Our Water, Our Shared Responsibility 

How healthy are the Prespa Lakes? Why are water levels declining? What do we really know – and what still remains uncertain?

In this new PrespaNet report, experts critically reviewed more than 120 scientific publications and monitoring studies to build a common evidence base for the transboundary Prespa basin. The findings are clear: climate variability, unsustainable water use, deteriorating water quality and fragmented monitoring are placing increasing pressure on one of Europe’s most valuable freshwater ecosystems. At the same time, major knowledge gaps remain because data are scattered, monitoring differs between the three countries, and scientific efforts are rarely coordinated.

But the report’s main message goes beyond science. The future of Prespa’s waters depends not only on better research, but on stronger cooperation between Albania, Greece and North Macedonia. PrespaNet calls for harmonized monitoring, open data sharing, integrated water management, climate-resilient agriculture and science-based, trilateral decision-making. Only by working together can the three countries secure healthy lakes, thriving communities and resilient ecosystems for generations to come.

📖 Read Prespa’s Waters at a Crossroads: Our Water, Our Future (in english) and join us in supporting a shared vision for the future of Prespa’s waters.