A local beach hut in anticipation of Albanian EU-Membership, which it has been a candidate for since 2014.Zydjon Vorpsi poses for a portrait in a nature reserve. He and his colleagues at PPNEA focus on the fieldwork in and around the delta, as well as in many other areas across Albania.The Vjosa River flows into the Mediterranean Sea, creating the delta, with Sazan Island sitting on the horizon. The island could become home to a luxury resort, financed by Donald Trump´s Son in Law, Jared Kushner.Supported by Munich Airport International GmbH, the multi-million euro construction of Vlora International Airport has been underway since 2021, even though the European Parliament and the European Commission oppose the project.Didare poses in front of her home. With hopes of employment for her son, she is not bothered by the 600.000 yearly visitors expected to arrive in her backyard.Frequent flooding caused by the high groundwater levels in the delta challenges the construction of Vlora International Airport.Actitivst Lela Qevlani gives an Interview at the ESPID4VJOSA conference in Tirana. Together with other enviromental workers she tirelessly advocates for the protection of the Vjosa river.Goldman Prize Winner Besjana Guri and Moritz Berthold both from EcoAlbania visit the Shushica with their colleague Leonard Sonten from EuroNatur. Here German KfW and Austrian STRABAG aim to build a fresh water pipe to the newly developed costal towns. The Scientists expect the river to dry out during summer.Farming makes up 15% of Albania´s GDP and is essentiell for sustaining rural areas across the country, like here, where it relies on the water of the Vjosa river.This local farmer is part of the over 30% of workers employed in the agricultural sector in Albania.Mariglen, a local surf teacher and fisherman, pulls his dingy into the sea, to check his fishing nets.Fationa and Dritan are preparing their restaurant for the upcoming summer season. They aren´t sure, how much longer they will be able to keep their restaurant open, due to growing, financially-dominant competitors.A giant H marks the Heli-Pad of the flagship tourism project "Green Coast", south of Vlora.Two policemen on their daily patrol of the beach within the nature reserve.Many of Albania´s Tourists come from other European nations. The local population hopes for even more money from tourism to support the economy.Every Morning at 6 a.m., Ledi Selgjekaj from PPNEA drives to the Narta Lagoon to check the birds nests of the Pied avocet, one of the circa 200 bird species in the delta.Increasing Numbers of Visitors have already strenghtend the economy of coastal towns. Still, by 2030 the Albanian government aims to increase overnight stays by 138%.The research center in Tepelenë studies the Vjosa river. Professor Fritz Schiemer from the University of Vienna supports his Tirana colleagues in the collection of data, with the aim of long-term conservation.A colony of Flamingos above the Narta Lagoon. It is unclear if they will return to the delta for breeding next year.DELTA
In southern Albania Europe´s last wild river, the Vjosa, flows into the Mediterranean Sea, creating a unique ecosystem. The delta is home to over 2,300 known species. Since March 2023, the river has been declared national park, which grants the extraordinary biodiversity long term protection.
At the same time, Albania‘s pro-European government under Prime Minister Edi Rama wants to expand tourism to further boost its growing economy.
Vlora International Airport is currently under construction in the middle of the Vjosa Delta. Yearly, it is expected to bring in over 600,000 tourists to the long beaches of the Adriatic coast. One of the investors is Jared Kushner, who is planning a 1,100-hectare luxury resort on the Narta Lagoon and further developments on the island of Sazan. Environmental organisations such as EcoAlbania, PPNEA and EuroNatur have been studying the Vjosa for years and know how harmful the new developments could be for the ecosystem along the river. Supported by researchers from Tirana and Vienna, they are campaigning against the construction projects. While locals hope for new economic possibilities, they still worry about the nature they call home.
This work sheds light on life in the delta and the tension between nature conservation, economic investment and local perspectives.