1,500 people from 37 villages signed the pipe petition when it toured through the valley © Geri Bleta

A pipe for Prime Minister Edi Rama

May 27, 2024 /

Last Saturday, representatives of the communities of the Shushica river valley and other locals from Vlora and Vjosa valley travelled to Tirana to hand over a special petition to Prime Minister Edi Rama. People from 37 villages in the valley have united in a powerful statement against the water abstraction project from the Shushica River.

Balkanrivers
The Vjosa and the neighbouring deltas of the Shkumini and Semani rivers in Albania constitute the last large intact deltas in the Mediterranean Basin. © Joshua D. Lim

Vjosa Delta Science Week 2024: Science Delegation Explores Intact Vjosa Delta

Apr 26, 2024 /

From 22 to 28 April 2024, a science delegation from Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy collected multidisciplinary data in the partially undiscovered and intact Vjosa Delta. Every observation of this expedition aims to unveil the ecological importance of this area and advocate for its inclusion in the Vjosa Wild River National Park (WRNP) in accordance with IUCN standards.

Balkanrivers
The triple deltas in a glance: the Vjosa Delta, the Semani Delta and the Shkumbin Delta (c) Google Earth 2023

The Perilous State of Mediterranean Deltas

Apr 15, 2024 /

Deltas, where rivers meet the sea, are intricate landscapes shaped by millennia of natural forces. However, they're not just facing challenges; they're in crisis. A comprehensive study delves into Mediterranean deltas, revealing a story of resilience and the urgent need for conservation. 258 deltas and river mouths in the Mediterranean Sea have undergone assessment. Shockingly, a mere 4% of these vital ecosystems remain in their pristine, untouched state today.

Balkanrivers
In this tree nursery, native tree species will grow until tall enough to be replanted at the Vjosa’s shore. It is part of the ReForestVjosa Project © Elona Shkembi/EcoAlbania

Celebrating International Day of Forests: ReForestVjosa Project launched

Mar 27, 2024 /

On this year’s International Day of Forests on March 21st, we are proud to inaugurate our first tree nursery along the picturesque banks of the Vjosa River. The inauguration ceremony, held in Tepelena, marked the official launch of the ReForestVjosa project, a comprehensive reforestation initiative aimed at revitalizing the Vjosa's ecosystem and mitigating erosion along its shores.

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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 

Protest on the Albanian Shushica River: Vjosa National Park in danger

Feb 24, 2024 /

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

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Preliminary Report of the Neretva Science Week 2023

Jan 23, 2024 /

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.

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Protest Against HPP Ulog on the Neretva Held in Konjic

Dec 14, 2023 /

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

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

Activist gathering held in Kosovo

Sep 22, 2023 /

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

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