From 25–27 March 2026, ECOPANA participated in the international meeting “Joint Freshwater Meeting – EU Freshwater Policy & Living European Rivers Networks,” organized by WWF France in Paris, representing Kosovo at one of the most important European platforms for water policy and river restoration.
The meeting brought together organizations, experts, and key stakeholders from across Europe to discuss the latest developments within European Union policies. Discussions focused on the revision of the Water Framework Directive, the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation, and the interlinkages between water, climate, and agriculture policies. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of organizations in advocacy and policy influence, addressing concrete ways to impact national restoration plans and translate European frameworks into real actions on the ground.
Within the framework of the “Living European Rivers” network, discussions moved from the policy level to practical implementation, focusing on the development of large-scale nature-based projects, the creation of national barrier removal programs, and their integration into national restoration plans. Special attention was also given to the development of sustainable and bankable projects, as well as coordination with initiatives such as Dam Removal Europe and the Open Rivers Programme.
During this session, ECOPANA presented its work in Kosovo, including the mapping of barriers in the White Drin River and concrete restoration cases in Mirusha and Kotradiq. Institutional and technical challenges related to the development of dam removal projects were also addressed, along with the potential for establishing a national river restoration program in Kosovo. This presentation contributed to increasing the visibility of efforts in Kosovo and fostering new collaborations at the European level.
The meeting also served as a platform for coordination among European organizations, enabling the exchange of methodologies, the development of joint approaches, and the strengthening of cooperation in the restoration of freshwater ecosystems. This collaborative dimension is essential to ensure that river restoration is carried out as a coordinated and sustainable process at regional and European levels.
On the third day of the event, a field visit was organized in Bièvres, France, where participants were introduced to concrete river and wetland restoration projects in an urban context. The visit provided a clear overview of implementation phases, as well as the integration of nature-based solutions into urban planning and public decision-making. The models presented are directly applicable to the Kosovo context, particularly for river restoration in urban areas.
Participation in this meeting has had a direct impact on advancing ECOPANA’s work and the development of the river restoration agenda in Kosovo. Through this engagement, capacities for developing large-scale projects have increased, access to funding and international partnerships has improved, and the organization’s role as a key actor in this field has been strengthened.
Following the presentation of ECOPANA’s work, Kosovo has been included in the list of potential host countries for future editions of this meeting, marking an important step in positioning the country at the European level.
Efforts for river restoration in Kosovo are now transitioning from the problem-identification phase toward the development of concrete and integrated solutions, based on European best practices. ECOPANA and WWF Adria will continue to contribute to this process through expertise, partnerships, and engagement at both national and international levels.
