The BRIDGE-BS Consortium Held Its Final General Assembly

The BRIDGE-BS Consortium gathered for its final General Assembly on October 1–2, 2025, at the Middle East Technical University Institute of Marine Sciences (METU IMS) in Mersin, Türkiye. The two-day meeting held great significance for the project, offering an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and results, explore pathways to sustain its legacy, and chart future directions for Black Sea research and innovation.

The meeting opened with remarks by Agota David and Emina Mamaca from the European Commission’s DG RTD, and Project Advisor Gonzalo Garcia De Arboleya, setting the stage for in-depth discussions on the exploitation of results, policy integration, and technological innovations.

The first session featured presentations by each Pilot Site leader, showcasing the main activities carried out, including observations, stakeholder engagement, and local-level results. Drawing on research cruises, a basin-wide perspective on the Black Sea ecosystem state was also presented.

The discussions continued with a focus on the Digital Twin Ocean Demonstrator for the Black Sea, insights into building regional resilience, and approaches to integrating model outputs and socio-economic data into policymaking.

The second day centered on legacy and long-term impact. Key topics included the BRIDGE-BS Policy Brief and Roadmap, as well as recommendations for adaptive management. Special attention was given to capacity building and youth engagement through the Black Sea Young Ambassadors and upcoming MOOCs, recognized as essential components of the project’s enduring legacy.

The Assembly concluded with a wrap-up session addressing how to ensure the sustainability of the project’s legacy elements such as the Black Sea Ecosystem Observatory (BS BEO)Digital Twin Ocean Demonstrator, novel sensor technologies and collaborative methodologies.

The consortium also finalized plans for publications and reporting, ensuring that BRIDGE-BS outcomes remain accessible and impactful well beyond the project’s lifetime.