Local Action, Regional Impact: Black Sea Success Stories from the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme

The Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme showcases how local initiatives are generating regional impact across the Black Sea through five cross‑border success stories. BlackNETs strengthens marine litter monitoring and prevention through coordinated surveys and shared methodologies, while SEEDGUARD advances biodiversity protection by safeguarding native plant species and restoring vulnerable habitats. INTERSMARTS promotes sustainable tourism with smart tools and community‑driven digital solutions, and MARMAPS enhances maritime spatial planning through innovative mapping and data integration. Completing the set, STEP2CleanPlan supports coastal communities in tackling pollution and climate‑related risks by developing clean‑up strategies, awareness campaigns and preparedness measures. Together, these projects demonstrate how practical, community‑level action contributes to wider regional priorities and supports the implementation of the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea. Find out more about the projects in the full Success Story Article.