In one week, the 4th edition of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum highlighting “The Eurasian nexus post 2022: high-stakes arena for security, trade and investments”, kicks-off in Athens Acropolis Museum on 13-14 December 2022, thus paving the way for a sincere, coherent and constructive dialogue, needed today more than ever before.

Secure your spot today to “Sharpen-the-saw”, Boost outreach and networking opportunities, Establish connections, Listen to insights, Engage & interact in spirited debates and constructive dialogues.

Among this year’s distinguished speakers:

* H.E. Željka Cvijanović, President, Bosnia and Herzegovina

* Ms. Angelina Eichhorst, Managing Director EUROPE, European External Action Service

* Mr. Xiao Junzheng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China

* Mr. Peter Svec – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Slovakia

* Mr. Zdenko Lucić, State Secretary for Foreign Trade & Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign & European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia

* Ambassador Lazar Comanescu, Secretary General, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation

* Ms. Alia El-Yassir, UN Women Regional Director a.i, Europe-Turkey-Central Asia

* Mr. Wim Mijs, Chief Executive Officer, European Banking Federation

* Mr. Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General, International Road Transport Union

* Dr. Nikolas E. Farantouris, Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law

* Mr. Wouter Zweers, Research Fellow, EU & Global Affairs, Clingendael Institute of the Netherlands

For more information regarding the event please check the Forum’s website: https://balkansblackseaforum.org/bbsf2022/

The Info Days for Horizon Europe Cluster 5 - Climate, Energy & Mobility - will now be held fully virtually instead of hybrid on 15-16 December 2022. 

The virtual Info Days will present the research and innovation topics proposed for 2023 under the Work Programme 2023-2024 of Horizon Europe  Cluster 5 - Climate, Energy & Mobility.

The sessions will give the opportunity to prospective applicants to learn more about the funding options under the new Work Programme with focus on twin green and digital transitions to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050.

The goal of the Info Days is to present 106 open topics of the Horizon Europe Cluster 5 calls for 2023 by way of a plenary and four parallel sessions.

For a detailed agenda, participation information and practical details, visit the event websiteSearch for available translations of the preceding linkEN•••

A separate virtual pitching session and brokerage session organised by the National Contact Points (NCP) will take place in the afternoon on 15 December. The brokerage session will provide to future project partners the opportunity to network, through dedicated meetings organised by sector. More information.

The Brokerage Event registration will be open from 7 November at 8:00 am until 28 November at 12:00 pm. News and updates will also be shared on social media via Twitter and LinkedIn. 

The deadline for applications for the Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Economy has been extended to the 24th of October, 11:59 P.M. (Italian time)!

Further information 

The Black Sea is looking for its new young ambassadors who will be a BRIDGE between scientists and the general public!

The Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme
The Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme (BSYAP) is an ongoing programme developed in September 2020, under the H2020-funded Black Sea CONNECT CSA, to unite youth for the future of the Black Sea, for a healthy, resilient, and the sustainable Black Sea.

The first cohort of young ambassadors has played an important role in advocating marine sciences and a sustainable blue economy in the Black Sea, and in promoting the goals of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (Black Sea SRIA). The BSYAs have brought a novel dynamic to the Black Sea CONNECT CSA, especially regarding visibility and dissemination efforts. They have become a voice for the Black Sea youth in different platforms and places, with the vision of re-connecting and creating the missing links in the Black Sea between citizens and our oceans and seas, as well as policy and science. Last but not least, they have conducted bottom-up and local activities in their countries within the framework of the Awareness Raising Campaign.

After the positive impact of the first cohort and the success of the programme, the BSYAP has been linked with the H2020-funded BRIDGE-BS RIA project, to increase the impact of the program and its visibility and to ensure its sustainability. With BRIDGE-BS, not only the foundations of the BSYAs’ work and efforts but also the bridge they have established between society and science will be getting stronger and broader in scope.

Become the new voice of the Black Sea!
With the aim of engaging a wider community of early career ocean professionals and equipping them with the necessary skills to become actors for change; the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme is looking for a new cohort of passionate and creative Young Ambassadors.

In the new cohort, each Ambassador will be asked to work more specifically on at least one of the Blue Economy themes according to their profession, such as Blue Bioeconomy & Biotechnology, Marine fisheries, aquaculture, and living resources, Marine non-living resources (oil and gas, other minerals) Marine renewable energy (Offshore wind energy, wave energy), Maritime transport, Research & Education, Tourism (Coastal and Cruise), Shipbuilding and repair, Cultural Heritage.  Ambassadors will be asked to focus their activity more specifically on the sector(s) that they are interested in/have experienced.

