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“Nobody has informed or consulted us about these works that have started on the river, putting our land at risk,” says Niko Gjelaj, a resident of Vukël. Photo: Qendra LUMI

Lawsuit filed to stop hydropower construction on the Cemi River

Oct 21, 2026 /

The lawsuit seeks an immediate halt to works and the nullity of the concession contract, environmental approvals, and water permits for four hydropower plants inside and on the edge of the “Albanian Alps” National Park.

Balkanrivers

WEBINAR: Una Science Week results

Oct 05, 2026 /

SAVE THE DATE

Science in the Spotlight: First results from the 2026 Una Science Week

Wednesday, 18 November 2026 | 18:00 CET | Online

Balkanrivers

Hydropower operators in Kosovo face suspensions and mandatory flow-monitoring requirements after official inspections exposed failures to maintain minimum ecological river flows. Photo: Bruno D'Amicis

Kosovo clamps down on hydropower violations

Sep 29, 2026 /

Inspections across Kosovo revealed widespread failures by hydropower operators to respect minimum ecological river flows. The Ministry introduced mandatory flow-monitoring equipment, stricter ecological flow rules, and the power to suspend water-use rights.

Balkanrivers

September 2025. The tragic result of Ulog HPP releasing oxygen-depleted water: A mass fish kill on the precious Neretva. © Hrabren Kapić, Organizacija Sportskih Ribolovaca "Konjic"

Experts warn of another ecological catastrophe

Sep 11, 2026 /

Around 60 representatives of public institutions, academia, environmental organisations, and citizens gathered today in Konjic for an expert symposium titled “Neretva - One Year Since the Fish Kill: What Were the Causes and How to Prevent a New Disaster?”

Balkanrivers

Mërtur River near the affected area (c) Melitjan Nezaj/ PPNEA

Good news for Mërtur River: KESH suspends construction works of 3 dams

Aug 18, 2026 /

KESH (Albanian Energy Corporation) has officially suspended work on three dams on the Mërtur River in the Albanian Alps.

Balkanrivers

Athene noctua perched on a barbed fence near the Vlora airport construction site. © Niels Friedrich

534 scientists sign petition to stop destruction of the Vjosa Delta

Jul 29, 2026 /

A coalition of 534 scientists from 32 countries has formally delivered a petition calling on the Albanian government to halt luxury resort developments in the Vjosa Delta and grant the area full national park protection.

Balkanrivers

300 residents and activists protested against three dams in the Mërtur River, Albanian Alps © AM – Production

Residents of Nikaj-Mërtur in the Albanian Alps protest against the construction of three dams on the Mërturi River

Jul 07, 2026 /

More than 300 residents of the Nikaj-Mërtur region in Tropojë, together with environmental activists, protest against a project to construct three dams/barriers on the Mërturi River.

Balkanrivers

This is what it looked like just a few weeks ago: a number of lorries had delivered building materials and the first areas of ecological value had already been destroyed. © PPNEA

Europe steps in: EU Parliament calls for immediate freeze on destructive developments in Albania’s protected areas

Jun 17, 2026 /

The EU Parliament today adopted its annual report on Albania, sending one of its strongest messages yet on the importance of protecting nature, upholding environmental safeguards and ensuring that EU standards are respected throughout the accession process.

Balkanrivers

Over 70 researchers from across Europe joined the Una Science Week to build the scientific case for the Una Wild River National Park. © Joshua D. Lim

Una Science Week: Scientists build the case for Europe’s next Wild River National Park

Jun 11, 2026 /

Following seven days of intensive fieldwork, an international team of over 70 scientists and students has officially concluded Una Science Week.

Balkanrivers

Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape, part of the most valuable wild river delta in Europe. Photo: A. Roshi

Illegal construction work threatens the Vjosa-Narta protected area

Jun 03, 2026 /

Serious environmental damage is currently taking place in the Vjosa-Narta protected area in Albania. Since the end of April, bulldozers and excavators have been operating in the core area of the protected landscape, clearing coastal forests, removing dunes and cutting new access roads through previously untouched habitats.

Balkanrivers

Rivers unite, dams divide

Lawsuit filed to stop hydropower construction on the Cemi River

WEBINAR: Una Science Week results

Kosovo clamps down on hydropower violations

Experts warn of another ecological catastrophe

Good news for Mërtur River: KESH suspends construction works of 3 dams

534 scientists sign petition to stop destruction of the Vjosa Delta

Residents of Nikaj-Mërtur in the Albanian Alps protest against the construction of three dams on the Mërturi River

Europe steps in: EU Parliament calls for immediate freeze on destructive developments in Albania’s protected areas

Una Science Week: Scientists build the case for Europe’s next Wild River National Park

Illegal construction work threatens the Vjosa-Narta protected area

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