River in focus: Black Drin

Country: Albania

Local partners: Group of Rural Activists of Dibra (GARD)

Project goal: To stop plans to construct the Skavica HPP mega dam, save the communities and the cultural heritage of the Dibra region from being submerged and protect the last free-flowing stretch of the Black Drin River.

Background

The Black Drin River flows through the Dibra and Kukës municipalities of northeastern Albania, shaping a landscape of exceptional ecological, cultural, and social value. Its last free-flowing stretch hosts several fish species endemic to the Balkans, as well as globally endangered species such as the turtle dove, otter, and kingfisher, alongside diverse freshwater habitats. The alluvial alder and willow forests along its banks are the largest in Albania. The historic Dibra region is also an important agricultural hub, with traditional farming of livestock, field crops, and fruit orchards. For generations, communities here have built their livelihoods, identity, and culture around the river and the land.

Ongoing threats

Habitats, species, livelihoods, and cultural heritage are at risk from the planned 210MW Skavica hydropower plant, the final dam of seven on the Black Drin before it reaches the Adriatic Sea. The project would create one of Europe’s largest reservoirs, submerging up to 15,000 hectares of farmland and forest and displacing thousands of people from more than 40 villages. Flooding Albania’s largest floodplain forests would destroy a major carbon sink, while reservoir emissions would be substantial. Critically, the dam sits on the only migration corridor connecting the last two reproducing populations of the Balkan lynx in Munella (Albania) and Mavrovo National Park (North Macedonia), putting this rare cat at risk of extinction.

The project has advanced through controversial legal and planning procedures, including a 2021 law awarding the design contract to the U.S. firm Bechtel without open tendering. A preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was rejected in 2023 due to insufficient biodiversity data, and no updated studies or feasibility assessments have been released. The lack of transparency and limited public consultation has drawn national and international scrutiny, including Bern Convention complaints and legal challenges. Despite these concerns, the project remains on the government’s agenda, raising alarms over Albania’s over-reliance on hydropower, unresolved financing, and weak institutional oversight, and leaving the risk of irreversible damage to nature and communities imminent.

How we are taking action

Local communities and NGOs are mobilising at multiple levels to defend the Black Drin and Dibra’s natural heritage. In March 2023, the Group of Rural Activists of Dibra (GARD) was founded, providing a permanent community hub to organise, share information, and engage directly with affected villages through meetings, field visits, and outreach.

Grassroots initiatives such as “Stop Skavica” combine nature excursions with workshops to raise awareness and connect residents and civil society groups about the risks of the dam. Recognising limited youth participation, the project engages young people through environmental education, camps, and cultural activities, nurturing the next generation of civic leaders.

The initiative also strengthens the scientific and advocacy foundation for long-term protection. Partnerships with research institutions, NGO coordination, and a framework for biodiversity monitoring aim to fill critical knowledge gaps. International partners, including EuroNatur and CEE Bankwatch Network, support legal action, international policy advocacy, and efforts to promote sustainable energy alternatives. By combining grassroots engagement, scientific research, and civic leadership, the project seeks to safeguard the ecological, social, and cultural integrity of the Dibra valley for the future.