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.
Europe’s Last Wild Rivers Could Soon Drown [Video]
June 29, 2016
Hundreds of hydroelectric dams planned for rivers across the Balkans would provide green energy—at a big cost
Eight activists arrested in Nenskra power plant protests
May 26, 2016
Tbilisi, DFWatch – Svan campaigners declare that their protests will continue as long as no alternatives to the current project assuming flooding of their native valley are presented. Police special forces arrested eight activists protesting against the construction of Nenskra Hydropower Plant and released them after imposing financial penalties.
Eight arrested in protest against Georgian dam
May 24, 2016
Protests against large dams in Georgia’s Svaneti mountains have led to confrontations with police. Locals are losing patience over the protracted consultation process on the project.
Georgia swept by protests against EBRD-backed hydropower
May 11, 2016
Protests have in recent weeks broken out across rural Georgia after construction resumed on several large hydropower projects financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Demonstrators have complained that the projects were repeatedly decided behind closed doors, and that poor assessments of the social and environmental consequences mean their livelihoods are under threat.
Tensions are rising over hydropower and the lack of participation in Georgia’s mountains
March 15, 2016
The mistrust and frustration of communities in the mountains of north-western Georgia is deepening over make-shift consultations on large dam constructions.
HEC-et po shkatërrojnë natyrën, akuza bankave e institucioneve të BE-së
February 25, 2016
Një raport teknik i një rrjeti organizatash jofitmprurëse të Europës qëndrore dhe asaj lindore akuzon bankat ndërkombëtare të zhvillimit dhe institucionet e Bashkimit Europian se po financojnë në Shqipëri projekte që rrezikojnë monumentet natyrore dhe parqet kombëtare të vendit.
Nenskra hydropower plant, Georgia
February 2, 2016
For the last decade, the government of Georgia has promoted hydropower as a way of tackling energy security and turning the country into a regional energy player. The EBRD has been one of the key catalysts of this hydro boom. Yet the presence of the EBRD and other international financial institutions has not been enough to ensure the development of comprehensive energy strategies, robust project assessments and meaningful public consultations. The potential for social and environmental problems is therefore prevalent. The Nenskra hydropower plant is yet another project that lacks the proper assessment and has failed to gain acceptance from the local communities.
Niču hidroelektrane u zaštićenim zonama u JIE
February 1, 2016
Jugoistočna Evropa (JIE) preplavljena je projektima hidroelektrana i postoji ogroman potencijal za štetu u životnoj sredini regiona sa ubitačnom kombinacijom poslednjih divljih reka u Evropi, rasprostranjene korupucije i neadekvatne zaštite prirode. Istovremeno istraživanja pokazuju da je veliki broj planiranih ili projekata koji se realizuju baš u zaštićenim regijama. U Srbiji su od 88 projekata hidroelektrana obuhvaćenih istraživanjem mreže Benkvoč, 57 “grinfild” projekti od kojih je 34 u zaštićenim zonama.
