Burgas hosts the International Blue Academy and Forum "Black Sea 2030" under the project "In support of the blue and intelligent transformation of the Black Sea Basin - Blue Gates" - Blue Gates BSB 00189, financed under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Program.
The initiative takes place from October 20 to 24, 2025. and its goal is to bring together experts, ideas and innovations in the name of the blue transformation of the Black Sea region.
The five-day event, implemented under the Blue Gates project (Blue Gates – BSB 00189), combines a series of training and practical activities within the framework of the International Academy for the Blue Economy and will conclude with the one-day International Forum "Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future".
The project involves 5 partners who will work for the creation of a Blue technological marine cluster and hub in a consortium with partners the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA Turkey), the Network of Black Sea Universities BSUN Romania, Burgas Municipality, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Trabzon, Turkey, Odesa National Maritime University, Ukraine.
The establishment of a transnational blue economy cluster will promote the deployment of innovative technologies, digital solutions and research capacity for the sustainable development of the Black Sea region.
Burgas Municipality, in partnership with Burgas Free University, "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" University and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", organizes the international blue academy, including lectures, practical training and field visits. The participants will visit key sites related to the maritime economy and innovation - St. Anastasia Island, Chengene Skele tourist complex, the Institute of Oceanology in Varna and Veríng Yachts, specialized in the production of a wide range of high-tech sailing and motor yachts.
Within the training and discussion modules, topics such as: monitoring and assessment of marine environment pollution will be addressed; innovative technologies in the circular economy; aquaculture, biotechnology and "blue" growth laboratories.
The Academy aims to promote training and cooperation in the field of the blue economy and establish Burgas as a leading regional center for blue science and technology.
The "Black Sea 2030" International Forum is the final event in the program and will be held on October 24, 2025 at the International Congress Center - Burgas (ICCB). The forum will bring together representatives of local and national authorities, European institutions, academia, business and non-governmental organizations from the entire Black Sea region.
The forum has the ambition to become an annual international platform for the exchange of knowledge, policies and good practices, which will continue to establish Burgas as a leading center for the blue transformation of the Black Sea basin.
