As part of a series of regional workshops across Europe’s sea basins, this event aimed to identify practices and regional needs relevant to the Partnership’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). These regional workshops aim to help shape policy priorities from a local perspective, whilst staying within the broader, pan-European framework of the Partnership. The workshops are organised jointly by the Partnership’s Brussels Cellule, which fosters community engagement around the Partnership, and the regional sea basin nodes that advise on strategic agendas and bridge the local and European levels, thereby creating synergies with key regional stakeholders.  

The Black Sea workshop featured institutional speakers from the European Commission’s DG Research & Innovation, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Bulgarian government, and the Black Sea Commission, all of whom discussed policies and perspectives on regional and international scales. Representatives from research organisations also shared insights on aligning the Partnership’s goals with the Black Sea’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. Industry representatives contributed perspectives on interlinking the blue economy with digital and green transitions and the role of business in applying project outcomes to the market. 

The workshop comprised three panel discussions. The first panel showcased three key projects, including two funded by the Partnership’s first co-funded call for proposals (SEAREFINERY and WASTE2TASTE) and a third project, MARSPLAN, financed by the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The creation of project portfolios, which the Partnership will organise, was highlighted as an effective way to avoid overlap and foster synergies across the initiatives.  

The second panel explored the importance of synergies within the Black Sea region, particularly on supporting a Common Maritime Agenda and expanding international cooperation. A cross-basin dialogue session also included representatives from organisations in the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea, who provided valuable insights for collaboration.

A roundtable discussion addressed the importance the Partnership attaches to bringing project outcomes to the market by involving innovation and business communities. This session highlighted Black Sea leadership in digitalisation and sensitive technologies.  

Finally, a world café session provided an open forum for the participants to give input to the Partnership in terms of the specific needs, priorities and challenges facing the Black Sea.

The recording of the workshop is available here.

The next regional workshop will be help in Amsterdam on 27 November, focusing on the North Sea region, as part of the BlueMissionBANOS Arena 3 event. Click here for more information on the event and to register.