This project supports the ecological restoration and sustainable management of river ecosystems in Albania by identifying and assessing obsolete and unused barriers in the Vjosa River basin. While the Vjosa is recognized as one of Europe’s last wild rivers and was recently designated as Europe’s first Wild River National Park, many of its tributaries remain fragmented by aging dams, weirs, and culverts that no longer serve a functional purpose.

These structures obstruct fish migration, disrupt natural sediment transport, alter hydrological dynamics, and contribute to the ecological degradation and disconnection of aquatic habitats. Despite the high conservation value of the Vjosa river system, there is currently no centralized and publicly accessible inventory of in-stream barriers. This knowledge gap limits the capacity of authorities and stakeholders to plan and implement effective river restoration measures.

The project will conduct a comprehensive mapping and field assessment campaign across the Vjosa River basin, focusing particularly on small tributaries and torrents. Building on the existing atlas of irrigation dams developed by the H2H Foundation under the ORP-funded project, the initiative will identify additional barriers, evaluate their ecological impact, and assess their technical, legal, and socio-economic feasibility for removal.

Each structure will be analyzed according to clear criteria, including ecological impact, current functionality, cultural and historical relevance, ownership status, and potential safety risks. The project will prioritize barriers whose removal would deliver significant ecological benefits and restore river connectivity.

Key deliverables will include:

• A geo-referenced, open-access database and interactive map of in-stream barriers;
• A prioritized shortlist of candidate barriers for removal;
• Technical and legal analyses to assess removal feasibility;
• Strategic recommendations for future restoration interventions.

Stakeholder engagement is central to the initiative. Local communities, municipalities, environmental NGOs, and water management authorities will be actively involved throughout the process to ensure transparency, build ownership, and strengthen institutional capacity for long-term river stewardship.

By reconnecting tributaries to the main river system, the project will support the expansion and ecological integrity of the Vjosa Wild River National Park, contribute to Albania’s alignment with the EU Water Framework Directive and Biodiversity Strategy 2030, and create a replicable model for river restoration across the country.

The European Open Rivers Programme is a Dutch grant-giving organisation dedicated to restoring rivers. The programme offers grants to support projects that lead to the removal of small dams and the restoration of river flow and biodiversity. The programme is funded by Arcadia.