On April 15–17, a project meeting was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, within the framework of the project “Establishing and Operating an Innovative Marine Technology Transfer Network for Enhancing the Transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Black Sea Basin” (EfxINNOs), funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme. The event was organized by Ilia State University.
The three-day meeting included several key activities: a project partner meeting, a stakeholder meeting involving interested parties from the sector, and a workshop for young researchers. All sessions were conducted in a hybrid format, ensuring broad participation.
Participants from Georgia included representatives of universities, non-governmental organizations, and the industrial sector. A press conference was also held during the event, where scientific coordinators of the EfxINNOs project from different countries presented preliminary research results.
Young researchers participating in the workshop were selected through an open registration process. They represented various organizations in Georgia, as well as Istanbul Technical University, Democritus University of Thrace, and the University of Thessaloniki.
All partner countries and organizations actively contributed to the meetings. Future plans were outlined, and a series of engaging presentations were delivered, addressing both professionals in the field and emerging researchers.
The broader aim of the project is to develop and operate a cost-effective, innovative, and sustainable network of marine monitoring platforms. With partners from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and Georgia, the project fosters regional cooperation and supports the growth of marine innovation across the Black Sea region.
Funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme and co-funded by the European Union, with a total budget of €1,643,648.40, the initiative represents an important step forward for Georgia and the wider Black Sea Basin. It bridges scientific research, education, and environmental sustainability to support the development of a robust blue economy. The research activities are ongoing.
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EXPLORE THE WORKSHOP MATERIALS
16 April 2026 – EfxINNOs Joint Open Workshop: The agenda and selected presentations are available below for further reference. A selection of photos highlighting key moments from the event is also provided.
Agenda: link to download
Presentations:
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17 April 2026 – Black Sea Blue Growth Workshop Series on “Advanced Marine Monitoring for the Sustainable Blue Economy of the Black Sea”: The agenda and selected presentations are available below for further reference. A selection of photos highlighting key moments from the event is also provided.
Agenda: link to download
Presentations:
EfxINNOs_Ayse Gazihan_17.04.26
EfxINNOs_DUTH_Kokkos_CMEMS_EMODNET_17.04.26
EfxINNOs_DUTH_Kokkos_Data_processing_17.04.26
EfxINNOs_ISU_Chlorophyll-a_17.04.2026
EfxINNOs_ISU-Kupatadze_17.04.2026
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PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS
