans of the government in Tirana to take the water from the Shushica and channel it to the Mediterranean

Activists on the Kamp river © Lebendiger Kamp

EVN has decided not to expand the Rosenburg power plant on the Kamp in Lower Austria. The citizens' initiative "Lebendiger Kamp", the Lower Austrian Nature Conservation Association, Riverwatch and WWF have been protesting against this project for over 10 years. "EVN's announcement that the Rosenburg power plant will not be expanded is pleasing, but can only be a first step. To get a 'living Kamp' again, it is not enough to prevent deterioration - the Kamp needs improvement. To achieve this, the dam in Rosenburg must be removed. " says Ulrich Eichelmann, Riverwatch CEO.

Neretva Science Week 2023 took place from May 30th to June 7th. A diverse team of 62 scientists from 17 countries gathered in small town Ulog, to contribute to the conservation of the Neretva river system. Here, we gathered the preliminary results of Neretva Science Week 2023, covering 19 studies or fields of expertise. They reflect the enthusiasm of involved scientists as well as convey an impression of the extraordinary value of the Upper Neretva River and Valley.

On November 11th, 2,000 nature enthusiasts and nine NGOs from across Bosnia-Herzegovina gathered in Konjic. United with slogans like "Neretva has its defenders" and "Let’s Save Neretva," they voiced their demands for authorities to halt hydropower projects in the Neretva basin, particularly the

Activist gathering in Strpce in August 2023, National Park Sharr Mountains © Ulrich Eichelmann

Save the Blue Heart has has established a new partnership with an organization in Kosovo, Gaia Kosovo! In August, an activist gathering took place in Strpce, within the Sharr Mountains National Park. Residents, local government representatives, citizen associations, NGOs, the National Park "Sharr Mountain," lawyers, and

The Narta lagoon is a hotspot for Europe's migratory birds and an important resting area © Xhemal Xherri/PPNEA

Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon. Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds. Conservation organisations filed lawsuits against destructive and illegal construction.

The river summit "Right to Rivers” organized by our Serbian partner "POLEKOL", the "Right to Water” initiative and the "Save the Blue Heart of Europe"  will take place on August 25th in Belgrade.  The event is among others, a gathering of experts and activists working to protect the rivers and nature of Serbia.

"We won't give Neretvica" © Pusti me da tecem

The concession contract for small hydroelectric power plants in the Neretvica River basin has been terminated! 15 small hydroelectric power plants, which would have irreversibly destroyed the river ecosystem will not be built. The local population has been mighty fighting these plans for

"Prijepolje doesn't want small hydro power plants" © Aida Paljevac

The Ratajska river in southern Serbia will remain free flowing and the whole river basin of may be protected in the future. This is a great success for local and national activists. Following wide protest of the local population, supported by the Serbian Blue Heart Team „Pravo na Vodu“, the Ministry of Mining and Energy stopped

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