The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Blueing the Black Sea: Regional collaboration to reduce marine pollution
UNOPS is partnering with the Global Environment Facility, the World Bank and regional governments to help protect the Black Sea by reducing pollution and supporting sustainable development in the region.
- This article was originally published on 01 October 2024 and has been updated to reflect recent project developments.
Latest updates
12 June 2025
- UNOPS and partners officially launched the ‘Blueing the Black Sea’ project in Istanbul, Türkiye, marking the start of implementation and regional collaboration. The launch included the introduction of an ‘Eco-Innovation Challenge’ to support innovative, local solutions for reducing pollution in the Black Sea.
- “This project represents a vital step toward reversing environmental decline in the Black Sea. By supporting countries to act collectively with innovative tools and shared knowledge, BBSEA creates the foundation for lasting impact,” said Cosmin Buteica, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank.
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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.
BBSEA is a platform for action, linking policy, innovation, and investment to reduce pollution and protect the Black Sea.
“UNOPS is working closely with countries and partners to operationalize solutions that are technically sound, scalable, and regionally aligned,” 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.
