FAQ

Q: What is the main difference between the two application windows?
A:

• BBSEA Focus Country Window: For solutions that can be implemented over 18 months in Georgia, Moldova, or Türkiye. This window offers grants of USD 50,000–300,000 plus 12 months of technical assistance.
  Due to the current situation, which directly impacts the ability to implement new on-the-ground projects, implementation in Ukraine is not possible at this time. However, Ukrainian innovators are still encouraged to apply to this window, and implement their project in one of the above mentioned countries.
• Greater Black Sea Window: For early-stage concepts.   This window offers in-kind technical assistance worth up to USD 20,000 over 6 months — no direct funding.

Q: What happens if my idea is early-stage, but I have a clear plan for implementation in a focus country?
A: If you have both a viable plan and the capacity to manage a grant, you may apply under the BBSEA Focus Country Window. However, if your concept still requires refinement, the Greater Black Sea Window may be better suited to help you de-risk and develop it further.

Q: Can I move from the Greater Black Sea Window to the Focus Country Window later?
A: Yes, if your idea gains traction, technical maturity, or a local partner during the program, you may be invited to resubmit under the BBSEA Focus Country Window.

Q: Will I receive cash funding if I am selected for the Greater Black Sea Window?
A: No. The "up to $20,000" mentioned is the value of the in-kind technical assistance and mentorship you will receive. No cash grants are distributed in this window.

Q: What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is required?
A:

• Greater Black Sea Window: We accept early-stage ideas (concepts, prototypes) with lower TRLs.
• Focus Country Window: Because this window involves an 18-month implementation grant, the solution needs to be feasible and practical. Very low TRL concepts are unlikely to succeed here because they cannot be fully implemented within the timeframe. Higher TRLs (ready for scaling or implementation) are recommended.

Q: Are nature-based solutions eligible under the Eco-Innovation Challenge?
A: Yes, absolutely. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are strongly encouraged, especially if they offer innovative ways to address the Black Sea's pollution problems. Examples include constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, buffer strips to reduce agricultural runoff, green infrastructure, and ecosystem restoration approaches. As long as the proposed solution is novel within the local context and aligns with one or more of the four target pollution issues, it is eligible under both windows of the EIC.

Q: What counts as an “eco-innovation”?
A: Any practice, technology, or service that offers a new or significantly improved solution compared to locally available best practice to address one or more of the four defined pollution problems. Innovation can be a product, service, or technology, and even policy innovations are considered if they are linked to implementation.

Q: What if there is a best practice from outside the Black Sea region that we would like to implement in a BBSEA focus country? Would this be considered innovative?
A: Yes. As long as the solution is new to the context where it will be implemented and offers improvement over current local practices. You should highlight this advantage (lower risk because it is proven elsewhere) in your application.

Q: What is the expected time commitment for the accelerator program?
  A: The exact methodology is not yet defined. However, finalists can expect multiple training sessions, and the intensity may be tailored to the needs of each innovator.

Q: What does the grant cover under the BBSEA Focus Country Window?
A: Eligible costs include personnel, equipment and materials, travel and fieldwork, operational expenses, minor infrastructure and training. You must demonstrate capacity to manage these funds responsibly. Specific requirements will be outlined in the limited Call for Proposals. 

Q: Is co-financing required?
A: Co-funding is not required at the initial Expression of Interest (EOI) stage. For the Focus Country Window, these details will be discussed with selected applicants during the limited Call for Proposals.

Q: What are the financial rules? Are there any guidelines?
  A: Detailed financial rules are not required for this initial Expression of Interest (EOI) stage, as our current focus is on the strength and innovation of the idea itself. For applicants who are shortlisted and invited to the next phase (the Limited Call for Proposals), we will provide a comprehensive set of financial guidelines and grant management requirements at that time.

Q: Do I need to submit a detailed budget or letters of support now?
A: No. For the Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline on December 21, 2025, you do not need a detailed budget, MOUs, or formal support letters.

• Budget: You only need to select a rough budget estimate range in the form.
• Partners: You only need to describe your potential partners.
• Note: If selected as a semi-finalist, the accelerator will help you develop the full detailed budget and documentation later.

