Ukraine wins 2024 Dam Removal Award Despite Wartime Challenges
An inspiring river restoration project in Ukraine has been crowned the winner of the 2024 Dam Removal Award at an event in Luxembourg after successfully removing three dams and reconnecting 200km of rivers in the western Tiza catchment.
Led by the Danube-Carpathian Programme and the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, the Ukrainian project removed three obsolete dams on the Kvasnyi, Bilyi, and Bohdan Rivers in the Zakarpatska region, within the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.
Despite the ongoing war, local authorities, civil society and communities united to restore these rivers that are vital for biodiversity, flood prevention, climate resilience and the livelihoods of mountain communities.
The project re-established migration routes for fish species, reduced flood risks for over 2,000 people, restored critical road infrastructure, and reopened access to mineral springs, grazing lands, and tourist trails. It became a symbol of resilience and ecological recovery, demonstrating that environmental action can help communities rebuild both nature and trust during crisis.
“It is astonishing that Ukraine is still restoring rivers despite all its wartime challenges – this project is truly an inspiration to all of us,” said Chris Baker, Director of Wetlands International Europe, which is coordinating the award on behalf of the Dam Removal Europe coalition. “This award reminds us that restoring nature is not just about the environment: it’s about resilience, unity, and hope. Ukraine’s achievement shows that even in the most challenging times, people can unite to let rivers flow freely again.”
2024 saw a record number of removals of dams and other river barriers in Europe with at least 542 taken out in 23 countries across the continent. But tens of thousands of obsolete barriers still litter Europe’s rivers. The situation is most critical in Southeastern Europe: less than 1% of the removals in Europe have been carried out in this region. However, the last couple of years have been a turning point for this region, with more than 135 actions taken to promote the dam removal movement, including dismantling obsolete barriers.
Ukraine ‘Three Dam Removals Amid Wartime’ was one of those projects and has been chosen as the winner of the €20,000 prizeafter a process involving an international jury of experts and a public vote. It edged out two other shortlisted dam removal projects from Estonia and Latvia. The award is hosted by Dam Removal Europe, and supported by the European Investment Bank, McMillen and EKOenergy.
“Rivers need to flow — and recognizing the projects that make this happen is essential, as it inspires others to restore rivers and makes people proud of their work. This award also honors the people of Ukraine,” said Mort McMillen, founder McMillen, a US-based water infrastructure and engineering company that carried out the biggest dam removal project in the world on the Klamath river.
The Dam Removal Award is an annual event that celebrates the restoration of free-flowing rivers across Europe. The award highlights innovative projects that remove obsolete barriers, revive ecosystems, and strengthen communities’ connection to healthy rivers. It is a public acknowledgment of the important work of dam removal practitioners, river users, communities, and authorities who put their hearts into these projects to restore free-flowing rivers.
“Ukraine understands that removing obsolete dams is a fast and effective way to reconnect rivers and restore their natural flow – bringing life back, reducing risks to people, enhancing water and food security, and building climate resilience,” added Baker. “Europe’s rivers are the most fragmented in the world and we must accelerate investment in dam removals and river restoration for people, nature and climate. We can all learn from Ukraine’s remarkable example.”