The World Bank has approved a $6.39 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) GEF Regional Project. This initiative aims to assist governments and the private sector in Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine in reducing pollution in the Black Sea. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will be the recipient and implementing entity of the project.
Over recent decades, the Black Sea has become one of Europe’s most polluted bodies of water due to eutrophication from agricultural activities, chemical pollution, invasive species, ineffective wastewater treatment, industrial hot spots, and atmospheric deposition. These factors pose significant threats to marine and coastal ecosystems as well as local livelihoods.
The BBSEA GEF Regional Project will finance and promote eco-innovations to address eutrophication in the Black Sea. It aims to enable public sector institutions, development partners, and potential investors to identify, verify, and invest in innovative pollution prevention and reduction solutions. Additionally, the project will examine current regulatory frameworks related to water management, agriculture, aquaculture; develop national investment recommendations; and facilitate knowledge exchange on pollution reduction.
Aligned with the GEF 7 International Waters Focal Area and regional Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, this project supports key principles from both the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the Black Sea Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
The BBSEA GEF Project is part of a broader program designed to create a shared regional framework for sustainable management of the Black Sea. This program aims to reduce marine pollution, catalyze investments in the Blue Economy, and enhance cooperation among Black Sea littoral countries including Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Türkiye, Ukraine as well as Moldova.
“Climate change is intensifying the impacts of pollution in the Black Sea,” stated Carolina Sanchez-Paramo, Director of Strategy and Operations for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank. “The project will support strengthening preparedness of governments and the private sector in participating countries to take actions to reduce pollution in the Black Sea.”