Eco Innovation Challenge Semi-Finalists Announced!

We’re excited to share that the semi-finalists of the Eco-Innovation Challenge have been selected!

The call drew an outstanding response, with 186 applications from innovators in over 40 countries, all committed to tackling pollution and environmental pressures in the Black Sea region. After a highly competitive evaluation process, 51 solutions have advanced to the semi-final stage - 28 under the Focus Country Window and 23 under the Greater Black Sea Window.

These semi-finalists represent a dynamic mix of bold, high-impact ideas with strong potential to deliver real change for the Black Sea.

What’s next?

The semi-finalists will now move into the next phase of the Eco Innovation Challenge, beginning with online orientation sessions in February and March 2026. These sessions will introduce participants to the programme structure, expectations, and next steps, while providing guidance on proposal development and evaluation criteria.

This will be followed by an in-person bootcamp in Istanbul 24-25 March 2026. The bootcamp will support teams through workshops, mentorship, and peer exchange, helping them refine their solutions and prepare for implementation.

Semi-finalists will be invited to submit full proposals in April 2026. Following the evaluation, selected finalists will be invited to the Shark Tank Event that will take place in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, in mid-June 2026.

This milestone marks a powerful step from ideas to action. Congratulations to all the semi-finalists!

Stay tuned as the Eco-Innovation Challenge continues.