On February 7, 2025, a co-creation workshop within the framework of the international project RESPONSE «Building Response Frameworks under existing and new Marine Pollution Challenges in the Black Sea» was held by the State Organization “Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Research of the NAS of Ukraine” (SO “IMEER NAS of Ukraine”) and the Black Sea Branch of the Ukrainian Ecological Academy of Sciences (BSB of the UEAS).
The event brought together participants from Black Sea Basin countries, including representatives from Bulgaria, Georgia, and Ukraine, both online and offline, while attendees included members of state administrations, inspections other authorities, of scientific institutions, educational establishments, environmental organizations, and public authorities, NGOs.
🌊 Key points of the event:
🔹 Presentation of the RESPONSE project and its tasks at the national level and at the level of the Black Sea Countries.
🔹 Discussion of environmental challenges of the Black Sea, including military pollution, oil emissions, microplastics, eutrophication and other threats.
🔹 Consideration of the best practices of international cooperation aimed at prompt response to pollution of marine ecosystems, in aspect of quick response readiness forming due to the appropriate training courses.
🔹 Co-creation of training programs for training specialists in responding to Black Sea environmental disasters.
A vivid debate emerged when discussing current issues stemming from both for the security risks arising Black Sea basin area, as well as the direct and indirect consequences of hostilities in this regard. Modern threats of marine pollution under the influence of military aggression hinder practical activities in the field of marine navigation and reduce the ability of scientists to practically monitor the state of water and biota in the Black Sea in the coastal waters of Ukraine.
The participants of the co-creation workshop discussed the need to create a single information platform for monitoring pollution and coordinating actions in the realm of marine ecology. The concept of integrating innovative technologies into the process of training future specialists was also presented.
The general outcome of the event was the idea of co-created clusters of modules for education and training programs divided by focus groups, namely: 1) students; 2) representatives of controlling bodies at the state, regional or municipal level; 3) environmentally conscious population.
The co-creation workshop was an important step towards the development of an effective system of training specialists capable of responding quickly to environmental challenges.
