Implemented by: NIMRD Romania and LOMARTOV Spain
Funded under: Cascade funding scheme of REINFORCING.eu
Focus: Responsible research and innovation (RRI) in marine science
Completion: 2025
Turning values into action in the Black Sea
The Black Sea is not only a region of rich biodiversity and strategic importance, but also one of complex environmental and socio-political challenges. To address issues such as pollution, biodiversity loss and climate vulnerability, marine research must go beyond producing data. It must be participatory, ethical and aligned with societal values.
The REINFORSEA project – coordinated by the National Institute for Marine Research and Development (NIMRD) in Romania and LOMARTOV in Spain – set out to do exactly that. Through the development of the first Open Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) guidelines tailored to marine research in the Black Sea, the project is targeting researchers, policymakers, communities and industries in a shared effort to embed responsibility, inclusion and transparency into marine research.
Main achievements
The REINFORSEA team co-designed the ORRI GUIDELINES through a consultative, regionally grounded process. These guidelines interpret the six core ORRI dimensions – public engagement, gender equality, science education, open science, ethics and governance – specifically for the Black Sea marine context.
Each guideline includes definitions, key challenges, self-assessment tools, and examples of actions for improvement. To support their dissemination, the project also produced six visually compelling infographics, each aligned with one of the dimensions. These serve as entry points for a broader range of users – from students and teachers to coastal NGOs and government officials.
A regional survey of marine researchers provided additional insights. It revealed that while awareness of ORRI principles is growing (with 60% of respondents familiar with the concept), actual implementation remains limited. Only 14% considered themselves advanced users. Barriers identified included lack of training, resource constraints, and difficulties in engaging local communities.
Why it matters
In a region marked by diverse political realities and fragmented research landscapes, shared standards for openness and responsibility are vital. The Black Sea’s future depends on collective efforts and inclusive science.
The REINFORSEA guidelines and outreach tools offer both vision and structure. They cover scenarios such as:
Co-designing marine studies with coastal communities
Broadcasting video series highlighting women’s contributions to Black Sea marine science
Making marine data freely accessible without compromising ethical standards
Promoting fair representation in decision-making and governance
Supporting Black Sea Marine Watch, encouraging citizen participation in biodiversity monitoring
Producing interactive biodiversity maps, ethical data-sharing protocols and open science podcasts
“We need science that works with people, not just for them. These guidelines help embed that mindset into every step of marine research. Science works best when everyone’s involved. That’s how we build trust, visibility and real solutions for the Black Sea,” says Mihaela Mirea, lead author at LOMARTOV.
Elena Bisinicu, coordinator and researcher at NIMRD adds: “When communities, scientists and policymakers come together, the Black Sea thrives. That’s the power of responsible research.”
Innovation in communication
REINFORSEA placed strong emphasis on accessibility and visibility. Its communication tools made RRI concepts clear, relatable and actionable.
Some outstanding examples include:
The “Black Sea Marine Watch” social media campaign, sharing real-time updates on biodiversity and water quality from citizen scientists
A YouTube video series featuring interviews with local fishers, aquaculture farmers and researchers discussing sustainable practices
Policy roundtables for youth, allowing students to simulate marine decision-making
Multilingual marine research summaries made available in English, Romanian, Bulgarian, Turkish, Ukrainian and Georgian
Community storytelling videos, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific narratives
A blueprint for the future
REINFORSEA is more than a one-time project. It is a scalable model for embedding open and responsible research in marine systems across Europe. Its tools are freely available, adaptable and designed to inspire action at multiple levels.
The guidelines can support:
Horizon Europe and EU Mission projects on oceans and climate
National policy development and RRI integration into research institutions
Marine curricula in secondary and higher education
NGO campaigns and advocacy for marine justice and sustainability
Next steps include expanding training opportunities, fostering cross-border cooperation and co-creation activities.
For more information, you can find the project presentation here.