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The River Collective gathered 30 bachelor, master, and PhD students from 20 countries of the world, representing a diverse range of disciplines on the Neretva River. This was the 6th annual SRC of its kind, with an emphasis on a creative exploration of the Neretva, combining science, art and community empowerment to create a collective vision for a future around the free-flowing Upper Neretva River. The week-long programme on the banks of the Neretva River included workshops, lectures and practical fieldwork to engage students in the protection of free-flowing and thriving rivers. Participants gained knowledge of the river and engaged with local communities, researchers, experts and artists, inspiring creative collaborations with long-lasting effects.
The stage for this Students for Rivers Camp is the Upper Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Neretva is a 230 km long river flowing through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia before its confluence with the Adriatic Sea. Beyond its ecological significance, the Neretva River is a precious natural and cultural heritage that connects history, nature and people, serving as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental preservation.
While much of the river network now comprises reservoirs, the upper “Gornja Neretva” and its tributaries can still be considered free-flowing. Here, the river constitutes the heart of a karstic valley widely regarded as a natural heritage of regional significance. This unspoiled section shows an intact flow pattern and harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape. The uniquely large diversity of habitats on a very small spatial scale is the foundation for the high biodiversity in this system, supporting a rich array of species such as Adriatic and softmouth trout, Grey stream frog, white throated dipper and more. Studies during the Science Weeks in its upper reaches have identified over 1,300 animal and plant species. Plans for 70 dams in the catchment area jeopardize the future of the Neretva River. One bigger dam in Ulog is already under construction, and would significantly impact the diversity of habitats of the Neretva.
The SRC was not only organised for the participants. We are very proud to announce that we are working on creating a Species resistance map of the Neretva River. The elements of the river are exclusively added by the locals, with whom we had online and in-person workshops to gather information. We are looking forward to the release of the map created by a bosnian artist Adi Habul, happening by the end of October. Further project ideas emerging from the camp include a biological monitoring of the Neretva and an open-source guide for organizing community river walks.
Seven days of River Exploration, learning and creativity:
Day one: Into the field – The camp started with an introduction to the geology and biology of the Neretva catchment and the importance of the Upper Neretva by Sabina Trakić, a professor from Sarajevo. Further, we dived deeper into river ecology and biological monitoring with Mirza Čelebičić. To complete the overview, Vera Knook walked us through the history and different types of hydropower plants and Pippa Gallop shared her insights into the world of international finance in hydropower. With a workshop on storytelling through photography, Nick St. Oegger activated our creative muscles and sent us into the week with the task of creating our own photo stories.
Day 2:
Heading to the pristine upper part of the river, we continued sampling and got to know various species of the ecosystem up close. By comparing the results of the fieldwork for the sections of the river affected and unaffected by the dam, the students were able to understand the ecological consequences of the Ulog dam on the upper and lower Neretva. That said, there is more to being a scientist than analyzing data. To nurture our emotional connection to the river, we were invited to find our Magic Place along the Neretva, closely observe our surroundings and capture the experience in our field journals.
Day 3:
Exploring the gravel banks of the Neretva with our hearts, minds and hands. Yoka ter Stege guided us through a deep-mapping workshop of the riverine landscape and we left with a new set of tools to understand different perceptions of our surroundings . After lunch, Emina Veljovic from the Aarhus Centre in Sarajevo provided a deep dive into the legal frameworks of river protection sharing their overwhelmingly successful appeals in front of the courts. We ended the day in exactly the spirit of community that we wish to nurture – singing around the campfire on the riverbank.
Day 4:
Turning the inspiration and collective knowledge of the intense first few days into action was the aim of this day. The fire for this was provided by local and regional activists who shared stories of their battles. Miroslava Nikolić from Polekol, Vladimir Topić from the Centre for Environment and Robert Oroz, with his decades long fight for communities and their rivers, moved us deeply with their stories and photos. We were gently brought back into the present moment by Josh Egginton, pondering what it means to exist alongside a river. Initiated by the camp participants, we invited the local community from Ulog for a movie night, creating lasting shared memories.
Day 5:
Moved by the river! After many lectures and workshops centered around this river, we have finally experienced the Neretva in all its beauty. Words cannot describe the experience of floating the Neretva river gorge. This is what we are fighting for, to protect the vast beauty of free-flowing rivers like this section of the Neretva!
Day 6:
Including the local population is of great importance when matters of their home river are at stake. Therefore a Neretva festival was held in Konjic, a city on the Neretva River. The festival included stands for children as well as adults, with crafts, merchandise, scientific information about the river and refreshments. Together with the locals we created a banner expressing our love for Neretva and displayed it on the old bridge.
It was a great pleasure to gather inspiring, motivated and passionate people. All of them created a safe environment from which new ideas and visions emerged. We are very thankful for the welcoming people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the stunning Neretva River. We will keep on fighting for her!
The camp is over, but you can still find our poster here with graphics made by Adi Habul, and typography by Lamija Čehajić (@lamioideaexy). Also, follow us on social Instagram (@therivercollective), Facebook (@rivercollectiveriver), LinkedIn or Twitter (@collectiveriver).
