The Black Sea Basin Cross-Border Cooperation Programme is an important regional cooperation initiative involving Armenia, aimed at promoting partnership among the countries of the Black Sea region, supporting economic and social development, innovation, environmental protection, and stronger people-to-people contacts. The programme brings together public authorities, local self-government bodies, civil society organisations, educational and research institutions, as well as business representatives in order to develop joint responses to shared challenges.

The first phase of the programme was launched in 2007 as the Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme 2007–2013. It was followed by the ENI CBC Black Sea Basin 2014–2020 phase, while the current stage is implemented under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027 framework. Over the years, the core rationale of the programme has remained unchanged: to build long-term links among the regions of the Black Sea Basin, promote joint development, and provide coordinated responses to common challenges.

The overall objective of the programme is to promote stronger, more inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the Black Sea Basin regions. It is designed to deepen regional cooperation, strengthen local capacities, address environmental challenges jointly, promote innovative approaches, and improve the well-being of the population.

The participating countries are Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Türkiye. Armenia is an eligible country in its entire territory, which enables Armenian institutions and organisations to participate in initiatives financed under the programme. Eligible beneficiaries may include national, regional and local public authorities, civil society organisations, chambers of commerce, academic and educational institutions, as well as other relevant entities.

Armenia has participated in the programme since 2007. According to information published by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, 22 projects involving Armenian beneficiaries were implemented during the 2007–2013 programming period. Armenia’s participation during this phase contributed to the expansion of international partnerships, strengthening of institutional cooperation, and the development of new local and regional initiatives.

Projects implemented during the 2007–2013 period with the participation of Armenian beneficiaries

1. Introduction of innovative waste management practices in selected cities of Georgia, Moldova and Armenia

2. Excellence in public sector

3. A Black Sea network promoting integrated natural WASTEwater treatment systems

4. Black Sea Buildings Energy Efficiency Plan

5. Black Sea Silk Road corridor

6. Local/Regional Economic Development Network as decisive leverage point for enhanced competitiveness in the Black Sea Basin regions

7. Regional Business Incubator’s Network (Black Sea BI-Net)

8. Integrated coastal monitoring and environmental problems in Sea region and the ways of their solution

9. Quality Certification System in agro-tourism

10. Culture exchange platform

11. Tourism paths of the Black Sea Region

12. Youth Action for Regional Coherence and Cooperation

13. Promoting innovative rural tourism in the Black Sea Basin Region

14. Sharing collectively the competences of the researchers to the farmers for a sustainable and ecological exploitation of the agricultural and environment protection

15. Continuous improvement strategy for increasing the efficiency of wastewaters treatment facilities in the Black Sea coastal states

16. Utilizing stream waters in the suppression of forest fires with the help of new technologies

17. Innovative instruments for environmental analysis in North Western Black Sea Basin

18. Citizen engagement in the prioritization, design and implementation of local development policies

19. Black Sea Tradenet

20. Industrial evolution in the Black Sea Area – examples from Greece, Romania and Armenia

21. Black sea cultural Animation program: Pilot model for mobilizing the common cultural characteristics for creative destination management in the Black Sea Basin

22. Capacity for integrated urban development

Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027

At present, cooperation among the Black Sea Basin countries continues under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027 programme, which is intended not only to maintain the cooperation developed in previous periods, but also to deepen and expand it in new directions. The programme is built on the understanding that the countries of the Black Sea region should respond jointly to challenges that are transnational in nature, including innovation gaps, climate and environmental pressures, natural resource protection, and the strengthening of people-to-people interaction.

In the 2021–2027 programming period, cooperation is structured around three main priorities: Blue and Smart Region, Clean and Green Region, and Competent and Resilient Region. Within this framework, the programme supports four specific objectives:

• developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities,
• promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention,
• enhancing the protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure,
• building mutual trust, in particular through people-to-people actions and cooperation.

This new phase is result-oriented and supports projects that can demonstrate tangible regional impact in terms of capacity-building, exchange of experience, formation of new partnerships, and development of joint solutions. For Armenia, the programme remains an important platform for deepening international cooperation, engaging in innovation and green agendas, and broadening regional linkages.

More information

Black Sea Cross Border Cooperation