The Shushica water abstraction project in the Vjosa River basin is at a critical juncture. The Albanian government plans to transfer significant water from the river to supply water for coastal mass tourism. The project is funded by German KfW Bankengruppe and the EU's Western Balkan Investment Framework and constructed by the Austrian STRABAG. This mass tourism initiative jeopardises the Vjosa Wild River National Park's integrity and reopens the opportunity to exploit this wilderness area. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment used for permitting and funding was flawed, with no proper assessment of the impact the project would have on the Shushica. Not to mention, the public consultation process was seriously deficient: the locals learned about the project when the caterpillars arrived.

On 30 January 2024, a Save The Blue Heart and scientists delegation visited the construction site on the Shushica River, engaged with locals, and was joined by journalists. The construction works were ongoing at full speed and had already touched the Wild River National Park, despite the promises of halting work until the impact on the environment was assessed.

On 31 January 2024, the delegation met with the Deputy Minister for Environment, Almira Zebi Xhembulla, and highlighted that this project risks the NP status of the Shushica River or at least parts of it. The ecological consequences of water abstraction could lead to the total extinction of species.

On 24 February, the mayors from the Shushica Valley gathered to protest the nature-destroying plans for the Shushica. They were joined by locals living in the villages located along Shushica Valley in Southern Albania, showing their revolt against the Himara Water Supply project, which plans to divert the water flow from Lëpusha source through aqueducts and channel it to the Ionian coast. As a consequence, 30 villages and thousands of their inhabitants in the area are affected. 

On 25 May 2024, representatives of the Shushica River Valley community and other locals from Vlora and Vjosa valleys travelled to Tirana to hand over a special petition to their Prime Minister Edi Rama: a blue pipe adorned with 1,500 signatures—the same kind of pipe that is threatening their valley and a part of the newly established Vjosa National Park.

On 12 July 2024, the Brave Women of Kruščica joined forces with Shushica Valley locals, forming a symbolic human chain across the Shushica in front of Brataj’s historic bridge to fight the destructive water abstraction project. Their united stand highlights the urgent need to protect this Vjosa tributary.

We urge the ministry Ministria e Turizmit dhe Mjedisit to halt construction immediately, conduct a thorough Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, and explore alternative drinking water resources for the coast. This fight is still ongoing.