Vjosa River (Albania)
Plans to construct multiple dams and hydropower plants along the Vjosa River and its tributaries threatened one of the best-preserved wetlands in Europe. These projects would have altered the river’s free-flowing nature, disrupted its unique ecosystems, and impacted the livelihoods of local communities dependent on its natural resources.
A combination of planning, stakeholder engagement and communication activities contributed to enhance the level protection:
– Conducting a feasibility study with the collaboration of 30 Albanian and international experts. These specialists jointly analysed the geomorphology and ecology to propose boundaries for a new protected area supported by an integrated management plan.
– International advocacy campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” gained the financial support of the clothing firm ‘Patagonia’ as a donor to fund the protected area.
– National NGOs and international NGOs work with government on the consolidation of the management plan.
– Sustainable tourism activities were explored to halt uncontrolled urbanisation and tourism in the area.
– A new National Park established in one of the last pristine rivers of Europe (200 hectares running from the border of Albania and Greece to the Adriatic, including three tributaries)
– $4.6 million investment received from Patagonia to establish the park
– Cancellation of plans to build hydropower plants in the river.
– Phase 2 will seek to protect free-flowing contributors and consolidate a sustainable ecotourism offer
– New infrastructure development projects are now threatening the southern area of the catchment, in the Narta Lagoon
Although the Vjosa could be considered a case of wetland conservation, rather than restoration, there are important learnings to be extracted, particularly:
– Scientific evidence was paramount in proving the ecological value of the Vjosa as one of the last unspoilt wetlands in Europe
– The potential of accessing very significant funding by attracting the private sector with powerful communications
– Importance of engaging stakeholders from different levels, from local to national and international, as well as from different sectors in restoration
☑ Local knowledge of ES
☑ Importance of resource for community
☑ Participatory approach
☑ System productivity
☑ Diversification of funding
☑ Involvement of civil society organisations
☑ Successful pilot testing
☑ Development of governance structures
☑ Support of local authorities
☑ Leadership/ entrepreneurship
☑ Direct involvement of private sector
☑ hydrological restoration
☑ morphological restoration
☑ hydro-morphological restoration
☑ water quality improvement
☑ vegetation restoration
☑ removal of invasive alien species
☑ land use change
☑ passive restoration