Deadline: November 14, 2025
Applications are open for the UNOPS Blueing the Black Sea Eco-Innovation Challenge 2025. The Eco-Innovation Challenge (EIC) is part of the Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) project, designed to attract bold ideas that tackle pollution in the Black Sea. They invite innovators from the region and beyond to bring their solutions to the forefront.
By harnessing creative energy from around the world, the EIC transforms great ideas into powerful action, providing the funding and guidance to make a real difference for the Black Sea’s future.
They are looking for projects that address:
- Agriculture & Livestock Runoff: Eutrophication caused by agricultural runoff of pesticides and fertilizers or livestock waste.
- Municipal Wastewater: Eutrophication caused by under treated or untreated municipal wastewater.
- Chemical and Industrial Pollution: Contamination from industrial activities, including non-hazardous war-related pollution.
- Marine Litter: Plastic and other solid waste, including non-hazardous war-related pollution.
Funding
Participants may apply through two funding windows:
- BBSEA Focus Country Window (Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye): Grants of USD $50,000–$300,000 plus 12 months of technical assistance.
- Greater Black Sea Window: In-kind technical assistance worth up to USD $20,000 for early-stage solutions.
Eligibility
- Open to individuals, companies, organizations, startups, NGOs, universities, and research institutions from any World Bank-eligible country.
- Depending on your stage of innovation and institutional capacity, you can apply under either the BBSEA Focus Country Window (grant) or the Greater Black Sea Window (technical assistance).
- Individuals can apply, particularly under the Greater Black Sea Window which does not require institutional grant management capacity. However, the BBSEA Focus Country Window requires applicants to be legally registered organizations with the financial and legal capacity to manage a grant.
- Global applicants are welcome. However, for the BBSEA Focus Country Window, you must propose implementation in Georgia, Moldova, or Türkiye. Partnering with local organizations is encouraged.
Application
Submit your EOI via email to [email protected] with the subject line: EOI for the Eco-Innovation Challenge. While use of the Annex A application form is strongly recommended for completeness, you may submit in any format that clearly addresses the required components.
For more information, see FAQ and visit BBSEA Eco-Innovation Challenge.