The engagement of the Young Ambassadors will enhance the visibility and actions of the Blue Growth Initiative in the Black Sea, increase the countries’ potential, and spread the research outputs and activities related to the Black Sea CONNECT and BRIDGE-BS.

The Young Ambassadors will collaborate with experienced mentors in the relevant countries around the Black Sea and Europe, to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities.

Information about the Programme

Within this program, Young Black Sea Ambassadors from Black Sea riparian countries, including the Republic of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Republic of Turkey, and Ukraine, as well as the Republic of Moldova, together with the ambassadors of different sea basins, will engage with key actors from political, social, economic and scientific fields to develop the necessary skills to become actors for change in 2022-2024 and beyond.

Objectives of the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme

• Training and equipping a new generation of young Black Sea citizens with knowledge, practical skills, and the potential to address issues on marine science, science & policy integration, and sustainable blue economy in the region.
• Developing a network of young influencers willing to be actors for positive change in their communities, countries, and beyond.
• Contributing to, and promoting, a richer mutual understanding of, values, identity, history, and cultures through a collective learning experience.
• Empowering the Young Ambassadors to take an active role in their communities and provide them with tools for social transformation.
• Allowing Young Ambassadors to meet scientists from leading Marine Science Institutes in Europe and beyond, contributing to their academic and professional career development.

For detailed information on Black Sea Young Ambassadors’ activities, you can visit the webpage.

Eligibility Criteria & Application Process

Young Ambassadors should be:

• Curious about the world, and the ocean. Interested in community building, science diplomacy, public engagement, education and training, and youth issues.
• Good communicators, and willing to use their creativity, imagination, and communication skills to help promote Blue Economy in the region (via blogs/videos/social media posts/performances and articles).
• Proficient in English, with a high level of English skills in both spoken and written forms
• Comfortable with public speaking.
• Aged between 20-35 years.
• Able to travel within their country and/or internationally.
• One of the following: i) early career ocean professional (early in their career – 10 years or less of professional experience – in any field related to the ocean) ii) MSc/MA/Ph.D. student or post-doc researcher who can demonstrate marine and maritime research, policy-relevant science and/or industry, iii) science communicator, iv) environmental NGO, v) activist, vi) science diplomat from the Black Sea countries. viii) a representative from a business/start-up that works with the Blue Economy Sectors.
• Able to volunteer to work as an ambassador until 2024 with possible extension.
• Committed to working in this program for two years from the period November 2022 and 2024 with the possibility of extension.

Application and announcement of results

Applicants are kindly requested to fill in the online application form (with the attachment of their CV) by 15 September 2022.

After reviewing the applications, shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the coordination team in the second half of September 2022. An online interview will be held with them. Selection results will be announced in late October 2022.

For detailed information on the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme and Application Criteria please check the “Information for Applicants” document.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

APPLY NOW

The Black Sea React! – Pilot innovative solutions for fighting marine litter in the Black Sea research project aims to contribute to the regional dialogue on mitigating and effectively tackling marine pollution and marine litter, while at the same time seeking innovative solutions to salient problems. The project is co-funded by the European Commission under Grant Contract ENI/2020/421-957, coordinated by the BSEC PERMIS.

The project’s activities pilot an innovative circular economy solution to marine (plastic) litter by involving local fishermen and a coastal municipality from the Black Sea region. In parallel, it develops a strong and positive narrative on marine litter prevention targeting specifically young people. Provided the pilot is successful, the proposed activity will ultimately strive to promote a follow-up joint action involving various coastal municipalities from BSEC Member States to tackle marine litter. The target group involves municipalities from the Black Sea littoral countries, fishing communities from Sariyer Municipality of Istanbul (Türkiye) and young people and primary school students from all littoral countries.

It runs under the coordination of the Permanent International Secretariat of BSEC (BSEC PERMIS) in cooperation with the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS), the GAMA Recycle A.S. and the Municipality of Sariyer. The USA Consulate in Istanbul is Associated Partner.

