Balkan rivers are some of Europe’s last wild and little-studied ecosystems. Major data gaps remain, and much existing knowledge has been lost in translation — yet this also means there’s still so much to discover.

But time is running out: the region’s Blue Heart is under threat from 3,188 planned hydropower projects. Closing these data gaps is crucial to understanding the risks, strengthening protection, and supporting legal action to defend these rivers.

The Scientists for Balkan Rivers Network brings together researchers who not only study these rivers but also act as independent advocates for their protection. They believe river scientists must move beyond passive observation — ensuring that their research translates into real-world action to safeguard Europe’s last wild rivers. Your research can make a difference for these rivers and the communities that depend on them. Register today!

How the network works

Science Weeks

One of the key benefits of being part of our network is the opportunity to participate in our annual Science Week. This long-standing tradition within the Blue Heart campaign brings together multidisciplinary teams of scientists to document and highlight the ecological importance of the rivers. During the week, participants engage in coordinated data collection, receive training in specialised methods, and contribute to the production of comprehensive reports. National and international journalists join the teams to share their findings with the public, while participants network and strengthen collaboration across borders.

Read more about our past Science Weeks:

Online meetups (every 2 months)

Virtual gatherings where members present research, discuss projects, coordinate field campaigns, and build international collaborations.

Science-driven advocacy

Open letters, petitions, and joint memoranda alert public institutions to destructive projects and practices.

Collaborative research campaigns

Lead scientists propose questions and protocols, network members collect data regionally, and results are analysed collaboratively for publication. Participation is flexible according to your capacity.

Faces of the Scientists for Balkan Rivers

Meet some of our Scientists for Balkan Rivers!

Why Join the Network?

Research opportunities & unique ecosystems

• Work on pristine, biodiverse rivers with high publication potential
• Study undisturbed ecological processes in natural laboratories

Collaborative data collection

• Multi-country studies with shared protocols enabling standardised data
• Access to datasets, local expertise, and field support

Research infrastructure

• Use the Vjosa Research Centre and remote field facilities
• Share equipment and tap into local partner networks

Career & publication benefits

• Co-author multi-country papers and regional syntheses
• Support for open-access publications and career mentorship
• Connect with international peers and interdisciplinary experts

Visibility & conservation impact

• Gain media exposure and public engagement opportunities
• Directly inform river protection, legal cases, and policy advocacy
• Contribute to a proven campaign that stops harmful dams and secures protected areas

Expertise we're interested in

• Freshwater ecology (fish, benthic invertebrates, macrophytes, algae)
• Hydrology and hydromorphology
• Geomorphology and sediment dynamics
• Conservation biology
• Environmental toxicology
• Limnology
• Geographic information systems and remote sensing
• Statistical ecology and modelling
• Environmental law and policy
• Social sciences related to rivers and water

Ways to contribute

• Field data collection: Join Science Weeks or collect data independently
• Data analysis: Contribute statistical or modelling expertise
• Method development: Share protocols and techniques
• Dataset contribution: Provide existing data for synthesis
• Collaboration: Connect your research to network initiatives
• Advocacy: Communicate findings to support conservation
• Time commitment: Completely flexible. Some members participate in everything; others join one meetup per year. Every contribution matters.

Rivers at Risk: Where your research is most needed

With 3.188 hydropower dams that threaten the Balkan region, scientific research could be beneficial everywhere. We maintain an updated list of river systems facing imminent threats where baseline scientific data is critical for legal defence. Once you’ve registered for the network, we’ll gladly provide you with further information on Balkan rivers in need of your work.

Background and origin of the network

The Scientists for Balkan Rivers Network builds on the remarkable success of the "Scientists for Vjosa" group. The “Scientists for Vjosa” have been instrumental in successfully fending off planned hydropower projects on the main river, paving the way for Europe's first Wild River National Park.

Collaborative research is at the heart of the network

With a growing network of scientists across the Balkans, we believe it is possible to produce high-quality science with minimum means by collaboratively gathering and analysing data at an unparalleled, sub-continental scale. We welcome campaigns collecting data based on protocols that can be executed by fellow scientists. Network participants can also contribute by analysing data, potentially resulting in a collaborative paper. With such work, senior scientists can take societal responsibility by pinpointing destructive impact and promoting conservation, while meaningfully fostering the careers of young, engaged colleagues. The figure below graphically explains the possible collaboration structure:

Additional Resources

Reports and Publications: Access summaries from past Science Weeks, collaborative papers, and other network outputs 

Science Week Videos: Watch highlights from past Science Weeks

Questions? Ideas? Contact us!

Email: scientists@balkanrivers.net

Scientists for Balkan Rivers Network
Part of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe Campaign
Coordinated by Riverwatch and EuroNatur

Last updated: October 2025