A major recognition for EX-AQUA and its contribution to a more innovative and sustainable Black Sea blue economy.

EX-AQUA has been awarded at the Black Sea Project Awards 2026 in the category “Fostering Investment in the Black Sea blue economy.”

The award was presented on 30 September 2026 in Burgas, Bulgaria, during the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea (CMA) Annual Stakeholder Conference 2026, bringing together stakeholders and projects working to advance sustainable development, innovation and cooperation across the Black Sea region.

Recognising EX-AQUA’s contribution to the Blue Economy

EX-AQUA is working to strengthen excellence and competitiveness in marine algae aquaculture while developing innovative solutions that can contribute to sustainable economic growth and healthier marine ecosystems.

The award recognises the project’s efforts to:

• strengthen research and innovation capacity in algae aquaculture;
• promote knowledge and technology transfer;
• develop innovative solutions for sustainable algae production and blue biotechnology;
• create opportunities for investment and sustainable economic development;
• strengthen cooperation between research organisations, businesses, universities, public authorities and other stakeholders.

By connecting expertise across sectors and countries, EX-AQUA is helping to build a stronger regional ecosystem around algae aquaculture and blue biotechnology.

Innovation through collaboration

The Black Sea faces complex environmental and economic challenges that require cooperation, knowledge sharing and innovative approaches. EX-AQUA brings together partners with complementary expertise to address these challenges and unlock the potential of marine algae as a sustainable resource.

Through collaboration between research institutions, academia, industry and public authorities, the project aims to bridge the gap between research and practical applications. This approach can help accelerate the uptake of innovative technologies while creating new opportunities for the sustainable development of the Black Sea blue economy.

The recognition at the Black Sea Project Awards is therefore not only an achievement for EX-AQUA, but also a celebration of the partnership and collective expertise driving the project forward.

Looking ahead

For NIMRD “Grigore Antipa”, the award represents an important recognition of the work carried out with EX-AQUA partners and of its ambition to become a centre of excellence and an active promoter of the Blue Economy in the Black Sea region.

EX-AQUA warmly thanks all project partners, as well as the researchers and colleagues whose expertise and commitment continue to drive the project.

This recognition strengthens EX-AQUA’s ambition to keep advancing algae aquaculture, innovation, knowledge transfer and sustainable blue growth.