| Abstract |
The Black Sea holds immense strategic and economic value as a hub linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Yet, its Blue Economy-encompassing fisheries, tourism, transport, renewable energy, and marine biotechnology-remains underutilized and fragmented. The EU-funded DOORS project addresses this gap by fostering collaboration among scientists, citizens, and industry stakeholders to tackle marine degradation and climate impacts. Utilizing a System Innovation Approach (SIA) and Multi-Actor Forums (MAFs), the project supports the co-creation of innovation pathways aligned with stakeholder needs and regional policy agendas, including the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) and the Black Sea Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). Through the design and implementation of Multi Actor Fora across six Black Sea countries - Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine -, this study reveals the sectors with the greatest importance for the region, as well as the key challenges, and develops 26 tailored innovation pathways for all priority sectors. Results reveal major innovation gaps across sectors-particularly in sustainable aquaculture, maritime transport, and ocean governance-highlighting the urgent need for strategic planning, digital infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, and transboundary cooperation to realise a resilient and inclusive Blue Economy by 2050. |
