Goldman Environmental Award 2025 for two Albanian activists, Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika

For the first time in the 36 years of his history, the « Goldman » award, also known as the « Nobel of the Environment », is also won by two activists from Albania.

Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika of ECO Albania organization were praised for their efforts to protect the Vjosa River from the massive construction of hydropower plants – until its declaration by the government as ‘the National Park of a Wild River’.

A phone call from the Goldman Foundation headquarters in San Francisco surprised Besjana and Olsin this early April. An international jury had selected them among thousands of activists from around the world to honor them with the highest environmental price. Thanks to their insistence, the government gave Vjosa and its branches the status of “National Park, ensuring that the river continues to continue the 170 -kilometer road within the Albanian territory.

« 11 years ago I could not imagine the size of the Vjosa campaign. We were just a group of dreamers who had a clear and uncompromising vision: to see Vjosa National Park, » Olsi Nika told DW.

« We started the campaign as a small team of only three people, » recalls 37-year-old activist Besjana Guri, « but today, Vjosa has thousands, even millions of friends worldwide. »

A victory between challenges

It was 2014 when Olsi and Besjana founded the EcoAlbania organization, with the aim of protecting Albania’s natural ecosystems and habitats. That same year, they joined the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign, initiated by the organizations of Riverwatch and Euronatur, aimed at protecting the Balkan rivers from threatening mass hydropower.

While Olsi, a biologist in the profession, coordinated the efforts of scientists, local communities, activists and NGOs, Besjana, a graduate of the social sciences, brought to the attention of the public and the media. « There was little talk about the environment, the damage of hydropower in river ecosystems. People saw it as something good, so only to be heard in the community and in the general public was a big challenge, » Besjana recalled.

In the Vjosa River, one of the last wild rivers in Europe, 45 hydropower plants were planned. This meant catastrophic consequences for the river habitat, endangering a unique biodiversity of 1,175 herbal and animal species. « But as long as no dam was still built and put into work, we could keep the dream of the National Park alive, » says Olsi, the 39-year-old activist.

Vjosa River – a model for Europe and the world

Scientists, lawyers, MEPs and well -known public figures including actor Leonardo DiCaprio gave their support for the idea of creating a wild river national park.

In November 2021, Besjana and Olsi decided to invite the company « Patagonia », a campaign supporter, to negotiate with the Albanian government. Her role as a mediator made Vjosa’s defense not only left on paper. In March 2023, in the Tepelena Fortress, an agreement was signed to announce the Vjosa National Park River.

Vjosa’s future

It is precisely its uniqueness that makes the Vjosa Park a challenge in management. According to activist Nika this will be the next target for activists. « Establishment of the management plan is about setting up structures, enhancing human capacity, improving the legal framework or how the activities that affect it should operate, » Olsi says, stressing that « this is a time -consuming process, and perhaps more than it took to announce the national park. »

While for Besjana another challenge continues to be the Shushica River, a branch of the Vjosa River, whose flow is planned to be diverted to the service of mass tourism. « We have won the Vjosa once when the National Park was announced, now we have to win Shushica, » the activist said.

Planet at risk – initiatives that give hope

The Goldman Award for the Environment is given annually for local activists from six continents who undertake extraordinary initiatives to help their communities. « It’s been a difficult year for both people and planets, » says Jennifer Goldman Wallis, Vice President of the Goldman Foundation. « There are so many things that concern us, stress us, angry us and separate us. But for me, these environmental leaders and teachers and the international community that supports them – are the solution. »

In addition to activists from Albania, other Goldman winners for 2025 are Semia Gharbi from Tunisia, Batmunkh Luvsandash from Mongolia, Carlos Mallo Molina, activist from the Canary Islands, Laurene Allen from the United States and Mari Luz Canquiri Murayari from Peruja. This award dedicated to the environment was created in 1989 by San Francisco, Richard and Rhoda Goldman. During the 36 years, the Goldman award has honored 233 activists from 98 different countries.

) Rashela Shehu correspondent from Tirana for DW)

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Tags: activists, Albanian, award, Besjana, environmental, Goldman, Guri, Nika, Olsi

Goldman Environmental Award 2025 for two Albanian activists, Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika

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