Romania has accepted the role of Coordinator to lead the implementation of the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea (CMA) in 2023. Building on the success of previous actions, Romania will now set its implementation plan, coordinate and organise regional events and activities. The focus of the Romanian CMA Coordinator for 2023 is environmental protection, blue economy entrepreneurship and blue skills.

The Steering Group Meeting for the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea was held to present and agree on the Romanian Coordination plan of activities for 2023. Proposed activities include holding a series of national and regional events to support CMA implementation, discussion on blue economy priorities as well as promotion and uptake of available funding opportunities.

The new web-site for the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea (CMA) is now live and offers more up-to-date information on the process of implementing the CMA in the Black Sea region, activities, events and achievements of the CMA National Hubs and regional observers and partners. It regularly shares news on upcoming events, most recent publications and calls for proposals for different actors to support implementation of the CMA in the Black Sea Region.

The European Commission has been supporting the establishment and implementation of three sea basin strategies in the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Western Mediterranean. A unique Assistance Mechanism has been formed to help support the implementation of the three EU Sea Basin Strategies, namely Atlantic Strategy, the WestMED Initiative and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.

The European Commission joins forces with 23 countries through the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership to launch the first joint call for a thriving sustainable blue economy. The total estimated budget is about € 50 million. Pre-proposal submissions are due by 14/04/2023, 15:00 CET; Full proposal submissions are due by 13/09/2023, 15:00 CET.

The event that brings together local self-organised events across the EU with common maritime interests will take place from April 1 to October 31, 2023. EMD in My Country was a great success in 2022, bringing together 630 virtual, physical, and hybrid events, covering all EU sea basins. If you are organising a workshop, conference, seminar, or any other ocean-related activity in the coming months, apply to participate in EMD in My Country 2023, one of the most important ocean awareness and activism events of the year.