This event brought together experts from the BRIDGE project to discuss the progress and future direction of the project, aimed at fostering sustainable development in the Black Sea region.
The Assembly opened with a presentation by project Coordinator, Barış Salihoğlu, who provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s achievements and roadmap. He emphasized the long-term impact of BRIDGE-BS in enhancing collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices in the region. Vice-Rector of Tbilisi State University, Erekle Astakhishvili, gave a welcoming address highlighting the importance of BRIDGE and its role in advancing marine research, supporting a sustainable blue economy, and engaging citizens across the Black Sea region.
Day two featured dynamic presentations from the project’s Work Package leads and co-leads, who shared key advances in including understanding marine ecosystem dynamics, resilience landscapes, and the development of blue economy incubators. The day concluded with workshops on future scenario development and the establishment of a Blue Economy Observatory platform.
The final day of the Assembly began with presentations on data sharing, the development of a knowledge base portal, and progress on the BRIDGE Digital Twin Ocean Demonstrator. Discussions continued with updates on scientific cruises, long-term monitoring, and smart observation technologies aimed at exploring the Black Sea’s unknowns.
The EMB is leading on the development of a Policy Brief highlighting the key outcomes of the project, their contribution to policy implementation in the Black Sea, and recommendations for future research and policy. During the last workshop of the General Assembly, Britt Alexander led a foresight brainstorm session and discussions on the outline of the Policy Brief. She also addressed the critical need to effectively communicate the consortium’s scientific findings and recommendations to policymakers, in order to work towards a healthier and more resilient Black Sea.
Find out more about the BRIDGE project here.