BBSEA Showcases Eco-Innovation at the Black Sea CMA Stakeholder Conference 2026

The Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) Regional Project participated in two key regional events in Burgas, Bulgaria, bringing its work on eco-innovation and pollution reduction into wider discussions on a sustainable and resilient Black Sea.

On 30 September, Glenn Pearce-Oroz, Senior Programme Manager for BBSEA, joined the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda Stakeholder Conference 2026, contributing to the session “Driving the sustainable blue economy: Innovation, Ports and Investment.” He presented the BBSEA Eco-Innovation Challenge and its 15 winning solutions, highlighting how innovators are now moving from promising ideas towards implementation and acceleration.

His participation also marked a full-circle moment for the Challenge. At the 2025 edition of the conference, Glenn introduced the newly launched initiative and its ambition to identify innovative solutions to Black Sea pollution. One year later, BBSEA returned with 15 winners, selected following a journey that attracted 186 applications from 40 countries.

The mission also provided an opportunity for wider regional exchange. On 29 September, Glenn participated in the MEDIGREEN workshop “Beyond Borders: Mediterranean–Black Sea Exchanges on Maritime Spatial Planning as a Driver of Ecological Transition at Sea.” The workshop brought together Mediterranean and Black Sea communities to exchange experiences on Maritime Spatial Planning, ecological transition, environmental protection and climate resilience.

Together, the two events highlighted complementary aspects of BBSEA’s work: connecting regional knowledge and partnerships while supporting innovative solutions to move towards real-world action.

A year after introducing the Eco-Innovation Challenge in Burgas, BBSEA returned with tangible progress — and a growing community working towards a cleaner and more resilient Black Sea.