New report: hydropower subsidies wreak environmental havoc and line influential pockets in the Western Balkans
Disproportionate public subsidies for small hydropower in the Western Balkans have resulted in widespread environmental damage and have benefited wealthy business people close to or part of the region’s governments, with little benefit for electricity generation, finds a new study released today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
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Bridge blocked - river saved - honoured with EuroNatur Award
++ EuroNatur Award 2019 goes to the “brave women of Kruščica" ++ Bridge occupied for over 500 days to block construction of hydropower plants ++ Award ceremony on 10 October 2019 on Mainau Island ++
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“Brave Women of Kruščica” honoured for river protection
++ River conservationists from Bosnia-Herzegovina receive EuroNatur Award 2019 ++ Energy companies want to exploit the last wild rivers of Europe, but resistance among the people is mounting ++
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Wave of protest against Balkan dam building frenzy
++ First ever international action weeks for Balkan rivers ++ People took to the streets in many countries of the Balkan region ++ They protested against the destruction of the last wild river landscapes in Europe ++
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Hydropower Project Mokrice put on hold
Good news from the Sava: Our appeal against the building of the hydropower plant Mokrice at the Slovenian-Croatian border was successful. The Slovenian administrative court has declared the current environmental compatibility decree as invalid due to procedural errors. That means, that the project won’t be allowed to be implemented for the time being.
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North Macedonia: No-go zones for hydropower projects must be designated
++ NGOs, government representatives, experts, hydropower developers and the local community discuss challenges and solutions at an international conference on nature protection and hydropower projects in North Macedonia ++
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375,386 citizens call for strong EU legislation to protect water
Over the past months, an alliance of numerous European environmental and nature conservation associations have promoted broad participation in a public EU consultation to evaluate existing EU water legislation.
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Balkan Rivers in the European Parliament
The Blue Heart team presented the Eco-Masterplan for Balkan Rivers in the European Parliament in Brussels at the event “Save the Balkan Rivers: Resisting Hydro Power Plants in the Balkans & Albania”.
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Milestone bank summit in Belgrade for protecting Balkan rivers
++ More transparency needed in financing hydropower ++ Meeting of banks and activists a step towards protecting Balkan rivers ++
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Albania fails to comply with Energy Community Law
++ NGOs file complaint against Albania ++ Hydropower projects on Vjosa river clearly breach Energy Community rules ++
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