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The village of Kutë don't want the Vjosa dammed. They are resisting the hydropower project. ©  Andreas Götz

We need your help!! Donate to the project and help to show that there is no need indeed for dams on Vjosa. Most of the villagers’ arable land would be drowned in the proposed dam reservoir. Instead, they can produce their own energy on their roofs, creating more income for the community, and save Europe’s last wild river at the same time! DONATE HERE

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

++ 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

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

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!

The Vjosa in Albania – Europe‘s last untouched river beauty – is at risk. © Gregor Subic

Today, the Energy Community Secretariat received a complaint against the Albanian Government. EcoAlbania, Riverwatch and EuroNatur – the three organisations behind the campaign for the protection of the Vjosa River in Albania – have raised concerns about the procedures for the Kalivaç and Poçem hydropower projects (HPP) not being in line with Energy Community rules.

Tomorrow, Tuesday (July 17) at 19:40, the documentary "Europe's last wild river - is a dam threatening Albania's nature" about the Vjosa - the fight against the projected dams, and why this rivers is so important to scientists - will be aired on ARTE! Don’t miss it! Sorry, in German only… Find more info HERE

On-the-spot appraisal at the Vjosa. This is where the hydropower plant Pocem is projected to be built. © EuroNatur

++ Representatives of the Bern Convention emphasize the conservation value of the river ++ Albanian Government signs concession contracts for HPP Kalivac nevertheless ++ Representatives of the Bern Convention visited the Vjosa in order to investigate to which extent plans for hydropower development are jeopardizing the objectives of the Bern Convention. The on-the-spot appraisal was accompanied by an independent expert.

Water sampling and measurements of primary production at the Shushica, a tributary to the Vjosa in the far east, where snowmelt is long gone. The river is characterized by large boulders and crystal-clear water. © Thuile-Bistarelli

Between April 17th and May 6th, eleven scientists went on an expedition to collect data on biodiversity as well as ecosystem functions for the entire Vjosa river network. With great effort, 300 river kilometers were sampled by use of the most state-of-the-art methods and equipment. The Vjosa’s exceptional value was confirmed once more:

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