Small is (not always) beautiful: small hydro development in the Western Balkans
February 28, 2017
It has long been recognised that the human and environmental costs of large dams are extremely high. But what about small ones? Here we unpack some of the myths being spread about small hydropower in the Balkans.
The Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia – briefing for the directors of the European Investment Bank
January 24, 2017
Outsourcing accountability? The EIB’s failure to enforce environmental information disclosure in its intermediated loans
January 23, 2017
The European Investment Bank is known to have provided over EUR 22 million for the construction of at least 19 small and mini hydropower plants through financial intermediaries in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia between 2010 and 2
Sustainability criteria for hydropower development
December 11, 2016
Any hydropower project no matter the size can cause negative consequences to water basins, associated ecosystems, to climate and affected communities living along the water basins. A large number of individually acceptable projects can also lead to una
Gender impacts of the Shuakhevi hydropower project in Georgia and its compliance with EBRD requirements
October 31, 2016
A majority of the local population protests against the construction of the Shuakhevi HPP for various reasons, including issues related to land and water “grabbing”, geological risks posed by construction works, employment problems, etc. The purpose of
Gender impacts of the Nenskra hydropower plant, Georgia
October 31, 2016
Based on the analysis of the project documentation, independent media reports, surveys and discussions with local civil society revealed that the Nenskra project represents the perfect example of a gender blind project, where the project sponsor fails
Pobuna za Bunu
September 14, 2016
“Ja ne razumijem kako neki ljudi vole samo sjedit po kafićima. Ja to ne mogu, meni je draže ovdje sjedit”, govori Aida dok promatra smaragdno zelenu boju rijeke Bune. Nakon što teče pod zemljom više od 19 kilometara, ova rijeka izvire na površinu 12 ki
Quebec hydroelectric firm rides Balkan ‘dam tsunami’ in showcase of Canadian expertise
August 19, 2016
MONTREAL — Quebec has had an international reputation for hydroelectric engineering since the nationalization of Hydro-Québec in the 1960s. The construction of the James Bay Project — one of the largest hydroelectric systems in the world — helped launch the province as a leader in the field and that expertise is getting notice around the world.
New mudflow hits Georgian village as rainy season reveals poor assessment of hydropower plans
July 5, 2016
As rains cause mudflows in Georgia’s mountains, locals from different regions unite to protest hydropower developments in geologically unstable areas.
Campaign update: Georgian mountain communities consider restoring long abandoned tradition to tackle threats to their land
June 29, 2016
With hydropower and mining projects encroaching on their lands and livelihoods, Svan communities in Georgia’s northwest consider convening in an ancestral assembly to discuss their course of action.
