Skopje, October 21, 2014 The controversial hydropower project Boskov Most inside the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia is estimated to be twice as expensive as originally projected. This will be one of the topics discussed at today’s meeting of NGOs with members of the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The NGOs demand the bank’s withdrawal from hydro projects in the national park.

One of the key areas in our campaign is the Sava River, which has been under high anthropogenic pressure. The international coordination team is in a partnership with the Croatian Society for Bird and Nature Protection for the protection of the Croatian Sava. To supplement the Team Sava, the coordination team is currently looking for a national coordinator for Croatia and countries downstream (Bosnia&Herzegovina and Serbia).

The September print edition of the renowned German magazine GEO featured an article about the GEO Days of Biodiversity at the Vjosa River in Albania. Now, the article went online: Europas letzter wilder Fluss Since it is only available in German read a partial translation here:  

The renowned German environmental magazine natur published a 4-page article about the dam-tsunami on the Balkan Peninsula and our campaign in the three key areas. Sorry, in German only! Stab in the Blue Heart

Dams have in every case tremendous negative effects on the environment. Watch this interactive illustration of dams and their consequences… and how to solve the problems: Interactive Video

Friends of the Balkan Rivers produced this neat "Save the Vjosa" remix featering stunning Vjosa views. Enjoy! Save the Vjosa! (Lava 303 feat. Blue Heart of Europe)

New infrastructure plans will increase flood risk. Zagreb, 19th Sept 2014. While the worst part of the recent floods in the Sava basin seem to be over, it is crucial to analyse their drivers and consider the lessons to be learned. Four facts need to be highlighted in connection with the Sava flood:

Vienna, September 9, 2014. One of Europe‘s oldest national parks shall remain free of new dams. 97,804 people signed a letter of protest against two projected hydropower plants inside the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia. Today, the petition was handed over to the Macedonian Prime Minister Nicola Gruevski.

We have already collected over 92,000 signatures for the preservation of the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia and against the two intended hydro dams inside the park. Those dam projects put the habitat of the last Balkan Lynxes at risk, along with many other species. HELP US REACH 100.000 SIGNATURES BY MONDAY! Please sign the petition and tell your friends!

Vienna, Radolfzell, August 21, 2014. In the context of the Days of Biodiversity – an initiative of the German GEO magazine – a remarkable field research event took place at the Vjosa river in Albania in mid-June. Results will be published in the latest issue of the GEO magazine, which will be available on August 22.