The Balkans hold the last wild rivers in Europe, and that is not a romantic phrase but a technical fact. The rivers of Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, and their neighbours still braid and flood and move sediment the way European rivers did before they were straightened and dammed, and the Vjosa in Albania runs undammed from source to sea, which is now unique on the continent.
The mountains behind them are the wildest in Europe outside Scandinavia, holding bears, wolves, lynx, and forests that were never fully cut. The lakes, Ohrid above all, are ancient, some of the oldest in the world, with endemic fish and snails found in no other water. Political fragmentation and poverty preserved much of this by accident, and now that development is arriving, the accident is running out.
The organizations here are fighting a wave of thousands of proposed small hydropower dams that would end the free rivers, defend the ancient forests against logging, and press for the Vjosa and its tributaries to be protected as a whole system. This is Europe’s last real chance to keep a wild river.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
19 organizations working across this landscape.
Association Rusalya
The school is the only one on the territory of the country, which gives a chance to children at risk to receive, completely free, education, upbringing and care with...
Blue World Institute
A non-profit organization, created in 1999 with the intention to carry out objective science, conservation and education about the Adriatic Sea environment.
Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation
BBF unites people with different ideas for the protection of Bulgarian nature. Preservation and reasonable use of natural resources, changing the attitude towards bi...
Čebelarska zveza Slovenije - Slovenian Beekeepers' Association
The Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association (SBA, Čebelarska zveza Slovenije, or ČZS) is a national, non-governmental, non-profit organization that promotes beekeeping in ...
Centar za zivotnu sredinu / Center for Environment
Center for Environment is a nonprofit, nongovernmental and nonpartisan organization of professionals and activists dedicated to the protection and improvement of th...
Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation
The purpose of the Foundation is to use the foundation’s assets and the income generated from those assets, as well as other income collected through the foundation,...
EcoAlbania
The center for Protection of the Natural Ecosystems in Albania (EcoAlbania) was created on 15th of December 2014 as a joint initiative of professors of the Departme...
Foundation "Istinski med"
Istinski med foundation is dedicated to protecting pollinators by supporting beekeepers and building a strong community.
Gea Chelonia Foundation
Gea Chelonia Foundation works to achieve the following objectives: 1. Study, conservation, restoration and sustainable management of turtle and other rare and endang...
Gorata.bg Foundation
We are planting 5 million trees in the EU. We have already planted 3.65 million. Planting new forests and trees, through the active participation of volunteers and a...
Leeway Collective
DEFEND the remaining free flowing rivers of Europe. EXPOSE hydropower as unsustainable energy. PROVIDE alternatives through science, education, creativity + adventur...
NGO LUMI
We protect and promote water resources and nature, while empowering communities, youth, and women through environmental education, civic participation, and advocacy ...
Public Environmental Centre for Sustainable Development / Обществен център за околна среда и устойчиво развитие
We reach to everyone who is looking for knowledge and help to realize ecological ideas.
SANCHILD Foundation
SANCHILD is an international organization dedicated to fostering sustainable peace and harmonious living through human-centered programs.
Save Strandzha
Saving Strandzha’s nature is just the beginning. We’re on a mission to create sustainable conditions where ecosystems and economies can flourish.
Vivamar
Vivamar is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with biodiversity & wildlife. Based in Rovinj, Istarska Zupanija, Croatia, it is included in the I...