The international pressure to demand protection of the Vjosa is building more than ever. In response to the reelection of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, people all over the world are demanding the protection of the Vjosa river by hosting the ‘Vjosa National Park NOW’ letters in their countries. Read more about the background of the #VjosaNationalParkNow campaign HERE. Find out about global tour dates HERE
For the past eight months, river activists from around the world demanded a Vjosa National Park Now. There have been 23 visual actions across 13 countries in the middle of cities, national parks, in front of national monuments or in special natural places.Joshua D. Lim
"I am the Vjosa, wild and free. I am the life force of this land. Do not forget me For I will be damned if you neglect me. My future is in your hands; Please protect me." Vjosa needs our help. Have you signed the petition yet? Click the link and show your support to make the Vjosa a National Park - this is the only way to save it!Joshua Lim
On the occasion of World Water Day, March 22, 2021, the Blue Heart campaign released a series of photos capturing the words Vjosa National Park Now cloaking the foreground of globally recognised monuments in Paris, Berlin, Brussels, and Tirana. The activists behind the visual action are targeting the attention of European and Albanian politicians, urging them to declare the Vjosa in Albania Europe’s first Wild River National Park.Joshua Lim
Grand Canyon: on September 18, activists called out for the FULL protection of the Vjosa and all her tributaries in Marble Canyon, Arizona in the Colorado River Basin. Both river systems provide lifelines for millions of people and diverse species - each deserving to be protected for present and future generations!Meredith Meeks & Nick Geib
Munich, Germany supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On June 14th, 2021 a group of activists demanded the full protection of the Vjosa River by placing the 28m banner in Munich’s Olympic Park. The banner will continue to tour around the world in support of creating Europe’s first Wild River National Park in Albania.Derek Henthorn
San Francisco, USA rallies for the #VjosaNationalParkNow in front of the Golden Gate bridge on August 23, 2021! Despite fog and wind, activists from Patagonia called out for the FULL protection of the Vjosa and all her tributaries as a national park in the United States.Kenny Hurtado
Snowdonia National Park, Wales for #VjosaNationalParkNow! Snowdonia National Park was the first national park in Wales designated in 1951. Save Our Rivers has campaigned against multiple small hydropower schemes in Europe and is in FULL support of the Vjosa National Park!Save Our Rivers
Innsbruck, Austria supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On June 1st, 2021 a group of activists placed the banner in the center of the Austrian city Innsbruck. The banner will continue to tour around the world in support of creating Europe’s first Wild River National Park in Albania.Harry Putz
London, UK supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On July 21st, 2021, activists and organizers from Save Our Rivers, Patagonia Europe, NRS, London Waterkeeper and Moo Canoes - The Milk Float rolled out the banner at London’s Olympic Stadium along the Thames.Save Our Rivers
Big thanks to Albanian actor and comedian Florjan Binaj and 11 wildlife photographers as well as the Masai people for this 24th and last #VjosaNationalParkNow action in the Maasai Mara National Park, Lake Elementaita, Kenya!Florjan Binaj, Granit Hyseni, Ilir Hebovija, Arian Mavriqi. Video Edit: Erblin Dama
Tepelene, Albania supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On April 12th, 2021 a group of activists placed the banner in Tepelena at the banks of the Vjosa. The banner will continue to tour around the world in support of creating Europe’s first Wild River National Park in Albania.AM Production
Gjirokastra, Albania supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On April 17th, 2021 a group of activists placed the banner in the historic center of Gjirokastra! The banner will continue to tour around the world in support of creating Europe’s first Wild River National Park in Albania.AM Production
Tirana, Albania supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On March 22nd, 2021 a group of activists placed the banner in front of the University of Tirana.Adrian Guri
Përmet, Albania supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On April 12th, 2021 a group of activists placed the banner in the center of Përmet. The banner will continue to tour around the world in support of creating Europe's first Wild River National Park in Albania.AM Production
Durres, Albania supports the #VjosaNationalParkNow! On April 24th, 2021 the youth of Durrësi Aktiv (@Durresiaktiv) joined the action "Vjosa National Park Now". They revealed the slogan in “Liria Square”, in front of the Municipality of Durrës, demanding the protection of the Vjosa River forever.AM Production
On its first 80 kilometers, the Vjosa flows through Greece and is named Aoos. Eventually, this river stretch shall also be included in the first Wild River National Park, turning the Vjosa National Park into Aoos-Vjosa Transnational Park. Our Greek partners Pindos Perivallontiki in collaboration with MedINA and Protect Aoos extended our letter set to fit this purpose and unfolded the message at Mavili Square in Ioannina, Greece, on 29.9!Αντώνης Βρόικος & Dimitris Papageorgiou
Additionally, the Transnational Park letters were rolled out on the Aoos River near the village of Vovousa during the Home River Bioblitz on World River's Day.Αντώνης Βρόικος & Dimitris Papageorgiou
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The interactive map to explore the region in detail based on different criteria.
The Eco-Masterplan for Balkan Rivers is a comprehensive study which, for the first time, combines knowledge about biodiversity (fish, mussels, caddisflies), integrity of rivers and floodplains (hydromorphology), as well as the location of protected areas.
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We are a coalition of NGOs who have launched the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” in order to raise awareness about the imminent dam craze on the Balkan peninsula and to spare the most valuable rivers and river stretches from destruction.
Save the Blue Heart of Europe - A campaign for the protection of Balkan Rivers
