Balkanka Association in Bulgaria

Currently, one of the key ongoing initiatives of Balkanka is fighting against no less than 9 planned large hydropower projects and dams and several more small hydropower plants in Bulgaria. They also support the fight of local people against small hydropower projects in Serbia and Macedonia, as well as mining developments, planned channelization of different rivers and cases of illegal gravel abstractionas and riverbank deforestation. In addition to preventing the implementation of new hydropower projects, Balkanka is also monitoring already operating ones, trying to improve national legislation in the field of river ecosystem management and forcing its proper applying. Their association has inspired several scientific studies on hydropower impact on river ecosystems.

"Another very key initiative being in the very heart of Balkanka is to influence the young generation and disseminate the idea that the Nature and rivers are living ecosystems which need to be constantly protected and cared about. Each year we organize numerous events with partnering organizations and friends where we demonstrate our core values, influence local communities with our ideas and intensely disseminate the philosophy to care for our rivers and Nature and further protect their ecosystems. By partnering with a certified farm for indigenous Balkan trout, we have implemented lots of fish stocking activities demonstrating our constant effort to protect and further care about our rivers. Each year we are really excited to organize a green school event with young students (5 – 14 years old) where we demonstrate our core values – protecting the river ecosystems, fish stocking, fishing demonstration and a seminar for different species living in the river area.", they say.