International Centre for Black Sea Studies

𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 – 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 & 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

🌍 On the occasion of the World Day (5 June), the publishes a set of with data about the current status and progress of environmental sustainability across the 13 countries.🌱

Let's focus on the environment.
The time to act is now.

🔎 Discover More: https://icbss.org/world-environment-day-2026-black-sea-region-facts/

World Environment Day 2026 #NowForClimate│Facts from the Black Sea region - ICBSS - International Centre for Black Sea Studies On World Environment Day (5 June), the ICBSS publishes a set of infographics with data about the current status and progress of environmental sustainability across the 13 BSEC countries.

🗞️ On 19 – 21 May 2026, ICBSS Junior Project Manager, Ms. Elpida Besi, participated at the 4th Toural Project General Assembly, held in Pineto, Teramo Province 🇮🇹
The meeting was organised and hosted by the project partners, the Provincia Di Teramo and .

During the GA meeting, project partners discussed the work that has already been completed during the second one and a half years of TOURAL, as well as the next steps for the final months of the .

The leads WP2 on Cultural and Creative Tourism (CCT) Analysis & Policy Pathways aiming at stakeholders' engagement and co-creation of policies and business models.

🔎 More at: https://icbss.org/news-4th-general-assembly-meeting-of-toural/

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NEWS: 4th General Assembly Meeting of TOURAL - ICBSS - International Centre for Black Sea Studies On 19 – 21 May 2026, ICBSS Junior Project Manager, Ms. Elpida Besi, participated at the 4th TOURAL Project General Assembly, held in Pineto, Teramo Province, Italy.

📣 The congratulates the 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐧 🇦🇿 on the occasion of its 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 (𝟐𝟖 𝐌𝐚𝐲), and expresses its warmest wishes to the 𝐀𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞!

🗞️ PRESS RELEASE!

On Friday 22 May 2026, , in cooperation with the Дослідницька служба Верховної Ради України, organised successfully the Round-Table Discussion "The environmental impact of the war on the Black Sea", held in a hybrid format, in Athens 🇬🇷

The event aimed to raise awareness on the direct and indirect environmental impact of military activities and mobilise stakeholders in efforts to safeguard the ecological value and economic resilience of the

🔎 Discover More: https://icbss.org/event/round-table-discussion-the-environmental-impact-of-the-war-on-the-black-sea/

🔴 The congratulates 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚 🇬🇪 on the occasion of its 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 (𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐚𝐲), and expresses its warmest wishes to the 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 people!

📢 Last chance to register!

🌊 Round‑Table Discussion: The Environmental Impact of the War on the Black Sea

Join the Discussion: https://form.jotform.com/icbss/icbss-rsvru-round-table-athens

📍 Moxy Athens City Hotel, 🇬🇷
🗓️ 22 May 2026, 10:00–12:00 EEST
ℹ️ https://icbss.org/event/round-table-discussion-the-environmental-impact-of-the-war-on-the-black-sea/

🚨 ICBSS Photo Competition 2026: Public voting is now open!

📢 17 photos have met the selection criteria and are now competing for a place in the ICBSS 2027 Calendar!

🏆 The 12 winning photos will be selected through public voting on the ICBSS page.

🗓️ Voting period: 18 May – 26 June 2026
✅ Valid voting reactions: Like 👍Heart ❤️ Care 🥰 Wow 😮

👉 Take a look at the entries and for vote your favourites.
Good luck to all participants!

Vote at: https://www.facebook.com/icbss.org/posts/1400499042121384

More at: https://icbss.org/icbss-photo-competition-2026-public-voting/

ICBSS Photo Competition 2026: Public voting is now open! - ICBSS - International Centre for Black Sea Studies On Monday 18 May 2026, the ICBSS launched the public voting period for the 12 winning photos to feature in the 2027 ICBSS Calendar. Open until 26 June 2026!

🚨 𝐈𝐂𝐁𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 '𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐲 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.'

📢 17 photos have met the selection criteria and are now competing for a place in the ICBSS 2027 Calendar!
The 12 winning photos will be selected through public voting on the ICBSS page.

🗓️ Voting period: 18 May – 26 June 2026
✅ Valid voting reactions: Like 👍Heart ❤️ Care 🥰 Wow 😮

👉 Take a look at the entries and for vote your favourites.
Good luck to all participants!

More at: https://icbss.org/icbss-photo-competition-2026/

📣 On behalf of the , a big 'Thank You' to all of the webinar participants.
🤝 A special 'Thank You' to the esteemed speakers who contributed with their valuable insights.

Dr. Margarita Alexomanolaki - Head of Art on Prescription Programme, Head of Performing Arts and Cinema Directorate
Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού

Ms. Haroula Christodoulou - Unesco Center for Women and Peace in the Balkan Countries

Ms. Jana Eckert - Director, Coordinator Culture on Prescription Erasmus+ project
Institute for Social Infrastructure - Institut für Soziale Infrastruktur

Prof. Albana Fico - University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania

Doç. Dr. Mariam Kavakci - Advisor to the President
Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye

Ms. Yioula Koutsoubou - Zero Waste Artist and Educator

Mr. Georgios Mitrakos - Director General

H.E. Amb. Dimitrios Rallis Deputy Secretary General, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC PERMIS

Dr. Rarița Zbranca - Programme Director,
Centrul Cultural Clujean; Co-director, Centre for Culture, Health and Social Well-being, Romania; Lead partner CARE - Culture for Mental Health project and Partner Culture and Health Platform

Webinar on Culture & Health | The role of creative arts in promoting mental wellness - ICBSS - International Centre for Black Sea Studies The International Centre for Black Sea Studies is a related body of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and helps building a sustainable Future for the Black Sea Area

🗞️ 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄!

📌 On Wednesday 13 May 2026, in cooperation with the Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation BSEC ( PERMIS), organised successfully a 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 with title, “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬”.

ℹ️ More than 60 participants joined the online event that provided an exchange platform for health professionals and culture experts, with the aim to increase understanding of how creative arts can support mental health and emotional wellbeing; share evidence-based insights showcasing the positive impact of creative arts on people and communities; raise awareness and initiate an open dialogue on mental health, in order to support inclusivity and mitigate societal stigma and discrimination.

🎥 Watch the Webinar: https://youtu.be/LDg8dsiK0VI
🔎 Discover More: https://icbss.org/event/webinar-the-role-of-creative-arts-in-promoting-mental-wellness/

Webinar on Culture & Health | The role of creative arts in promoting mental wellness - ICBSS - International Centre for Black Sea Studies The International Centre for Black Sea Studies is a related body of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and helps building a sustainable Future for the Black Sea Area