Protecting the Black Sea together. Launched in 2025, the BBSEA GEF Project is a collaborative regional effort to strengthen the preparedness of the government and private sector, and to reduce pollution in the Black Sea. Funded by the Global Environment Facility and executed by UNOPS on behalf of the World Bank, we are working together to build a shared framework for a cleaner, healthier Black Sea.
Our vision is a Black Sea where scientific innovation and entrepreneurial spirit are the primary drivers of environmental recovery and economic prosperity. BBSEA acts as a catalyst, connecting research with market needs; an accelerator, providing funding and support to turn ideas into scalable impact; and a bridge, fostering collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines.
Discover Georgia’s environmental challenges and the steps being taken to protect the Black Sea.
Georgia
Georgia's Black Sea coast is under significant pressure from land-based pollution, including untreated wastewater and agricultural runoff carried by its major rivers. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, BBSEA is working to address these issues. Our activities will support legislative reforms and spur local creativity through the Eco-Innovation Challenge to find sustainable, long-term solutions.
Eco-Innovation Challenge Progress
As part of the Eco-Innovation Challenge, 3 winning solutions were selected to to receive grants of up to $300,000, along with dedicated technical assistance and acceleration support delivered by Civitta to guide implementation in Georgia. The winners will now move into the implementation phase.
Solutions for Georgia against the Black Sea Pollution
BioCastle's SBP technology allows the biological purification of any kind of water body with minimal capital investments. It is a perfect add on to existing treatment plants to enhance their capacity and increase treatment performance to reduce the outflow of contaminants into the Black Sea.
BioNova is an agritech/cleantech startup developing next-generation smart biogas systems that convert livestock waste into renewable energy and organic biofertilizer. Our solution enables farmers to reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and improve waste management through circular agriculture. By turning waste into value, BioNova supports climate resilience and sustainable development across the Black Sea region.
PlanetCare's self-cleaning commercial microfiber filter represents a breakthrough solution to one of the Black Sea's most insidious pollution challenges: microplastic fibers from textile washing. Our patented technology captures up to 98% of microplastic fibers before they enter wastewater systems and ultimately the Black Sea ecosystem.
Ukraine
Find out how Ukraine is preparing solutions to protect the Black Sea despite current challenges.
Ukraine
Ukraine's major rivers have a significant impact on the Black Sea, a situation now tragically compounded by pollution from war-related destruction and debris. In cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, BBSEA will support assessments for future clean-up activities. The project is also committed to empowering Ukrainian innovators through the Eco-Innovation Challenge to build a resilient and green recovery.
Türkiye
See how Türkiye is tackling pollution to safeguard fisheries, communities, and marine life.
Türkiye
With the longest coastline on the Black Sea, Türkiye faces complex challenges from urban wastewater, industrial discharges, and agricultural nutrient pollution. In partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, our project will deliver updated policy and investment recommendations. We will also foster a new wave of green businesses through the Eco-Innovation Challenge to help protect Türkiye's vital marine ecosystems.
Eco-Innovation Challenge Progress
As part of the Eco-Innovation Challenge, 4 winning solutions were selected to to receive grants of up to $300,000, along with dedicated technical assistance and acceleration support delivered by Civitta to guide implementation in Türkiye. The winners will now move into the implementation phase.
Solutions for Türkiye against the Black Sea Pollution
Noria wants to deploy the CanalCleaner, a passive, energy-free system that intercepts floating plastic waste in urban waterways before it reaches the Black Sea, starting with implementation and research in Turkey. Proven in multiple Dutch cities, the system operates without electricity, has minimal ecological impact, and captures both micro- and macro-litter close to the source.
This project develops an AI-driven, satellite-based early warning and monitoring system for the detection of mucilage (marine snow) in the Black Sea Basin. By integrating multispectral Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 data with a novel lightweight deep learning architecture and mucilage-specific spectral indices, the system enables accurate, continuous, and large-scale monitoring under dynamic marine conditions.
Reducing Agricultural Runoff in the Black Sea Basin through AI-Based Fertilizer Optimization and Chemical-Free Weed Control is an eco-innovation that reduces nutrient runoff and chemical pollution at source. The solution combines AI-driven fertilizer optimization with precision and mechanical weed control to improve nitrogen efficiency, reduce input use, and protect soil and water ecosystems.
GB Ocean has developed a fast and user‑friendly oil spill response system that attaches directly to ship hulls and quays via our patented rolling magnetic connectors, allowing effective containment with only short boom segments. Proven and verified in collaboration with the Norwegian Coastal Administration (TRL 8) and already commercially deployed in Norway, the system provides immediate first response capability until larger resources arrive.
Republic of Moldova
Learn how the Republic of Moldova is connected to the Black Sea and what’s being done to reduce pollution.
Republic of Moldova
As a key country within the major river watersheds, Moldova plays a critical role in addressing transboundary pollution from agricultural and municipal sources before it reaches the Black Sea. We are working with the Ministry of Environment and the "Apele Moldovei" Agency to strengthen national water management policies. Through the Eco-Innovation Challenge, we will also support Moldovan entrepreneurs in developing solutions that have both local and regional impact.
Eco-Innovation Challenge Progress
As part of the Eco-Innovation Challenge, 2 winning solutions were selected to to receive grants of up to $300,000, along with dedicated technical assistance and acceleration support delivered by Civitta to guide implementation in the Republic of Moldova. The winners will now move into the implementation phase.
Solutions for the Republic of Moldova against the Black Sea Pollution
SOLARIFY Solar ZLD is a wastewater treatment system combining proprietary solar thermal technology with Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) processes to eliminate liquid waste discharge entirely. The system uses concentrated solar heat to evaporate high-salinity wastewater, recovering purified water for reuse while crystallizing dissolved solids for safe disposal or commercial recovery.
The project establishes Moldova’s first nationwide soil moisture and temperature monitoring network, integrated into the digital platform Agrodat.md. By combining real-time soil data with analytics and AI-based recommendations, the project supports precise fertilization and water management. The solution reduces nutrient leaching, agricultural runoff, and pollution while improving soil health and farm productivity.
Our Activities
Click on the map to find out more about our project and where it is currently operating. Our regional strategy stengthens national environmental policy and empowers innovators to create sustainable solutions.
To explore bringing this program to another country, please get in touch with our team: bbsea.contact@unops.org.
