On 19 December 2024, Moldova’s National Hub organised the “Black Sea Forum for Beneficiaries and Stakeholders”, in Chisinau, Moldova. This event provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, government institutions, NGOs, academic experts, local community leaders, and private companies.
The event featured multiple sessions on various topics, as well as interactive Q&As, fostering real-time feedback, engagement, and the exchange of insights and best practices from ongoing and completed projects. The goal was to create opportunities for innovative proposals that advance regional blue economy development.
Key topics included leveraging the blue economy for sustainable development, identifying challenges and opportunities, and formulating public policy recommendations. Another significant focus was on strengthening regional cooperation and policy coherence, discussing the roles of various actors in the Black Sea’s value chain in contributing to R&D, sustainability, and economic development.
Success cases, such as the Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) project and the NANOPURIMON project were highlighted, showcasing effective regional cooperation in promoting blue economy and sustainability. These exchanges led to a roundtable discussion aimed at building innovative proposals for the Black Sea region. Between sessions, there was room for networking and B2B interactions, reinforcing the Forum event’s goals of fostering valuable connections between public and private sector participants and promoting harmonised riverine and maritime development. As a landlocked country, Moldova's strategic access to the Danube River and its tributaries is crucial for balancing economic growth with environmental protection, while also enhancing connectivity, food security, and regional cooperation in the Black Sea area.
The next steps involve consolidating the ideas and discussions from the Black Sea Forum event, to keep raising regional and national awareness and organising follow-up workshops to refine policies and actions related to the CMA. The outcomes will also serve as a foundation for sustainable initiatives supporting the blue economy, ensuring the momentum from the event continues with concrete actions and long-term impact. The National Hub will remain the key contact point for beneficiaries and stakeholders, providing valuable information and support for blue economy projects, funding, and financing opportunities.