Public Project
The Vjosa: Portraits of Life on Europe's Last Wild River
The Vjosa River in Albania is one of Europe’s last truly wild rivers, flowing unobstructed for 270 km from its source in northern Greece through southern Albania to the Adriatic Sea. It sustains a rich and unique ecosystem, home to plant and animal species found nowhere else, and has been a vital economic and cultural resource for communities along its banks for centuries—shaping songs, poetry, legends, and even local names.
In recent years, the river has faced multiple existential threats, including exploratory oil drilling, the construction of an international airport in its delta, and plans for large-scale hydropower dams. In response, local communities, conservation groups, scientists, and activists from around the world mobilized to protect it.
This global campaign culminated in 2022 when the Albanian government agreed to establish Europe’s first Wild River National Park. Officially inaugurated in March 2023, the Vjosa Wild River National Park represents a groundbreaking collaboration between the Albanian government, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Patagonia. The park protects the main river and its tributaries while fostering sustainable ecotourism opportunities that benefit local communities and set a new model for river conservation across Europe.
18,733
