Even the youngest residents fight for their rivers, here in North Macedonia © Front 21/42

Wave of protest against Balkan dam building frenzy

Jul 16, 2019 /

++ First ever international Action Weeks for Balkan Rivers ++ People took to the streets in many countries of the Balkan region ++ They protested against the destruction of the last wild river landscapes in Europe ++ From July 6 to 16, 2019 around 1000 people took part in protests in Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece against hydropower expansion on the Balkan rivers.

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The Vjosa's mouth into die Adriatic Sea. Once sediments are being trapped behind the projected dam walls, significant coastal erosion would be the result. © Piotr Bednarek / Wolne Rzeki

New Vjosa study: hardly any energy, no sand for the beach

Jun 28, 2019 /

++ Sediment study of the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) proves serious consequences of the planned power plants on the Vjosa ++ For over a year, scientists from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) have been studying the sediment transport of the Vjosa river for different high and low water phases

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At the official presentation of our vision for the future of the Vjosa – Europe’s first Wild River National Park – on June 6th (Vjosa Day) © Ogerta Ujkashi

Vision for Vjosa: Europe’s 1st Wild River National Park!

Jun 27, 2019 /

Recently, we presented our vision for Europe´s first Wild River National Park, protecting the Vjosa and her tributaries along her entire course in Albania from source to sea, instead of destroying it with dams. However, the idea only works if free-flow and connectivity is preserved. Read OUR FACTSHEET to learn about possible borders, sizes and how this Wild River National Park could be implemented!

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Watch 'Blue Heart' online for free!

Jun 25, 2019 /

Have you seen ‘Blue Heart’ yet? No? Well, it’s your lucky day, because it is now available for free on youtube – with subtitles in 11 languages!  The documentary “Blue Heart”, produced by Farm League on behalf of Patagonia, follows our campaign and other, local stakeholders through the Balkans to document the crime committed on Europe’s last river jewels and on communities who live by them.

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Action Weeks for Balkan Rivers in July

Jun 18, 2019 /

Thousands of people are affected by the projected dam tsunami in the Balkans. Many of them are fighting back – they are determined to protect their river, whatever the cost - “We give our life, but not our river” is a common attitude. Together we are stronger - we must support and unite them in their fight, tell their stories and protest with them in solidarity. Join us at the Balkan-wide Action Weeks in July!

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The Drina is the most important lifeline for the endangered Huchen (Hucho hucho). The species is particularly vulnerable to dam construction © Matic Oblak

Drina: Environmental permit for Buk Bijela hydropower plant cancelled

Jun 05, 2019 /

In late May, the Banja Luka District Court cancelled the environmental permit for the planned 93 MW Buk Bijela hydropower plant on the river Drina in Bosnia-Herzegovina on the basis of a complaint submitted by the Aarhus Centar in 2018. The Drina is also the most important habitat of the endangered Danube Salmon, found only in some of the cleanest rivers in the Danube basin of southeast Europe.

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The Neretva in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fate of many Balkan rivers depends on enviornmental standards of financiers. As so often: follow the money to find the bug. © A. Vorauer

EBRD tightens standards in response to Balkan hydropower boom

May 17, 2019 /

As a result of public resistance to small-scale hydropower projects in the Balkans, and in consequence to the milestone bank summit between the financial sector and green activists on March 1st, the EBRD is considerably tightening its standards: the bank will ask commercial banks to refer all high-risk projects – including all hydropower plants – for additional checks, starting with 2020.

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One hydropower plant on the Zirovnicka river inside Mavrovo NP has been cancelled, but more are planned. The fight continues. © Front 21/42

Mavrovo: concession procedure for HPP Zirovnica 3 cancelled!

May 16, 2019 /

On May 14th 2019, the Government of Republic of North Macedonia decided to cancel the concession procedure for a low-performing hydropower project on the Zirovnicka river inside Mavrovo National Park, on the basis of a request for annulment, submitted by Blue Heart partner Front 21/42. The project was violating national and international law and undermined the protection status of the national park.

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