Two hikers on a rocky outcrop overlook a turquoise river valley with red-roofed villages, cypress trees, and limestone mountains under clear sky

One basin. Shared futures.

Working together for the Drin

Protecting the Drin Basin calls for cooperation across borders, institutions and communities, and a new chapter of coordinated action is supporting the implementation of the basin's Strategic Action Programme through 2029.

Challenges cross borders

Cooperation must do the same.

Pollution, habitat loss and climate-related pressures are among the challenges addressed by the project.

Its response brings together ecological understanding, stronger institutions and coordinated action across the basin.

Alpine valley with turquoise river, dam, dramatic limestone peaks, farmland, and lakeside villages under hazy sky

01

Pollution

Pollution is among the pressures the project addresses. Water carries it across borders, so it calls for a shared response.

02

Habitat loss

Habitat loss is a second shared pressure. Deeper ecological understanding helps show where action is needed.

03

Climate resilience

Climate-related pressures add to the strain on the basin. Building resilience is part of the project's response.

A shared commitment

November 2011. Tirana.

The basin's riparians, those sharing its waters, committed to sustainable management of the Drin Basin. The agreement established a structure for cooperation, including the Drin Core Group and Expert Working Groups.

Today's project builds on that foundation, supporting priority actions under the Drin Strategic Action Programme.

Learn about basin cooperation

From commitment to action

November 2011

A commitment to act together

A commitment to sustainable basin management, and a structure for cooperation to carry it.

Today

A new chapter builds on it

The present project builds on that foundation.

Through 2029

Implementing SAP priorities

Support for implementing the priority actions of the Strategic Action Programme.

Three environmental scientists conduct water quality testing on an alpine lake shore, mountains and village in background

2029

Eight people gathered around a wooden table reviewing maps and documents on a terrace overlooking a turquoise river valley with dramatic limestone cliffs.

01

Part one: Build capacity

Equip people and institutions. Technical tools and deeper ecological understanding will support climate-resilient resource management at regional, national and local levels.

02

Part two: Strengthen cooperation

Make coordinated action possible. Stronger institutional arrangements and new policy instruments will support cooperation across borders and sectors.

03

Part three: Address pressures

Turn priorities into action. By targeting the causes of environmental stress, from pollution to habitat loss, the project will advance implementation of the Strategic Action Programme.

04

Part four: Lasting participation

Make participation part of delivery. Stakeholder engagement, gender mainstreaming and monitoring are intended to support inclusive implementation and long-term impact.

Workers harvesting reeds by a lakeside mill, mountains and villages in background

Looking towards 2029

A shared commitment. A programme of action.

The GEF-funded project supports priority actions under the Drin Strategic Action Programme, strengthening transboundary cooperation and integrated natural resources management.

Its focus: stronger capacity, stronger frameworks, action on shared environmental pressures, and inclusive participation.

Explore the Strategic Action Programme

Project documents

Implementing the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) of the Drin Basin to Strengthen Transboundary Cooperation and Enable Integrated Natural Resources Management, a project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

View project documents