Blueing the Black Sea Holds 5th Regional Steering Committee Meeting in Sofia
The Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) project held its 5th Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Meeting on 29 October 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria, bringing together representatives from Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine, alongside project partners, to review progress, discuss key priorities and plan the next steps towards reducing marine pollution in the Black Sea.
The meeting followed the BBSEA Regional Learning Workshop, held on 27–28 October, where participating countries exchanged experiences and explored opportunities for stronger regional cooperation on marine pollution prevention.
Supporting Eco-Innovations Across the Region
One of the main topics was the progress of the BBSEA Eco-Innovation Challenge, which is supporting 15 innovative solutions to tackle marine pollution. Participants reviewed the implementation of nine grant-supported projects in Georgia, Moldova and Türkiye, alongside the ongoing acceleration programme for six Greater Black Sea Window winners.
The Committee emphasized the importance of connecting innovators with government institutions, potential partners and investment opportunities to help their solutions grow beyond the programme.
Advancing Investments in Pollution Reduction
The meeting also focused on identifying and preparing priority investments to address marine pollution across the region. Committee members discussed opportunities to advance investment proposals from participating countries and strengthen cooperation with national institutions to turn identified environmental needs into practical projects.
Participants also reviewed ongoing support for Ukraine, including technical assistance and laboratory equipment to strengthen the country's marine water monitoring capacity.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Building on discussions from the Regional Learning Workshop, Committee members highlighted the importance of stronger partnerships, knowledge exchange and access to financing to turn national priorities into practical investments.
As BBSEA moves into its next phase, the focus remains on helping countries and innovators put solutions into practice, attract future investment and work together towards a cleaner, healthier Black Sea.