During the past weekend, Belgrade became the center of European river conservationists and dam opponents. From September 25th-27th, 120 people from 18 countries discussed how to stop the dam tsunami in the Balkans and in other regions in Europe.

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In a follow-up study of the initial "Hydromorphological Status and Dam Projects" study from 2012 (U. Schwarz), we included small hydropower plants as well, when previously only those over 1 MW were recorded. A total of 2,683 future hydropower projects have been recorded on the Balkan Peninsula.  Additionally, 714 existing dams were found in this region.

An article in the renowned Berliner Zeitung reports about the uniqueness of the natural landscape in the Balkan, about the threat due to hydropower development, as well as about our campaign to save Balkan Rivers. Sorry, in German only: Das Blaue Herz Europas

The Bihać City Council has stopped the construction of two small hydropower plants in the Una National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The projected plants Martin Brod and Dobrenica undermine the very idea of a national park as protected area and would destroy one of the most magnificent rivers in the Sava River Basin.  

We are happy to invite you to the Balkan Rivers Days in Belgrade this September - the first event of this kind in Europe! This free event shall be a first get-together of people from river NGOs, local initiatives, and anti-dam movements, along with fishermen, boaters and other river lovers from all over the Balkans and elsewhere.

While investigating illegal logging for an equally illegal hydropower plant on the river Râul Alb inside a Natura2000 area (Sălaşul de Sus, Hunedoara County), Romanian environmentalists were chased and violently attacked by a group of thugs on May 24. Find the EIA report, the press relase by the involved organisation Agent Green (scroll down for English version) as well as the video of the attack below.

We are producing a short film about people who want to keep their rivers free from hydropower plants. We need your help for that! This is the idea: film yourself in front of a river that is threatened by a hydropower project while saying the following sentences: “This is (name of the river). I love my river and I don´t want it to be damed. Save the Blue Heart of Europe." Pleases say it both in English and in your native language.

++ 113 hydropower plants projected in national parks ++ Next Sunday, on May 24th, is the “European Day of Parks” – a day to celebrate protected areas in Europe and advertise their values and benefits. However, particularly on the Balkans there is little reason to celebrate. On the contrary, a recent study shows that 535 projects  are currently planned within strict nature conservation areas, 113 of which in the midst of national parks.

Is small hydropower greener than mega dams? Do they make sense economically? Watch this cartoon and find out about the many "benefits" of small hydropower developments.