The CMA Stakeholder Conference 2026 will take place in Bulgaria on 30 September 2026, once more bringing together policymakers, researchers, business leaders, investors and experts committed to shaping a sustainable and competitive future for the Black Sea region. This annual gathering remains a cornerstone for the Black Sea maritime and blue economy community, offering a dedicated space for dialogue, collaboration and strategic alignment.
Registrations are now open: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/CMA_ASC_2026
A Full Day Dedicated to Dialogue and Collaboration
Participants will explore progress under the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea, share experiences from ongoing initiatives and discuss emerging priorities for the years ahead. The programme will highlight the collective efforts driving innovation, resilience and sustainable development in the region’s blue economy, while fostering connections among stakeholders working toward shared goals.
Black Sea Momentum across the city
The CMA Black Sea Stakeholder Conference is the centre piece event of the CMA Black Sea Week, a dynamic week of interconnected meetings, workshops and networking activities bringing together policymakers, researchers, businesses, youth, project partners and regional organisations from across the Black Sea and beyond. Building on the success of its first edition in 2025, the CMA Week returns in 2026 to create a unique platform where ideas, partnerships and initiatives converge, extending the
impact of the annual Conference well beyond a single day.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in youth dialogue, scientific exchange, technical working groups, project networking, environmental action, and cultural heritage events in Burgas and Sozopol, with each activity building on the previous one to create a continuous flow of ideas, partnerships
and regional cooperation. Whether you join for one day or the entire week, the CMA Black Sea Week offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate and help shape the future of a healthy, resilient and sustainable Black Sea blue economy.
28-29 September | BLUE CONNECT workshop |
29 September | MEDIGREEN and EU4OCEAN event - Youth4Ocean |
30 September | CMA Black Sea Stakeholder Conference 2026 (main event) |
1 October | CMA Steering Group Meeting; TG SustAqua; TG SustTourism (closed meetings) |
1–2 October | Beach Clean-Up day Burgas, Underwater Cultural Heritage event - Sozopol, KIC Water event |
Stay tuned for the Black Sea Awards - Applications now open!
The Annual Conference will also set the stage for the Black Sea Project Awards 2026, now in their third edition. The Awards recognise outstanding, innovative and impactful projects delivered across the Black Sea region (Bulgaria, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine) that contribute to the three goals of the Common Maritime Agenda: healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, a competitive and sustainable blue economy, and fostering investment in the Black Sea blue economy.
Applications are open until 15 August 2026, with winners receiving results on 1 September. The winning project per category will be invited to pitch live in front of the audience at a dedicated Award Ceremony during the Conference on 30 September, followed by a live vote to decide the "winner of winners". All three winning projects will benefit from increased visibility through the CMA's digital channels, media outreach and a dedicated newsletter, along with the Black Sea Project Awards Seal and certificate.
You can find more information about the eligibility criteria, evaluation process and the link to submit your application on the dedicated page.
Showcase your projects during the annual poster exhibition!
The session offers a space for visibility, dissemination and networking, helping to promote best practices, foster synergies between Black Sea stakeholders and facilitate the transfer of technological, project and research knowledge. Posters may present recently launched, ongoing or recently closed initiatives, aligned with one of the Common Maritime Agenda's three goals: healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, a competitive and sustainable blue economy, or fostering investment in the Black Sea blue economy. Selected posters will be displayed during the conference's interactive exhibition, with a dedicated launch during the lunch break, and will be promoted afterwards on social media and the event page. Applicants are invited to submit their poster by 31 August 2026 through this link, with confirmation of acceptance sent by 15 September.
Looking Ahead: CMA Governance Meetings
Following the Stakeholder Conference, closed meetings will take place on 1 October 2026 for the CMA Steering Group and the CMA Technical Groups SustAqua and SustTourism, continuing the work of guiding implementation and supporting cooperation across the region.
Registrations are now open until 15 September 2026: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/CMA_ASC_2026
Stay tuned for more information and make sure to keep an eye out to our social media!