News | Save the Blue Heart of Europe

Join the World Fish Migration Day 2020

World Fish Migration Day 2020 is approaching, a one-day global celebration to improve the public's understanding of the importance of migratory fish and free-flowing rivers and how to reduce our impacts on them. On MAY 16^th, thousands of organizations, schools, aquariums, zoos and communities organize their local events to educate and excite people about migratory fish species and our collective reliance on healthy free-flowing rivers. Join in!

Fri, 01/17/2020 - 15:43

WFMD

Award for Stara Planina activists!

Last Friday, the Serbian citizen activist group “Let´s Defend Rivers of Stara Planina” received a special honor: at the National Theater in Belgrade, they were awarded the “Most Exeptional Team Award 2019” at the Extraordinary People Event. The group has been fighting against dozens hydropower development int the nature park Stara Planina for years and has stopped many.

Tue, 12/17/2019 - 15:30

Award

Stara Planina

Serbia

CALL FOR DONATIONS: Kutë village in Albania wants to GO SOLAR

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! Any donation until December 31 will be matched by Patagonia DONATE HERE

Fri, 12/13/2019 - 13:58

Vjosa

Donation

Save the Date: European Rivers Summit 2020

Lisbon will host the 2^nd edition of the European Rivers Summit, from 19^th to 21^st November 2020. Join us and hundreds of activists and specialists to share knowledge, network and talk about Rivers protection, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the World. Follow us to get all further updates on the European Rivers Summit (ERS) Lisbon 2020.

Wed, 12/11/2019 - 16:34

Event

Rebuke for Albania: Bern Convention insists on Albanian government to suspend hydropower projects on Vjosa river

During the recent annual meeting of the Standing Committee in Strasbourg, the Committee once again urged the Albanian authorities to suspend all preparations towards both hydropower projects until a strategic environmental impact assessment and social impact studies have been carried out.

Mon, 12/09/2019 - 14:04

Bern Convention

Vjosa

Mavrovo NP

Vacancy: Blue Heart campaign coordinator/ project manager for river protection at EuroNatur

Are you looking for an exciting job in saving the Blue Heart of Europe? Do you speak German and English? Are you willing to travel within Europe? Is river conservation dear to your heart? Then maybe you are just who we are looking for! Since 2013, EuroNatur and Riverwatch are leading the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” for the protection of Balkan rivers. Now, we are seeking a new member at EuroNatur for the international coordination team.

Sat, 12/07/2019 - 09:44

Job

Europe’s rivers are damned by dams: Plans for more than 8,700 new hydropower plants

The first pan-European inventory of existing and planned hydropower plants shows the immense pressure on rivers throughout the continent. In addition to the 21,387 existing hydropower plants, another 8,785 are planned, mainly in the Alps and the Balkans. Devastating impacts on biodiversity and society are to be expected.

Wed, 11/27/2019 - 14:50

Study

Leonardo DiCaprio raises his voice for Vjosa

The most prominent support for the Vjosa: Leonardo DiCaprio raises awareness about Europe's last wild river - the Vjosa - and the threat she is facing on his Instagram! "This is one of Europe’s last wild rivers. But for how long?⁠", he writes. The Vjosa has become world famous, she is valued for her intactness. He also points to the negative impacts of hydropower and to the important ecosystem services healthy rivers provide

Mon, 11/11/2019 - 11:03

Vjosa

Presentations of the Wild River Science Symposium

Find here all presentations of the International Wild Rivers Science Symposium and the Wild Rivers Night! Renowned scientists from USA, Japan and many European countries discussed the state of the world’s wild rivers and stress the urgency to protect the last free-flowings.

Thu, 10/24/2019 - 14:43

Science

Two days for wild river science in Albania

On October 18th and 19th, Albania became a hotspot of freshwater science. Renowned scientists from USA, Japan and many European countries participated in the Wild Rivers Science Symposium and the Wild Rivers Night in Tirana. They spent the following day on boats paddling Europe`s last big intact river – the Vjosa. Two days that connected scientists and strengthen their efforts to save the last free flowing rivers.

Wed, 10/23/2019 - 16:18

Science

Vjosa