EcoNews No. 7

Dear friends,

This is the periodic newsletter of EcoAlbania (The Center for Protection of Natural Ecosystems in Albania). Here you can find the latest news on our work and activities, as well as publications regarding important environmental issues in Albania during January 2018 - June 2018.

You're kindly invited to share it with your friends and networks!

International banks fuelling a hydropower tsunami that’s decimating pristine Balkan rivers – study

Multilateral development banks have supported no fewer than 82 hydropower projects across southeast Europe, including in protected areas, according to a study by CEE Bankwatch Network released today

Scientists from Vienna's BOKU University and Politecnic University of Tirana visit again the Vjosa Valley for the Sediment Study

Scientists from Austria and Albania continue their studies on the River Vjosa - the last big wild river in Europe. Today they held a press conference to present the findings of the expeditions carried out during 2017 in the Vjosa valley as well as recent field work data.

New Study: Hydropower development puts Europe’s fish paradise at risk

+++ The Balkan rivers host 113 rare and protected fish species. If the hydropower development is carried out as planned, about 10 percent of all European river fish species will be endangered +++

Vienna, Radolfzell, April 19, 2018. The rivers in the Balkans constitute Europe’s fish sanctuary, according to a new study presented today by Riverwatch and EuroNatur. The study reveals that 113 endangered fish species find habitat in the rivers between Slovenia and Greece – more than in any other region in Europe.

The Blue Heart movie was screened in Tirana - What would you do to save your river...?

++Around 200 people attended Blue Heart this Sunday in Tirana - The movie will travel to Vjosa valley communities.++

Tirana, May 7, 2018. "The Blue Heart" movie was screened last night in Tirana for the Albanian public at Cinema Millennium. The Albanian Premiere brought together about 200 people from Tirana and other cities of Albania, friends of Vjosa, representatives of state authorities, Albanian and international civil society organizations, activists for Vjosa and Balkan rivers protection, professors and students, etc.

"Rescue food" - Future chefs offer alternatives for responsible consumption

Durrës, May 25th, 2018. A special food fair was organized by students of the Culinary High School "Hysen Çela", Durrës, in order to raise awareness on responsible consumption and production. The "Rescue Food" fair turned into a celebration day marking the conclusion of "Promoting green entrepreneurship among high school pupils " project with the students of this school.

"How do you imagine your future city?" – Vocational high school students’ ideas on "Smart Cities"

Tirana, May 28th, 2018. Vocational high school students presented today to Tirana’s citizens their ideas on cities of the future. Through the exhibition of two "Smart city" models, students from the Technical-Electrical school "Gjergj Canco" in Tirana, and "26 Marsi" vocational high school in Kavaja, showed their vision for the development of cities bringing environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Bern Convention visits Vjosa in Albania

++ Representatives of the Bern Convention emphasize the conservation value of the river ++ Albanian Government signs concession contracts for HPP Kalivac nevertheless ++

Representatives of the Bern Convention visited the Vjosa in order to investigate to which extent plans for hydropower development are jeopardizing the objectives of the Bern Convention. The on-the-spot appraisal was accompanied by an independent expert.

Over 120,000 petition development banks to Save the Blue Heart of Europe and drop destructive hydropower in the Balkans

London, Prague, Radolfzell, Vienna, June 21, 2018 – Yesterday, representatives of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign to save Europe’s last remaining wild rivers hand-delivered a petition endorsed globally by more than 120,000 people to high level executives at the London headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Future policy makers discuss energy efficiency issues

EcoAlbania has launched a series of meetings on "Policies for Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance in Albania" with members of youth forums from the main parties in the country. On June 22th 2018, during the meeting organized by EcoAlbania in Tirana with the participation of young people from the Eurosocialist Youth Forum of Albania (FRESSH), representatives of EcoAlbania, EDEN Center and Mr. Erjon Tase from the Academy of Political Studies discussed legislation and policies of energy efficiency and performance, as well as the actual problems with regard to their implementation.

The second local forum in the framework of encouragement of civic environmental law initiative took place in Tepelenë

Following the lobbying and advocacy activity to improve the legislation on HPP concessions in Albania, Eco Albania continued with the organization of local forums with Civil Society Organizations, Local Government Units, experts and local environmental authorities.

On 23 June 2018, the second meeting took place in Tepelenë, with participants from local environmental organizations, environmental experts, representatives of the Municipalities of Tepelena and Memaliaj, RDE of Gjirokastra, representatives of Prefecture of Gjirokastra County, journalists, etc.

Friends of Vjosa meeting

The summer meeting of Friends of Vjosa that was held on June 28 brought together again old and new friends. Since March, when the last meeting was held, "much water has flowed in Vjosa" and many new things have occurred, linked with our efforts to protect it. On the other hand, there have been developments in the opposite direction, where plans for the construction of the HPPs in the valley are revitalized.

For more information on EcoAlbania's work you can visit our webpage:

www.ecoalbania.org and our YouTube channel.