The geography of Southeast Europe and the abundance of surface and ground water has enabled the evolution of incredible biodiversity, with species you won’t find anywhere else in the world: like the mysterious olm inhabiting subterranean caves of the Dinaric, the extraordinary softmouth trout swimming in the Adriatic rivers, or the elusive stone crayfish.

Carving their way through the hills and the valleys of the region, rivers have shaped our societies as well. They have left a mark on our past and are shaping our future, giving us life and a sense of identity. However, rivers in the region are at risk. They are facing ever-increasing threats like pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, and unsustainable development. They are part of a worrying trend: since 1970, 83% of freshwater species and 30% of freshwater ecosystems around the world have been lost.

That is why seven partners working across five countries joined the United for Rivers Coalition. Together, we are working to preserve our freshwater treasures for future generations and show that our well-being and social and economic development can go hand in hand with river protection. Together, we can create a region where both nature and people thrive.