From Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo, the countries of the Western Balkans face numerous environmental challenges, which are often common.
Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, industrial pollution, and controversial "development" projects are threatening biodiversity, public health, and the future of Balkan countries, even calling into question their membership in the European Union.
Serbia faces local and international pressures
In Serbia, the fight against Rio Tinto's Jadar lithium mine project has become a symbol of civic resistance. According to Iskra Krstic of Polekol/Right to Water Initiative, “"This effort shows that it is never too late to oppose injustice."
“In 2019, when civil society learned about Rio Tinto’s Jadar lithium mine project and the local population learned about the scale of this project, the mine was very close to obtaining all the necessary permits for implementation.", recalls Krstic.
But despite the project having received strong support from the government and being close to completing procedures, massive protests and civil society mobilization temporarily halted it.
However, the passivity of the institutions and the EU's support for the project in the name of the "green transition" are jeopardizing its return.
Krstic emphasizes that "Success arises where there is a strong and united mobilization," underlining the key role of information and education in countering official propaganda and captured media.
Meanwhile, Serbian activists are aware that international pressure, especially from the EU, can have two sides to the coin, it can strengthen environmental protection, but also undermine it.
In recent years, European Commission officials have expressed a desire to promote lithium mining in Serbia for the sake of the EU's green transition, ignoring the risks and the will of the local population.
"The EU's list of strategic projects, which also included "Jadar", is in line with the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), criticized for undermining environmental efforts and violating the rights of local communities."", says the activist, but she adds that the EU has expressed a willingness to turn a blind eye to the decline of the rule of law and human rights in exchange for precious resources.
However, the European Parliament is heterogeneous, says Krstic. “Green and left MEPs have been outspoken supporters of the local struggle, visiting Serbia, listening to communities and appealing to the European public. The transition must be just and truly green, not just in name.", She says.
Beyond the “Jadari” issue, Serbia faces a development model that privileges industrial and mining interests to the detriment of communities and nature. Regional cooperation through networks such as “Let’s Protect the Balkan Rivers” or “ZBOR” has built bridges between activists in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond, strengthening the spirit of cross-border solidarity.
"The environmental wars in Serbia (and the Balkans) serve as an example of how poor regions and populations, who have very little to blame for the climate crisis and pollution, are doubly punished."", She says.
Krstic underlines that the Western Balkans is one of the fastest warming regions on a continent.The region is already experiencing hydrological droughts and profound climate change that threaten agriculture.", she adds.
The main obstacles Serbia faces are local and international pressures to sacrifice forests, rivers, stones and minerals for financial interests.It is essential to invest in the conservation of waters, forests and land to minimize damage and ensure food and water security.", the environmental activist says.
“It is no different in Albania”
In Albania, the situation is no different when it comes to the exploitation of natural resources and environmental damage.
Environmental challenges in Albania are mainly related to the exploitation of rivers for hydroelectric power plants and water diversions. Local communities, as in Serbia, have made efforts to protect the environment, in some cases successfully and in others not, but what is important for environmental activists is that the community understands the importance of nature.
Besjana Guri from Eco Albania emphasizes that “Vjosa and Shushica are symbols of environmental resistance in the country, where communities have self-organized and received strong support from environmental organizations.. "
Through campaigns like Save the Blue Heart of Europe, Albania has shown that regional cooperation is essential to preserve Europe's last wild rivers.
“We are part of a wide network of activists and organizations working for the same causes and who are part of the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign. However, the cooperation extends beyond this network, as we often join forces with other organizations in the region for joint and cross-border initiatives.”", says Guri.
However, challenges remain for Albania. Guri points to plans for new hydroelectric power plants, commercial exploitation of water resources, and uncontrolled urban development that are threatening natural resources.
Regarding the role of the EU, Guri emphasizes that it can play a decisive role, but the pressure must be stronger and more sustained.
"We need a green transition that does not sacrifice nature for short-term economic gains.",” she says, emphasizing the need to ban polluting investments and strengthen the legal framework for nature protection.
For activist Besjana Guri, Albania's environmental future will depend on how seriously Albanian institutions take the transition towards sustainable development.
"The EU's 2035 climate targets are not just an international commitment but an opportunity for Albania to modernize its economy, increase energy security and protect its natural resources.""e", she says, adding that investments in polluting sectors must now be stopped, the integration of renewable sources must be accelerated, and laws for nature protection must be strengthened.
Kosovo faces a multiple crisis
In Kosovo, the environment faces a multifaceted crisis, such as air pollution from old power plants, degradation of rivers and forests, and poor waste management. Besnik Boletini, an investigative journalist at the organization ÇOHU!, points out that “institutions have failed to implement environmental laws and degradation has reached alarming proportions. "
"The state of the environment in Kosovo continues to be bad in some aspects, while there is no proper commitment from the relevant institutions to improve the situation."", says the Bulletin.
He brings to attention a number of environmental problems that Kosovo faces, such as air pollution from KEK's power plants, due to the age of the two power plants. Also, the situation with rivers is constantly deteriorating.
"Rivers are constantly being degraded by illegal operators, while their pollution continues to be continuous through the dumping of sewage into the river, but also the dumping of various waste in the rivers and along the riverbanks."", says the journalist.
Another worrying problem remains illegal logging and burning of forests. "Impunity in this regard, especially in forestry cases, is great. Most cases are statute-barred for cases related to deforestation."", says Boletini.
However, citizen reaction has been present, protests and local activism have managed to stop certain projects or push authorities to act, although challenges remain.
"There have been occasional protests, depending on developments. For example, when we published a research on how Ferronikeli is polluting water, air and soil, a group of citizens from Drenas organized protests in front of the ministry and as a result the company was fined."", the journalist brings to attention.
The largest organizations were made by citizens affected by the construction of hydroelectric power plants, especially in the municipality of Shterpce.
He emphasizes that the lack of regional cooperation on environmental issues is a major obstacle.Pollution knows no borders, and the lack of a common strategy makes the problem bigger.", he says.
As for the country's EU membership, the journalist assesses that policies are harmonized with the EU, but implementation is weak and the environment continues to not be a priority on the institutional agenda.
The nature of the Balkans is being threatened by flawed development models, lack of transparency and lack of implementation of existing laws. Cross-border cooperation, although present in some cases, still remains fragmented and insufficient to cope with the regional environmental crisis.
On the other hand, the European Union remains a key actor, whether it is a force for environmental protection or a promoter of projects that damage it, "this remains to be seen”, according to activists and journalists who report on environmental issues.
If the integration process is sensitive to environmental issues and if it requires real standards, not facades, the Balkans can have a greener future.
Read also:
- "Poisoned Vjosa: Oil Flows in the Heart of the National Park"
- "Vjosa ready for UNESCO", but challenges remain
- Vjosa in danger, environmentalists raise the alarm
He completed master's studies in Investigative Journalism at the Department of Journalism at the University of Tirana. She has been working as a journalist for five years, where she previously covered issues of politics and parliamentary activity, in print and online media. She is currently a journalist at Citizens.al, where she covers various social issues related to the transparency of institutions. At Citizens.al, she leads the podcast "The Unheard" and is engaged as a manager of projects related to the support of investigative journalism.