Q: Will the Greater Black Sea Window award funding later?
A: No direct funding is provided under this window. However, winners receive targeted support to refine their ideas and improve investment-readiness. Successful awardees may be introduced to funding partners.

Q: Who owns the intellectual property (IP) of my innovation?

A: You do. All intellectual property rights remain with the applicant. Neither UNOPS nor the World Bank will claim ownership of your innovation.

Q: Can the project budget include supporting activities like policy work?
  A: Yes. At this stage, we are focused on the idea. For selected applicants, the full budget can include supporting activities (e.g., policy work, enabling environment) as long as they are well-justified and contribute to the innovation's successful implementation.

Q: How many projects will be funded in total?
A: The total number of funded projects depends on the requested grant amounts. The goal is to fund at least two innovations in each of the three focus countries (Turkey, Georgia, and Moldova). It is estimated that between 6 and 10 projects will receive final grants from the Focus Country Window and between 6 and 10 will receive technical assistance from the Greater Black Sea Window.

Q: What kinds of infrastructure are allowed?
A: Only low-risk installations and minor installations are eligible. Your installation must involve  standard, well-understood technologies in stable environments, with:

•  Low probability of failure
• Low-moderate environmental or social risks or impacts
• Minimal complexity and investment

Q: How will you assess infrastructure risk?
A: UNOPS will assist the applicant with a screening of the proposed infrastructure for environmental, social and technical risks. Complex or large-scale infrastructure projects are not eligible.

Q: Are there specific budget caps for low-risk infrastructure?
  A: There is no separate cap for infrastructure beyond the overall $300,000 project limit for the Focus Country Window. Simple, low-risk infrastructure is permissible.

Q: Does the project support implementation outside the Black Sea region?
  A: The project's primary goal is to benefit the Black Sea region. The support provided is designed to help you find future funding for implementation within the region.

Q: Does my project need to be physically located on the Black Sea coast?
A: Not necessarily. While the project must address pollution in the Black Sea, the physical location does not strictly have to be coastal. For example, you could propose an interception barrier on a river that feeds into the sea, or provide a remote analytical service or app. As long as the impact targets the Black Sea problems, the location is flexible (provided it is within the eligible countries).

Q: If we apply as a consortium, who can participate in the accelerator/bootcamp?
  A: Each selected innovator can send a small team (typically 2-3 people) to participate in the accelerator trainings and bootcamp.

Q: Are women-led or youth-led projects encouraged?
A: Yes. To foster diverse participation, the EIC especially encourages applications from women-led, youth-led, and community-based initiatives.

Q: Do I need a local partner to apply for the Focus Country Window?
  A: While not required at this initial stage, demonstrating a plan to partner with local entities is encouraged to ensure successful implementation. After the initial screening, an accelerator will be hired to help finalists with matchmaking. 

Q: What happens after I submit my EOI?
A: EOIs will be screened and the top 25 applicants per window will be invited to an orientation and proposal refinement phase. 

Q: What if I’m not selected?
A: Even if not selected for the final award, reaching the full proposal stage provides a significant opportunity for exposure. The top 50 applicants (25 from each window) invited to submit a full proposal may be featured on the official BBSEA website and social media channels.

With your consent, this feature will showcase your innovation's title, a brief description, and your contact information, putting your project in the spotlight for potential partners, investors, and stakeholders across the region.

Q: What is the expected duration of project support?
A: For the Focus Country Window, implementation support lasts 18 months; for the Greater Black Sea Window, technical assistance is provided for 6 months.

Q: What is the Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) project duration?
A: The broader BBSEA project runs until September 2028, executed by UNOPS with World Bank funding through the GEF.

Q: What is the exact timeline for the selection process?
A:

• Dec 21, 2025: Submission Deadline.
• End of Jan 2026: Selection of approx. 50 semi-finalists (25 per window).
• Feb – Apr 2026: Orientation and Matchmaking (Virtual).
• March 2026: In-person Bootcamp (2 days).
• May – June 2026: Final Proposal Submission & "Shark Tank" style pitch event.
• July 2026: Implementation/Mentorship begins.