General

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.
 

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.

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.

We are producing a short film about people who want to keep their rivers free from hydropower plants. We need your help for that! This is the idea: film yourself in front of a river that is threatened by a hydropower project while saying the following sentences: “This is (name of the river). I love my river and I don´t want it to be damed. Save the Blue Heart of Europe." Pleases say it both in English and in your native language.

++ 113 hydropower plants projected in national parks ++ Next Sunday, on May 24^th, is the “European Day of Parks” – a day to celebrate protected areas in Europe and advertise their values and benefits. However, particularly on the Balkans there is little reason to celebrate. On the contrary, a recent study shows that 535 projects  are currently planned within strict nature conservation areas, 113 of which in the midst of national parks.

Is small hydropower greener than mega dams? Do they make sense economically? Watch this cartoon and find out about the many "benefits" of small hydropower developments.

On the occasion of this year’s World Water Day, the “Big Jump” initiative has introduced the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign and called for action: Raise your voice in solidarity for some of the last remaining wild rivers of Europe

Big honour for the Balkan Rivers: On Friday night, the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” received two awards in Vaduz. Next to grand prize winner Ulrich Eichelmann, EuroNatur president Christel Schroeder was also awarded with a Binding Prize.

Last night, Riverwatch CEO Ulrich Eichelmann and coordinator of the Blue Heart of Europe campaign was awarded one of the most significant environmental awards of Europe, the “Great Binding Prize for Nature Conservation”, in Vaduz/Liechtenstein. He received this honor for his international commitment to the protection of rivers.

Next spring, we will present a 15-20 minutes documentary about the Balkan Rivers – their uniqueness and threats. Sneak a peek and watch the trailer!  Please tell your friends!