The BRIDGE-BS 2nd Summer School was successfully held at Tbilisi State University from 15-17 September 2024, gathering 14 promising early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs) across the Black Sea region. Focused on the cutting-edge field of Blue Biotechnology, the summer school offered an engaging platform for participants to explore the role of innovation and science in driving sustainable development in the Black Sea and beyond.

The program featured two days of inspiring lectures from experts in Blue Biotechnology, which explored its critical role in fostering a sustainable blue economy. In interactive sessions, students worked collaboratively to develop both social and technological solutions aimed at addressing the region’s pressing environmental challenges. These hands-on sessions allowed the participants to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, generating innovative concepts for the future of marine biotechnology.

The final day of the Summer School focused on active discussions about the challenges facing the Black Sea, as the ECOPs presented their innovative ideas and developed remarkable biotechnology concepts to tackle these issues. The event concluded with a sense of optimism, highlighting the importance of empowering young professionals to lead the way in sustainable development through scientific research and technological innovation.

Stay tuned for further updates as these talented ECOPs continue refining their ideas and contributing to the future of the Black Sea region.