About us
Our mission
Riverlov is a grassroots initiative sparked by the urgent need to protect the last remaining free flowing rivers in the Balkans. At Riverlov activists, ecologists and lawyers in Montenegro came together to spark civic engagement and build strategies for long lasting change that address the root causes of the destruction of our last wild rivers. The campaign is running under the NGO Montenegrin Ecology Society, the main organisation in Montenegro for river protection since 2012.
In 2024 we are focusing on the rivers Tara, Moraca, and Komanica in Montenegro. The mission is to stop all further dam developments and advocate for a wild river national park. Our main activities include community organizing, education and awareness, advocacy and lobbying, direct action and building network and alliances across the Balkans and the rest of Europe. We want everyone to fall in love with river protection and the last wild rivers in Europe!
Why?
A battle is unfolding. Fresh water will be the most valuable resource in the near future, and it will define our collective survival in the face of climate change. The pristine rivers in the Balkans are one of the largest freshwater resources and biodiversity hotspots in Europe. However these rivers are facing an imminent threat - The Hydro Power Gold Rush.
In the heart of the Balkans, where 100-200,000km of freshwater rivers and streams still flow freely, 3,500 proposed dam developments are being pushed forward by hydro lobbyists. These pristine rivers face imminent destruction. On the ground, local movements are mobilizing, joining forces with scientists to halt the march of these dam projects. Victories and losses are both part of this struggle. An escalating awareness is gripping local populations, compelling them to rise in defense of their beloved rivers, urging politicians to heed their call. Meanwhile, dam projects persist under the misleading guise of "green renewable energy," concealing the inconvenient truth.
Dams are proving to be an increasingly unreliable and destructive energy source. They not only obliterate precious ecosystems but also uproot local communities, with irreversible consequences. Despite their ecological havoc, dams persist due to an "old perspective" extolling their energy efficiency. Their real virtue lies in profit-making. As European rivers exhaust damming possibilities, the entire lobby has shifted its gaze to the Balkans. Many rush to secure permits, knowing this pursuit will enrich their coffers. A river runs free for everyone, nurturing the communities it touches and creating flourishing biodiversity as it makes its way through the landscape. The moment a dam is built, the river runs solely for the investors pockets. Making one investor rich, while millions are left with the bad sides of acidic water basins, and species extinction.
What makes the hydro sector even more crazy is that governments and utility companies spearheading new hydropower projects seem to ignore a critical factor — most Balkan countries have been reported to already exhibit an over-dependence on hydropower. Moreover, the hydropower sector is increasingly susceptible to risks and climate vulnerability.
We propose an alternative energy solution by integrating more sustainable options like solar, wind, and geothermal power. This approach can not only power nations but also allow the last wild rivers to flow freely. The Balkan countries are all at very different stages of their energy transitions but what they all have in common is that their sustainable solar and wind potential has not yet been utilised, nor has their energy efficiency potential. Priority should be given to building renewable installations on artificial and built surfaces, such as rooftops, transport infrastructure areas, parking areas, waste sites, industrial sites, mines, artificial inland water bodies and degraded land not usable for agriculture.In addition to the power sector, all the countries could use solar thermal, heat pumps and heat storage to a much greater extent, including in their district heating systems. Geothermal is also worth exploring in cases where it does not emit high levels of greenhouse gases.
The truth is that dams offer a highly lucrative business to its investors. Going for an alternative is against their interest. The hydro dam epidemic that is currently running havoc in the Balkans, is fuelled by the lobbyists that ran out of rivers to dam in the rest of Europe. Now they look towards the Balkans, where the last rivers remain. Instead, the Balkans could be the country at the cutting edge of new technologies and energy solutions, paving the way for the rest of Europe.
In the near future, freshwater will be the most valuable resource. Safeguarding our waters from privatization is not just a priority; it's a matter of national security. Wild rivers serve as vital arteries, nurturing forests, and creating resilient zones in the face of climate change. They act as carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. Should development plans proceed unchecked, almost no river would remain free-flowing. The allure of immense profits, particularly for the concrete and construction industry, continues to sway governments into ill-advised agreements. In 1991, Montenegro declared itself an ecological state, a pledge that demands serious action now.
It's time for politicians and governments to uphold their commitment and protect the common good — the rivers that belong to everyone. Together, we can ensure the preservation of our rivers. Read on to discover how you can take part.