RESPONSE - Empowering the Black Sea to face conflict-induced marine pollution

Coastal and marine ecosystems in the Black Sea are under growing pressure from global challenges, including pollution, climate change, and the environmental consequences of armed conflict. The RESPONSE project (full name: Building Response Frameworks under existing and new Marine Pollution Challenges in the Black Sea) is tackling these threats head-on.

It is creating innovative, cross-border training schemes to strengthen marine pollution management and response capacity across the region, with a focus on pollution caused by armed conflicts.

Led by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and involving partners from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Georgia, the project unites universities, research institutes, and NGOs in a shared mission: to safeguard the Black Sea's environmental integrity through science-based cooperation and modern training frameworks. The project is supported by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

Tailored training programmes for marine pollution preparedness and response

The project is developing advanced training curricula which blend expertise across borders and engage all parties from policymakers to local experts. RESPONSE is creating a set of tools and training curricula enabling all Black Sea coastal countries to:

1. Better understand marine pollution processes and the drivers of change;
2. Support institutional development for long-term training activities;
3. Improve scientific understanding to describe, monitor and mitigate pollution.

Key project's achievements include the design and testing of four pilot training curricula, a Digital Toolkit for setting-up, running and updating curricula, a Regional Action Plan for driving institutional participation, a Replication Guide to ensure the transferability of results and various dissemination activities leveraging the extensive RESPONSE network.

Prof. Antonios D. Mazaris, project coordinator, says

"Strengthening preparedness is the first line of defence against the long-term impacts of marine pollution on both ecosystems and human well-being. The RESPONSE Project puts this principle into practice by delivering tailored training programs, co-developed with key stakeholders, that enhance operational capacity across the Black Sea region."

Pivotal support from the EU

The European Union's contribution has been instrumental to RESPONSE's success. EU funding provided the financial and technical foundation to bring together a diverse, cross-border consortium and to deploy state-of-the-art technologies for training and data management.

For the beneficiaries, this support translated into enhanced institutional capacity, better access to shared knowledge, and stronger cooperation across the Black Sea basin. For coastal communities, it means improved preparedness against pollution events, cleaner marine environments, and increased opportunities for sustainable blue economic growth.

RESPONSE builds on past EU initiatives such as SEAS-ERA, EMBLAS-PLUS, and BS CONNECT, enhancing regional capabilities through modernised training, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based policy making.

Delivering on EU policy objectives with an impact beyond the EU

The RESPONSE project aligns closely with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 , reinforcing the Union's commitment to healthy, resilient seas. It also contributes to the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and supports the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the Black Sea, advancing the shared vision of a sustainable and productive marine environment by 2030.

The project's impact extends beyond the EU to all Black Sea coastal countries, including non-EU ones such as Ukraine and Georgia, who directly benefit from the development and implementation of training plans, dissemination of new knowledge and establishment of cooperation mechanisms. Countries indirectly involved gain access to RESPONSE tools, guidelines, and digital materials, allowing them to replicate successful approaches in their own contexts.

Challenges and the road ahead

While the RESPONSE initiative faces challenges, such as difficulties in stakeholder engagement and data scarcity, its strategic approach and EU backing position it as a model for future endeavours. By continuing to build networks and streamline policy recommendations, RESPONSE can overcome these hurdles and ensure enduring success in addressing the multifaceted issue of marine pollution in the Black Sea.

For more information about RESPONSE and latest updates follow them on their social media channels Facebook, Xand Blueskyand check the news on the project website.

Black Sea NGO Network Association (BSNN), Bulgaria

State Organisation Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IMEER - NASU), Ukraine

Black Sea Branch of Ukrainian Environmental Academy of Sciences (BSBUEAS), Ukraine

National Institute for Marine Research and Development "Grigore Antipa" (INCDM - NIMRD), Romania

Greens Movement of Georgia / Friends of the Earth (GMG/FoE), Georgia