Within the framework of the Black Sea React! project, the Regional Essay Competition for the Youth “Saving our Sea: new ways to reduce marine pollution in the Black Sea”, a BSEC PERMIS and ICBSS initiative, was launched in the period May-September 2021. It aimed to raise awareness and motivate young people in the BSEC Member States to take action against the growing marine pollution challenge in the Black Sea.

The present collective edition includes the top ten essays of the Regional Essay Competition for the Youth. The essays were submitted by high-school students aged 15 to 18 years, citizens of the 13 BSEC Member States and addressed one or several questions, as follows: (a) How can you help tackle marine litter in the Black Sea region? Share your ideas and/or experiences!; (b) Why is marine litter prevention important?; (c) What do you think is standing in the way of a clean Black Sea?; (d) Have you ever participated in public or youth initiatives to collect marine litter? What would motivate you to do so?

On the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the BSEC Organisation, the present edition aspires to foster a culture of eco-friendly behaviour and environmental consciousness in younger age groups, as well as to motivate the wider society to learn from its youngsters in adopting sustainable practices for reducing marine litter and marine pollution.

Special thanks go to the supporting team: Ms. Rositsa Stoeva, Ms. Georgia Chantzi, Ms. Ipek Hokkaci, Ms. Evgenia Logiotatou and Ms. Athina Korovesi, for their valuable support provided throughout the entire process.

The Future Science Brief N°8 “Marine Science Communication in Europe: A way forward” has been launched in a dedicated webinar by The European Marine Board on June 23, 2022!

Read more: MARINE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION IN EUROPE – NEW EMB FUTURE SCIENCE BRIEF | Black Sea Connect (connect2blacksea.org)

The Microbial Ecology Centre in Lyon, France has an open PhD position within the context of REST-COAST. Find the full announcement here.

As you know, Black Sea Ambassadors have been carrying out local and regional awareness-raising campaigns to empower youth for Black Sea-literate societies through workshops, field trips, video blogs and more.  

Based on this, one of our ambassadors, Oana Poiana, has been organizing an umbrella photography contest named "Visual Storytelling of The Black Sea" as her campaign, open to everyone, in order to increase its impact and reach more participants.

The deadline is September 6, 2022, with a possible extension. We will be glad if you can help her and all young ambassadors by sharing the photography contest announcement and reaching broader participants through your channels. 

Read More

You can find the announcement and social media links below.

Website: Visual Storytelling of The Black Sea:Different Shores, Different Reflections, and One Sea | Black Sea Connect (connect2blacksea.org)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackSeaYouth/status/1558048979446910983?s=20&t=NYjs6LpRM2B7mcU36b-yXw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/108144418031057/posts/pfbid0roiJL3cXshBeSGoXmqPa9xCcs31fDySBuGNLtZpsPVxJs9XMk7my7d5C6aRCAPg2l/?d=n

Instagram: Black Sea Young Ambassadors (@blackseayouth) • Instagram photos and videos

In order to upskill and ensure the understanding of the challenges and opportunities to be addressed for a sustainable Blue Economy across the Black Sea, BRIDGE-BS conducts a range of educational and capacity-building activities. With this aim, a summer school is organized by targeting graduate students from the Black Sea riparian countries on 23-25 August 2022 (for a total of 4 days, including the arrival day), hosted by one of the facilities of the Istanbul University (IU).

The courses provided during the summer school will cover the main aspects related to the Black Sea ecosystem and six prominent economic activities for a sustainable Blue Economy in the Black Sea [marine living resources (fisheries and aquaculture), transport, tourism, energy, and biotech.

Objectives 

1. Equip graduate students with theoretical and practical skills to address issues faced by a sustainable Blue Economy in the Black Sea with a specific focus on the Blue Economy initiatives and key actors existing in the region (Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea, Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda Black Sea Commission and Black Sea Economic Cooperation),
2. Diversify possible career pathways for the next generations of practitioners in the sectors,
3. Widen next generation’s comprehension and appreciation of fundamental marine ecosystem functioning, challenges, and opportunities for its preservation,
4. Learn about opportunities in sustainable innovation and policy support across relevant marine and maritime sectors in the Black Sea as well as other EU sea basins,
5. Foster professional and educational networks and international partnerships that can improve activities in support of sustainable blue growth,
6. Stimulate actions for preservation and sustainable exploitation of the Black Sea ecosystem,
7. Improve professional skills for the development of the marine and maritime sectors in the Black Sea, as well as ocean governance, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Date and Venue
23-24-25 August 2022 at Istanbul University in Istanbul, Turkey

