Save the Blue Heart of Europe - A campaign for the protection of Balkan Rivers
WEBINAR: The Vjosa Delta at Risk: Background and Perspectives on the “Flamingo Revolution” in Albania
Tirana, Albania; locals, diaspora and international supporters gather on the street demanding the Albanian government respect the law, ensure transparent decision-making, and truly protect the country's most irreplaceable natural heritage. Photo: Joshua D. Lim
13:00 CEST | Online | Microsoft Teams
The unique Vjosa Delta and the Narta Lagoon in Albania are currently at the centre of a dramatic development: despite their high protection status, large-scale infrastructure and tourism projects are being pushed forward, threatening fragile coastal ecosystems and valuable habitats. Bulldozers are clearing forests, destroying dune landscapes, and encroaching deeply into areas of nature that have so far remained largely untouched – developments that not only violate international environmental standards but also place a strain on Albania’s EU accession process.
At the same time, resistance is growing: for weeks, people locally, across Albania, and in many cities worldwide have been protesting against the destruction of this natural jewel. These protests operate under the name “Flamingo Revolution” and have now expanded far beyond the scope of nature conservation alone.
Against this backdrop, we cordially invite you to an online event that sheds light on these complex developments and offers well-founded insights into nature conservation in Albania. The event brings together key stakeholders from European nature conservation and offers exclusive first-hand insights.
Introduction:
Gabriel Schwaderer, CEO at EuroNatur, will introduce the current developments and contextualise the situation in the Vjosa Delta and the Narta Lagoon. He will explain why this region is of outstanding ecological importance and highlight how long EuroNatur and PPNEA have been committed to protecting this unique area.
Panel discussion:
Following the intro, Gabriel Schwaderer (Executive Director, EuroNatur) and Aleksandër Trajçe (Executive Director, PPNEA, Albania) will discuss developments in Albanian nature conservation in recent years, collaboration between international and local organisations, and the background to the current protest movement.
Why you should attend:
- Gain exclusive insights into one of the most pressing nature conservation issues in Europe today.
- Understand the political, ecological, and social context behind the current protest movement.
- Learn about the background of long-standing conservation efforts in Albania and engage in discussion with recognised experts.
- You will have the opportunity to submit your questions in writing; these will either be addressed live or answered afterwards by email.
For years, EuroNatur and its Albanian and international partners, together with local stakeholders, have been working to protect the Vjosa Delta, documenting environmental changes and critically accompanying political processes. This event makes that work visible and opens a space for discussion, understanding, and engagement.
Who should attend:
This event is aimed at anyone interested in nature conservation, European environmental policy, civil society engagement, and current political developments in South-East Europe – whether professionally involved or simply curious. Join us and gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics behind the current developments in the Narta Lagoon – and the commitment of the people working to protect it. The event will take place in English via Microsoft Teams. It will be recorded and published on youtube.com/euronatur