News | Save the Blue Heart of Europe

Fishes in Mediterranean region endangered due to hydropower boom

Hydropower plants are one of the main causes for the decline of numerous fish species in the Mediterranean region. This is the result of a new study. In total, 251 endangered freshwater fish species along with their stock situation in rivers in the Mediterranean basin were recorded. The impact of existing and planned hydropower plants on these populations was also evaluated.

Wed, 07/08/2020 - 16:18

Press Release

Study

Historic decision for rivers in Bosnia & Herzegovina

++ Parliament imposes construction freeze for hydropower projects ++ Tuesday night, the Parliament of the Federation of BiH decided on a moratorium on all new small hydropower projects in the country. This means that no more new plants will be approved, and projects that have already been approved will be audited to see whether or not their approval was legally admissible.

Thu, 06/25/2020 - 11:37

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Press Release

Artists speak up for Balkan Rivers

++ On the occasion of the World Music Day on June 21^st, 40 artists support the Blue Heart campaign for the protection of Balkan Rivers ++ The musicians want to shake people up and contribute to preventing the looming destruction of nature in their home countries. Darko Rundek from Croatia, Rambo Amadeus from Serbia/Montenegro, Jelena Milušić from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Srdjan Jevdjević/Kultur Shock (USA, originally from Bosnia-Herzegovina) are only four of a total of 40 supporting artists.

Fri, 06/19/2020 - 09:58 read more

Rivers in the Green Deal

The EU Commission has now presented its 2030 biodiversity strategy within the Green Deal. It includes the target of restoring at least 25,000 kilometers of rivers. We welcome these guidelines; however, this only makes sense if the destruction of rivers is stopped at the same time.

Wed, 05/27/2020 - 14:16

ProtectWater

Crowdfunding: Let’s make Kutë GO Solar!

We need your help: Threatened in their livelihood by a proposed dam on the Vjosa, the village of Kutë in Albania – one of the most sun-kissed countries in Europe – wants to show that the destruction of Europe’s last wild river is not even necessary. They can produce their own energy on their roofs, creating more income for the community.

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 10:12

Vjosa

NEW DATE: European Rivers Summit 2021

The 2^nd edition of the European Rivers Summit, held in Lisbon, has been postponed due to COVID19. SAVE THE NEW DATE: May 20-22, 2021. 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. To get all further updates on the European Rivers Summit (ERS) Lisbon 2020 go to riverssummit.org

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 10:00

Campaign Events

New Vjosa-Aoos Studies

On her first 70 km, the Vjosa flows through Greece territory and is called Aoos. The last 20 km towards the border with Albania remain unprotected. These two studies commissioned by Pindos Perivallontiki provide evidence of the region’s biological importance as well as the need for a transboundary Wild River National Park and show that further development of hydropower is not necessary to reach the RES development goals.

Mon, 05/18/2020 - 12:43

Study

Update: nature destruction in times of pandemic

++ Residents block illegal construction of hydropower plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina ++ Today, residents and environmental activists blocked construction works on the river Bjelava and its tributary, the Mala Bjelava, despite the ban on assembly and Corona-related curfew. From 7 am, about two dozen people prevented workers from reaching the construction site. Unable to resume their works, they eventually left.

Wed, 04/29/2020 - 16:30

BiH Rivers

Key Area

Increasing destruction of nature in times of pandemic – expansion of hydropower under protection of curfew

++ Investors exploit the corona crisis for illegal construction of hydropower plants ++ Unique rivers in the Balkans at risk! ++ While Europe is in lockdown, investors are increasingly taking advantage of the unusual situation to build controversial hydropower projects in secret.

Thu, 04/23/2020 - 09:10

Press Release

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Time of the Huchen

Late March and early April is the time of the Huchen. It is the period when this fascinating species spawns in gravel rich, free-flowing rivers. The Balkan rivers, like the Sava, Drina, Una, Sana, Kupa, are the last stronghold of this globally threatened species. However, the following photos were recently taken in the Mank, a small river in Austria by Erhard Kraus.

Mon, 03/30/2020 - 15:46

Huchen

Biodiversity