On 2nd May of 2022, in cooperation with the organization Montenegrin Ecologists Society (MES), the second forum “Campaign for the Year – inspiration for activism” took place in Montenegro. This forum was part of a 3-day activity of the campaign “To save (the river) Komarnica” (Spasimo Komarnicu) organized from April 30 to May 3 in the village of Dojna Brezna near the Komar River. The activity was a reaction of NGOs against the HPP that is planned to be built on the river. During the 3 days, rafting, hiking in nature, as well as various workshops and meetings were organized, one of which was the forum for Vjosa’s campaign.
During the forum, it was discussed about Vjosa’s campaign, the media and legal campaigns that have been undertaken. The meeting was attended by representatives of Montenegrin civil society organizations and activists, with whom 2 practical manuals were also shared: Legal tools to set up a litigation strategy and Techniques to raise awareness through the media, which will be very fruitful in the campaign undertaken by them.
After the presentation, the question & answer section took place where the interest was quite high, not only to ask about Vjosa’s campaign but also to see how those initiatives can be used in the “Save Komarnica” campaign. There was also interest around the Cemi river, focusing on the current situation, the plans to build HPP, and what can be done, agreeing on an opinion that there should be more cooperation between NGOs in Montenegro and Albania about this issue.
This forum is part of the tour of forums organized within the project “Campaign for Vjosa – inspiration for activism” This project aims to share the experience of EcoAlbania during the last 8 years in the campaign “To save the blue heart of Europe”, with national and regional NGOs as one of the main actors in undertaking and leading campaigns for the protection of nature.
The next meetings will take place in North Macedonia on May 18th and Kosovo on May 19th.
