Between June 13th-15th, the Geo Days of Biodiversity took place at the Vjosa River in Albania. Of the more than 400 species identified, ten percent are classified as threatened, rare or endemic, many of which are protected by international conventions according to IUCN and the Albanian Red List.

Watch this video about the GEO Days of Biodiversity at the Vjosa (June 12-15).

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 the Slovenian river section.

The Balkan rivers constitute the remaining global stronghold of the Danube Salmon (Hucho hucho). This species, among the world’s largest salmonid fishes, is very sensitive to ecosystem alteration by hydropower development. International experts came together for a workshop to assess and discuss its distribution and conservation status.

Vienna, Radolfzell, June 26, 2014. The World Bank Country Unit for Southeast Europe based in Vienna had unusual visitors this morning. Representatives of the environmental NGO Riverwatch handed over a letter of protest - signed by 77,930 people - against the proposed funding of a hydroelectric dam in the Mavrovo National Park in Macedonia. 

Stunning photos of our key areas, ambassador rivers, campaign events, biodiversity and other threatened Balkan rivers can be found HERE.  

Find out about Vjosa River’s beauty, its values and threats in this video by Adrian Guri. It features stunning views of the river, impressions of the Vjosa press conference in Tepelenë,  and many interviews.

Vienna, 10.6.2014. In cooperation with the German GEO magazine, a remarkable event will take place along the Vjosa River in Albania from June 13-15. For three days, 50 to 60 experts will range the Vjosa’s riparian zone and study its animal and plant species.

The latest issue of World Rivers Review, published by the American NGO International Rivers, features an article about the Balkan Rivers. Read about their uniqueness, their beauty, their threat, and about the Blue Heart Campaign on pages 8 and 9 in „Dam Tsunami in Balkans Threatens the “Blue Heart of Europe“

Tepelena, Radolfzell, May 8, 2014. An unusual press conference is taking place in Albania today. On the gravel islands of the Vjosa River – the last big wild river in Europe – representatives of international and national environmental groups come together with the local mayor and business people in order to propose an idea to save the Vjosa