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News 27 Jan, 2025

The Mitigation Hierarchy in action: IUCN support for decision-making on rural water supply infrastructure in and around the Vjosa Wild River National Park, Albania

IUCN is a core partner to the Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment in the development of the new Vjosa Wild River National Park.

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Photo: IUCN / Sebastian Döbbelt-Grüne

Between June and October 2024, using IUCN Standards and Resolutions, IUCN produced a Mitigation Hierarchy assessment to inform the next steps for the Albanian Rural Water Supply IV Project (Lot 1) which planned for infrastructure development on the Shushica River, a tributary of the main Vjosa river system, and the heart of the new Vjosa Wild River National Park.

The reports can be accessed here:

* Please download pdf files to see full reports.

The recommendations for the Albanian Government inform collective decision-making by providing an objective and unbiased rapid assessment report. The recommended scenarios and options have used IUCN Mitigation Hierarchy methodologies, as agreed by and requested by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, with support and convening by the German Embassy to Albania.

The Mitigation Hierarchy is a structured approach promoted by IUCN to guide infrastructure and development projects, particularly those near areas of significant biodiversity or ecological value, such as national parks. This four-step process prioritises avoiding negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity as the first step. When avoidance is not possible, impacts should be minimised and measures taken to remediate or restore affected areas. As a final step, any residual impacts should be addressed through ecological compensation to achieve no net loss or a net gain of biodiversity. This framework aligns with the core objectives of IUCN Category II protected areas, which aim to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem integrity, and balance ecological preservation with sustainable use, education, and community needs. By following this hierarchy, projects can ensure alignment with international conservation standards and contribute to long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

The report was enabled through IUCN internal resources and voluntary contributions from expert Commission networks, as well as through a project grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which supports IUCN to help increase the effectiveness of the Vjosa Wild River National Park through applying the IUCN Green List Standard and related Categories and criteria, as well as through a grant from Patagonia, as part of the project “Vjosa Wild River National Park, Phase II - operationalisation and effective management”.

IUCN continues to support Vjosa Wild River National Park to develop and achieve the IUCN Green List Standard for fair and effective protected areas that deliver successful conservation outcomes.