May 19, 2025
We’re excited to share a Q&A with Olsi Nika, 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize winner for Europe. Based in Tirana, Albania, Olsi is the executive director of EcoAlbania, an NGO working to protect Albania’s natural ecosystems and wildlife through the friendly coexistence of humans and nature.
Olsi and his colleague Besjana Guri won the 2025 Goldman Prize for their campaign to protect Albania’s Vjosa River from a hydropower dam development boom, resulting in the creation of the Vjosa Wild River National Park. In our discussion, we’ll talk about the status of rivers throughout Europe and Albania, the role of Patagonia in EcoAlbania’s global campaign, and next steps for the Vjosa Wild River National Park.
Goldman Prize: Welcome, Olsi! First, hearty congratulations. It’s an honor to speak with you about your work as an environmental leader and to celebrate your Goldman Prize win.
Olsi: Thank you. It’s an honor to be recognized alongside Besi, especially as it’s the first-ever Goldman Prize for Albania.
Goldman Prize: To get started, what are some of the threats that rivers in Europe face?
Olsi: Well, Europe is a continent rich with freshwater ecosystems but, unfortunately, by the 19th century, Europe had already killed many of its rivers due to urbanization and industrialization. It’s hard to explain to a European teenager nowadays what an actual river looks like. The headwaters of major European are rivers still intact, but the mid-sections of most rivers are destroyed as they have been dammed and diverted for multiple purposes, like irrigation, navigation, etc. The rivers are now flowing in straight concrete lines—they are canals and not rivers.
However, in the Balkan Peninsula, there are still pristine, natural, free-flowing rivers. You can still find rivers with a vast gravel riverbank in the mid-section, which is something absolutely missing from central and western European rivers.
Goldman Prize: I understand that there is currently an influx of hydropower dams throughout Albania and the region. Why are dams harmful to river ecosystems?
Olsi: Throughout the Balkan Peninsula, dam construction has reached alarming levels—there are 3,000 dams planned or already under development. We call this massive surge a “dam construction tsunami.”
While environmentalists several decades ago championed dams as a source of clean, renewable energy, it has become increasingly clear that they are far from sustainable. The reality is stark. Dams disrupt river ecosystems, block fish migration, and displace communities. Globally, nearly 80 million people have been forced to relocate due to dam projects, and even small-scale hydropower initiatives, often perceived as eco-friendly, contribute to ecological harm by diverting water and leaving riverbeds dry. There is nothing green about building a dam in a river.
Let me give you a figure from the World Living Planet Index: freshwater ecosystems worldwide have declined 87% since the 1960s. Despite it being one of the planet’s most fundamental resources, freshwater is disappearing at an alarming rate. Preserving each mile and each meter of free-flowing water is really critical.
Goldman Prize: What is a wild river and why is it important for rivers to remain wild?
Olsi: A wild river, from a hydrological perspective, is one that flows naturally in its original riverbed, free from human-made obstacles such as dams, diversions, or ramps. Despite the simplicity of this definition, explaining the concept to people has been a challenge—particularly because, in the Albanian language, the term “wild” evokes images of a chaotic beast rather than natural balance. And the Vjosa River does have this raw power, especially during its natural five-year flooding cycle, when it becomes a force of nature. Ultimately a wild river is untouched, maintaining its ecological integrity without significant interference.
Goldman Prize: Where did you come up with the idea to create the Vjosa Wild River National Park?
Olsi: From the very beginning, our goal has been to establish the Vjosa River as a national park—an essential safeguard against dam construction. Designating the Vjosa as a national park was the most effective way to protect its ecosystem, ensuring the long-term preservation of biodiversity, ecological integrity, and vital habitats. The river is remarkably rich in endemic species, with four newly discovered ones unique to its waters. It also contains many high-priority habitats under the EU Habitat Directive, making it a prime candidate for national park status. You can see how important the Vjosa is!
Unlike existing parks that cover only small portions of rivers, the vision for the Vjosa is unprecedented: Europe’s first wild river national park, encompassing the entire river system. This initiative spans 400 km of free-flowing rivers, including the main trunk of the Vjosa and three tributaries, covering 1,200 hectares. Despite Albania’s challenges as a country, the creation of this park offers a groundbreaking approach to environmental protection. The Vjosa Wild River National Park is now gaining global recognition, with discussions about integrating wild river national parks into the official IUCN guidelines for protected areas. I am very proud that this model is the result of our own personal efforts, and also that it comes from our country.
Goldman Prize: I know that you and Besjana worked hand in hand together on the Vjosa River campaign. Can you tell us about how your skill sets complemented each other?
Olsi: Besi joined the campaign shortly after I did, and from the start, our skills complemented each other—my focus on biology, community engagement, policy, and legal matters, and Besi’s expertise in communications and campaign management. Protecting the Vjosa River was a complex effort, involving governments, European institutions, scientists, courts, local communities, and even celebrities, all of whom initially seemed disconnected but eventually came together like a puzzle. It was very challenging, and we had to adapt many times throughout the 12 years of the campaign.
Goldman Prize: We know that Patagonia was actively involved in the campaign to protect the Vjosa River. Can you tell us about that partnership throughout the campaign?
Olsi: Patagonia joined the campaign in 2016 or 2017, helping raise awareness of the Vjosa River. Their support was crucial in amplifying the movement, especially during an awesome initiative where a Slovenian “kayak-tivist” paddled 19 rivers across the Balkans in 40 days, culminating in a protest in Tirana.
In 2022, Patagonia played a key role in mediation between campaigners and the government, leading to a signed agreement to establish the Vjosa Wild River National Park. Since that official designation in 2023, Patagonia has remained deeply engaged with our team. They are currently contributing to the national park’s management plan and leveraging their global expertise to ensure its effective implementation. Patagonia’s work exemplifies how responsible corporations can bridge the gap between civil society and policymakers, helping protect critical ecosystems like the Vjosa.
Goldman Prize: What are your hopes for the future of the Wild River National Park? What would you like to see in the next 10 years?
Olsi: That’s an interesting question. Ten years ago, the vision for the park was clear, but now there is still more to accomplish. We need to keep going to truly fulfill our goal.
First, the park has the potential to expand by including other free-flowing rivers within the Vjosa basin. Second, the Vjosa delta, considered the last pristine delta in the Mediterranean, still faces threats from development. Protecting this delta as part of the national park is really important. It is an integral part of the river’s ecosystem and home to diverse wildlife like turtles and migratory birds.
And a third, overarching goal is recognizing the Vjosa as a transboundary river. The Vjosa begins in the mountains of Greece before flowing through Albania and into the Adriatic. We’ve made significant progress with partners in Greece, where three major tributaries remain undammed and two are already protected. Our overall goal is to have Europe’s first transboundary wild river national park.
Finally, in the short term, our focus is on effectively implementing the park’s management plan. Continued work with the Albanian government is essential to ensure long-term conservation and sustainable protection of the Vjosa River.
Goldman Prize: Thank you for your time, Olsi. It’s wonderful to speak with you and celebrate your achievement.
Olsi: Thank you for helping raise awareness for our work.
