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 Small Bioreactor Platform uses specialized microorganisms encapsulated within semi-permeable capsules to enhance biological wastewater treatment. Installed directly into existing treatment facilities, the capsules maintain concentrated bacterial cultures that biodegrade targeted contaminants and increase treatment capacity.
The technology strengthens natural biological treatment processes without requiring major infrastructure expansion or additional chemical inputs. Its flexible deployment can also help wastewater facilities respond to changing and seasonal treatment demands, supporting more efficient pollution reduction before wastewater reaches the Black Sea.
BioNova is an agritech and cleantech startup developing modular biodigestion systems that convert livestock waste into renewable biogas and nutrient-controlled biofertilizer. Designed for decentralized use at farms, the system treats manure through a natural anaerobic digestion process before it can enter surrounding waterways.
By turning agricultural waste into valuable resources, BioNova helps reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff while improving farm-level waste management and renewable energy production. The solution supports circular agriculture and contributes to cleaner rivers and a healthier Black Sea.
PlanetCare has developed a high-capacity microfiber filtration system specifically designed for commercial and professional washing machines. The automated, self-cleaning technology captures textile fibers and fragments from wastewater while supporting the high water flows required by large-scale laundry operations.
By intercepting microfibers before they enter wastewater systems and waterways, PlanetCare tackles an important source of microplastic pollution at its origin. The solution offers a scalable way for commercial laundry operations to help reduce plastic pollution reaching rivers and the Black Sea.
National Policy & Investment Recommendations
BBSEA is supporting national authorities in developing policy reforms and investment recommendations that strengthen pollution prevention, improve wastewater management and address priority pollution hotspots. Through technical assessments, stakeholder engagement and national workshops, the initiative is helping turn analysis into practical action.
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.
National Policy & Investment Recommendations
BBSEA is supporting national authorities in developing policy reforms and investment recommendations that strengthen pollution prevention, improve wastewater management and address priority pollution hotspots. Through technical assessments, stakeholder engagement and national workshops, the initiative is helping turn analysis into practical action.
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's CanalCleaner is a passive litter interception system designed to continuously capture floating plastic waste from urban waterways before it reaches rivers and seas. Floating booms guide litter into the system, where it is retained for collection while preventing captured waste from flowing back into the water.
By shifting the focus from downstream cleanup to upstream prevention, CanalCleaner targets one of the key pathways through which urban plastic waste becomes marine litter. The project aims to demonstrate a scalable approach for preventing plastic pollution from reaching the Black Sea.
Musi-Sense is an AI-powered, satellite-based monitoring platform designed to detect and track mucilage in the Black Sea. The system combines satellite imagery, deep learning, environmental indicators, and explainable AI to identify mucilage accumulations and the conditions that can contribute to their formation.
Through a cloud-based interface and alert system, Musi-Sense translates complex environmental data into actionable information for municipalities, coastal operators, and environmental authorities. The solution aims to strengthen early warning capabilities and enable faster, data-driven responses to emerging marine pollution risks.
MOVE ON is developing an AI-powered precision agriculture system that replaces widespread herbicide spraying with targeted mechanical weeding. Using cameras, Edge AI, and automated weeding equipment, the technology distinguishes weeds from crops and removes them precisely while protecting plants.
By significantly reducing reliance on herbicides, MOVE ON aims to prevent agricultural chemicals from entering soils, rivers, and ultimately the Black Sea. The solution combines cleaner farming practices with digital monitoring to support more sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture.
GB Ocean's Proactive Harbor Barrier is a preventive spill-protection system designed to contain potential oil and chemical leaks before they spread into open water. Installed between a vessel and the quay before bunkering or other port operations, the barrier creates a contained area around potential spill sources.
Designed for rapid deployment and movement with the vessel, the system shifts spill management from reactive cleanup toward prevention. By stopping pollutants at the source, the technology can help protect sensitive coastal habitats and strengthen environmental preparedness in Black Sea ports.
National Policy & Investment Recommendations
BBSEA is supporting national authorities in developing policy reforms and investment recommendations that strengthen pollution prevention, improve wastewater management and address priority pollution hotspots. Through technical assessments, stakeholder engagement and national workshops, the initiative is helping turn analysis into practical action.
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 is developing a solar-powered Zero Liquid Discharge system for treating high-salinity agricultural and agro-industrial wastewater. Using renewable solar thermal energy, the modular system separates wastewater into reusable distilled water and solid residues without relying on conventional fossil-fuel-powered thermal treatment.
Designed for decentralized and off-grid applications, the solution provides an alternative for farms and communities where conventional wastewater treatment may be inaccessible or unsuitable. By eliminating liquid wastewater discharge, Solarify aims to reduce nutrient and contaminant flows into Moldova's rivers and ultimately the Black Sea.
Biosfera SRL is developing a national soil-moisture-based nutrient management system to help farmers make better-informed fertilizer decisions. A network of monitoring locations will collect soil moisture and temperature data at multiple depths and integrate it into a digital agriculture platform.
Using real-time field data and decision-support tools, the system helps identify when conditions are suitable for fertilizer application and when nutrient-loss risks are elevated. By reducing unnecessary leaching and runoff, the solution supports more efficient agriculture while helping protect Moldova's rivers and the Black Sea.
National Policy & Investment Recommendations
BBSEA is supporting national authorities in developing policy reforms and investment recommendations that strengthen pollution prevention, improve wastewater management and address priority pollution hotspots. Through technical assessments, stakeholder engagement and national workshops, the initiative is helping turn analysis into practical action.
