The Black Sea, once a thriving marine ecosystem, has faced serious environmental damage in recent decades. Eutrophication – a process in which too many nutrients accumulate in a body of water – has become a major issue, harming marine life, public health, and as a result, local economies.

To help tackle this issue, UNOPS is working with the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on the ’Blueing the Black Sea Regional Project’ (BBSEA). The $6 million project, implemented by UNOPS in close coordination with the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), aims to increase the capacity and readiness of governments and the private sector in Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Türkiye to protect the Black Sea and promote sustainable development in the region.

“By working with governments, businesses and civil society, we can create a cleaner, healthier environment for the people who rely on this vital ecosystem,” she added.

The BBSEA project, part of the larger Blueing the Black Sea programme, will work with governments and the private sector to identify pollution sources, establish policies, build capacity and develop innovative solutions. It will also promote best practices and encourage new technologies through initiatives like the ‘Eco-Innovation Challenge’, which provides funding and support for innovative pollution reduction projects.

“This is an important project for the future of the region. By meeting our objectives, we can help restore the health of the Black Sea, bringing lasting benefits to both the environment and the communities whose livelihoods depend on its resources,” said Alexandru Cosmin Buteică, Senior Environmental Specialist and BBSEA Task Team Leader at the World Bank.