Romanian Black Sea Young Ambassador Elena Bisinicu, a researcher at our partner NIMRD, has taken on the coordination of REINFORSEA, a EU-funded project dedicated to advancing Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) in the Black Sea region. The project seeks to put ORRI principles into practice in marine research by promoting ethical integrity, transparency, public engagement, and stakeholder co-creation, ensuring that scientific practices are aligned with societal needs and contribute to sustainable marine governance in the region.

Elena has already contributed to the development of the ORRI Guidelines for Marine Research in the Black Sea, as well as creating engaging infographics to raise awareness on public engagement, gender equality, science education, open science, ethics, and governance. She highlights the essence of this mission, stating:
“When communities, scientists, and policymakers come together, the Black Sea thrives. That’s the power of responsible research.”

Beyond BRIDGE-BS, Black Sea Young Ambassadors continue to amplify their impact across the region, leading initiatives, collaborating with researchers, and working with institutions to strengthen a sustainable future for the Black Sea.