News | Save the Blue Heart of Europe

120 river conservationists from 18 countries at the Balkan Rivers Days

During the past weekend, Belgrade became the center of European river conservationists and dam opponents. From September 25^th-27^th, 120 people from 18 countries discussed how to stop the dam tsunami in the Balkans and in other regions in Europe.

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 15:59

General

Campaign Events

Campaign brochure now available!

Download our campaign brochure and enjoy stunning photos and insightful information. DOWNLOAD HERE

Mon, 09/28/2015 - 15:34

Update of HPPs on the Balkan Rivers now available!

In a follow-up study of the initial "Hydromorphological Status and Dam Projects" study from 2012 (U. Schwarz), we included small hydropower plants as well, when previously only those over 1 MW were recorded. A total of 2,683 future hydropower projects have been recorded on the Balkan Peninsula. Additionally, 714 existing dams were found in this region.

Wed, 09/23/2015 - 14:53

General

Blue Heart of Europe in the Berliner Zeitung

An article in the renowned Berliner Zeitung reports about the uniqueness of the natural landscape in the Balkan, about the threat due to hydropower development, as well as about our campaign to save Balkan Rivers. Sorry, in German only: Das Blaue Herz Europas

Tue, 08/18/2015 - 11:04

Media

General

Three new insect species discovered in Macedonia

++ Previously unknown caddisfly and stonefly species discovered in Mavrovo National Park. Species endangered due to hydropower development. ++ One doesn’t have to travel to the Amazonas or descent to the depths of the sea in order to discover new species. A closer look at the Balkans is enough.

Wed, 08/12/2015 - 10:44

Vjosa Day in Tirana - Video Impressions

Within the context of the Blue Heart campaign, EcoAlbania oraganized the “Vjosa Day” on June 6, 2015 in a pedestrian area in Tirana. It was the closing event of the “Vjosa Tour” – series of meetings with local communities of the Vjosa valley. Watch the video impressions below. Photos can be found in the gallery.

Fri, 08/07/2015 - 12:44

Vjosa

Key Area

Campaign Events

Video: One for the River – The Vjosa Story

Watch this incredible documentary about kayaking the Vjosa - one of the last wild rivers in Europe - from its source in Greece to its mouth into the Adriatic Sea in Albania. Thank you Leeway Collective for these stunning impressions and for raising awareness about the beauty and value of this spectacular river!

Wed, 07/29/2015 - 16:12

Video

Key Area

Vjosa

Hydropower plants in Una National Park halted

The Bihać City Council has stopped the construction of two small hydropower plants in the Una National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The projected plants Martin Brod and Dobrenica undermine the very idea of a national park as protected area and would destroy one of the most magnificent rivers in the Sava River Basin.

Mon, 07/27/2015 - 15:26

General

Invitation: Balkan Rivers Days

We are happy to invite you to the Balkan Rivers Days in Belgrade this September - the first event of this kind in Europe! This free event shall be a first get-together of people from river NGOs, local initiatives, and anti-dam movements, along with fishermen, boaters and other river lovers from all over the Balkans and elsewhere.

Fri, 06/12/2015 - 13:38

General

Campaign Events

Romanian environmentalists attacked by pro-hydro thugs

While investigating illegal logging for an equally illegal hydropower plant on the river Râul Alb inside a Natura2000 area (Sălaşul de Sus, Hunedoara County), Romanian environmentalists were chased and violently attacked by a group of thugs on May 24. Find the EIA report, the press relase by the involved organisation Agent Green (scroll down for English version) as well as the video of the attack below.

Mon, 06/08/2015 - 15:40

General