The Black Sea Project Awards 2026 celebrated regional excellence

The Black Sea Project Awards 2026 were presented during the CMA Stakeholder Conference in Burgas, recognising outstanding initiatives that advance sustainability, innovation and cooperation across the Black Sea. This year’s winners reflect the breadth of the Common Maritime Agenda’s priorities: QUEST and EX‑AQUA stood out for their role in mobilising investment and strengthening innovation in the Black Sea blue economy; BlackNETs and RESPONSE were recognised for enhancing regional capacity to protect marine and coastal ecosystems; and ecosySTEM was distinguished for advancing competitiveness, innovation and long‑term sustainability in the blue economy. Together, these projects showcase the region’s growing capacity to deliver impactful, future‑oriented solutions for the Black Sea.