Application 

1. Fill out an online application form
2. Submit an up-to-date CV or resume that shows your educational background and work experience
3. Provide a statement of support from the student’s institution/university
4. Deadline: 30 June 2022

Fees, Costs, and Visa

1. All selected participants will attend the summer school free of charge and in person.
2. Selected participants’ accommodation (4 nights in shared dormitories: 2-people of the same gender), lunches, and some dinners will be covered by Istanbul University.
3. Subsistence costs in Istanbul for the duration of the training, are borne by the participants.
4. All participants are responsible for complying with the entry requirements to Turkey. Participants who need to be in possession of a visa should organize their visa procedure and cover the costs of granting it. Istanbul University and BRIDGE-BS Project support the accepted candidates with an invitation letter.
5. Accommodation and travel arrangements will be organized by Istanbul University for the selected students.

Selected applicants will receive confirmation and further practical details. Please do not make any travel arrangements before you receive the confirmation email.

Requirements
Candidates should fulfill the following conditions:

1. Only graduate students o any discipline related to the Blue Economy (economy, research, and/or policy) will be considered;
2. Candidates should be graduate students from Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Moldova, Turkey, and Ukraine; 
3. Candidates should have a good working knowledge of English (level B2 or higher);

Please note that: we offer introductory lessons on the main concepts and practices related to the sustainable blue economy and the themes relevant to the Black Sea region. This year, the summer school will focus on the following blue economy topics: marine living resources fisheries and aquaculture, transport, tourism, energy, and biotechnology as well as introduction classes: Introduction to Oceanography, Resilience of Ecosystems, Policy Framework.

Full accommodation, travel, and catering expenses of the summer school participants will be covered by Istanbul University.

APPLY NOW! 

In the framework of the H2020 DigiPrime project (Digital Platform for Circular Economy in Cross-sectoral Sustainable Value Networks) –  a new digital platform is under development, to accelerate the process of identifying cross-regional and cross-sectoral circular value chains, monitoring material flow and analysing the legislative landscape and barriers to addressing for the implementation of a more resilient economic system.

With the long-term view to offering Regions a comprehensive and fruitful service experience, Veltha, in partnership with DigiPrime and REPLACE, are hosting an EU Circular Economy Summer School.  

This one-week intensive training will guide participants through a 360° journey into the methodologies, strategies and tools that will enable everyone to set up a circular economy strategy for different Regions.

This Summer School is targeted only at regional officers, regional development agencies, or representatives of regions acting on behalf of them.

It will be delivered in lectures and workshops to understand the current circular economy landscape and the right expertise to master supportive tools to streamline the shift towards a more resilient economy.

This first edition of the Summer School will be held in Rome from Monday 11th to Friday 15th of July 2022 and will be completely free, with daily lunch and coffee break included. Accommodation, travel costs and other meals will not be part of the package and will have to be provided at your own expense.
 

You will find more insightful information in the following REGISTRATION FORM: https://tinyurl.com/velthasummerschool.

BRIDGE-BS aims to advance the Black Sea’s marine research and innovation to co-develop Blue Growth pathways under multi-stressors for the sustainable utilization of the ecosystem services. To do so it will develop an ecosystem-based management framework to enable policy uptake and foster citizen engagement. To this end BRIDGE-BS will try to establish an Ocean Literature Network that:

1. It will be built to develop ownership and stewardship for the protection of the Black Sea. 
2. This Network will bring together marine scientists, educators, and ocean professionals.
3. It will serve a knowledge base for anyone who is enthusiastic and curious about the Black Sea. 

The Ocean Literacy concept was introduced in Europe a decade ago. However, many organizations and individuals in the Black Sea countries have a longer history of teaching about their sea and engaging communities. Information about such teaching and engagement activities, which we collectively refer to as the Ocean Literacy Initiatives, is sporadic and hardly obtainable because it has never been inventoried consistently. Lack of information on Ocean Literacy Initiatives at the Black Sea Basin precludess effective collaboration and sharing of best practices among educators. To address this issue, EMSEA is working, as part of the BRIDGE-BS project, on inventorying, documenting and mapping ongoing and recent Ocean Literacy projects and initiatives in the Black Sea Basin that began in 2012 or later. Based on identified Ocean Literacy projects and initiatives we will build the Black Sea Literacy Network, through various team-building and stakeholder engagement strategies. 

You can find more inforamtion here!