This year’s “Environmental Nobel Prize” came to Albania. Two activists won the award for promoting and protecting the Vjosa River from hydropower construction. Their efforts helped declare the river wild and the area a National Park.

The winners are Olsi Nika and Besjana Guri. For over 10 years, they have worked to preserve and defend the Vjosa.

Two years ago, the river gained special status. It now protects 270 kilometers of free-flowing river and its branches, totaling 400 kilometers of wild river corridors across Albania.

The award ceremony took place in San Francisco. The two Albanian activists received the highest global recognition for environmental activism.

The prestigious event gathered over 3,000 environmental activists, community leaders, philanthropists, and public figures from around the world, during Earth Week.

The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1989 by late San Francisco philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman.

Winners are selected by an international jury from confidential nominations submitted by a global network of environmental organizations and individuals.

Over 36 years, the Goldman Prize has had a major global impact. So far, it has honored 233 winners – including 106 women – from 98 countries.

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