Una River saved from illegal dam construction

20 August 2024—Local communities and environmental NGOs are celebrating today the news that Croatian state authorities have ordered all construction on the Una River to stop immediately.

On July 5, an investor started construction of a small hydropower plant at the source of the river - known as “Una the One” because of its unique beauty - despite it having high levels of environmental protection and without conducting necessary assessments on the environmental impact. Local communities and international activists held protests at the construction site at the Una Spring to prevent further damage from being done, while a team of Croatian and international lawyers prepared legal proceedings.

On 8 August, the state inspectorate filed a criminal complaint against the official who issued the location permit for construction on the Natura 2000 site on the basis of incomplete documentation and procedures not being followed. However, without the formal order to stop construction, the Una remained at risk and protestors were forced to maintain their protests at the site. Yesterday (19 August 2024) the state inspectorate followed up by prohibiting the investor from carrying out any further work. 

Representatives of the local group Udruga Una have welcomed the news but are now focused on ensuring that the river is protected forever and can never be damaged by construction again. Sanja Sevo, who grew up alongside the Una Spring, says: “It will take time for the Una to be restored and we will be watching to ensure this damage is put right. Now our focus turns to making sure nothing like this ever happens again and we are keen to meet with government ministers to build a vision together to protect the Una forever.”

The river, which flows over 200km from Croatia into Bosnia & Herzegovina, symbolising unity and shared heritage across borders, is a stunning natural wonder and a vital ecological and cultural resource. The river's source is one of the deepest karstic springs on Earth, and the entire headwater section is protected under the Natura 2000 network, an EU initiative to preserve habitats and species of European importance. As it flows into Bosnia and Herzegovina, parts of it are protected as a national park. 

Over the last month, #SaveUna has become a trending topic in Croatia and internationally, and Croatian and international musicians and actors have given concerts and appearances at the construction site, to show solidarity to local communities. Udruga Una, Fondacija ACT, Riverwatch, and NGOS from the international Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign have been instrumental in building momentum around the world for this cause, with environmental law charity ClientEarth providing legal support. Over 3,000 people from Croatia and around the world have written emails to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister for Construction Branko Bačić to ask for their support in protecting Una.

Ulrich Eichelmann, founder, Riverwatch says: ”This success is more than just the prevention of a small hydropower plant. It sets a precedent for other hydropower projects on the Una and its tributaries which may no longer be realized. And most importantly, this success will motivate many people in the Balkans to stand up against the destruction of nature and corruption. It is a success to keep the Blue Heart of Europe beating.”