Learn4Sea Project

CERONAV presented LEARN4SEA project at the national workshop on innovative marine technologies and environmental protection

✅ On 7–8 July 2026, representatives of CERONAV participated in the national workshop organized by the National Institute for Marine Research and Development "Grigore Antipa" (NIMRD) within the EfxINNOs project. The event, held in Constanța, focused on innovative technologies for marine environmental monitoring and the sustainable development of the Blue Economy. It brought together researchers, experts, public authorities, academia and a wide range of Romanian stakeholders interested in marine environmental protection and innovation in the Black Sea region.

As the Lead Partner of LEARN4SEA – Innovative Joint Learning for Environmental-Friendly Behaviour of Communities in the Black Sea Basin project, CERONAV was represented at the event by two members of its project team.

👩‍🏫During the session dedicated to Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin projects, LEARN4SEA Project Manager, delivered a presentation introducing the project, its international partnership, its objectives and the progress achieved so far. The presentation also highlighted the project's activities aimed at increasing environmental awareness and promoting environmentally responsible behaviour among communities across the Black Sea Basin.

Participants learned about the project's three key solutions: the network of Environmental Information Centres (EICs), the jointly developed methodology for air and water quality assessment, and the guidelines designed to strengthen cooperation among public authorities in environmental protection. 🌊The presentation also showcased the innovative educational materials, advanced monitoring equipment and pilot activities implemented in Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia and Türkiye.

📣The event provided an excellent opportunity to promote the achievements of the LEARN4SEA project, strengthen cooperation with Romanian stakeholders and explore future collaboration opportunities with organisations active in research, environmental protection and innovation across the Black Sea region.

The LEARN4SEA project is coordinated by CERONAV and is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027.
Project partners

✅The LEARN4SEA Environmental Information Center was officially launched in Constanta by the Romanian Maritime Training Centre - CERONAV

The participants were representatives of NGOs, research institutions, academia (both secondary schools and higher education institutions), as well as the very notable presence of representatives of Constanta County School Inspectorate and Interreg NEXB BSB Programme. 🤝In addition, members of the press, representing 9 different media organisations, were present. The Project Partners BDCA (Bulgaria) and PRU (Türkiye) also participated in the event.

🏡The centre established by CERONAV in Constanța serves as a regional hub for environmental awareness, informal education and stakeholder engagement in the Romanian Black Sea coastal area, and is designed to support a wide range of beneficiaries, including pupils, students, teachers, researchers, local and regional authorities, environmental NGOs, media representatives and members of the general public interested in environmental protection.

Project co-funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme
Project partners

🌊 Strengthening Cooperation for Black Sea Innovation and Learning

Representatives of the LEARN4SEA project (🔗 https://learn4sea.eu/index.php/learn4sea) actively participated in the ANEMONE PLUS (BSB00949) – Phase 1 Stakeholder Co-Design Workshop, held on April 22, 2026, in Constanța, Romania.
The event, organized under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027, brought together key stakeholders from governance, research, business, and civil society to contribute to the co-design of a WebGIS platform aimed at assessing the vulnerability of the Black Sea marine ecosystem to anthropogenic pressures.

💡 During the session dedicated to Interreg projects on the Romanian Black Sea coast, LEARN4SEA representatives showcased the project’s innovative approach to maritime education and capacity building.

🚀 A highlight of the participation was the hands-on demonstration of immersive learning materials developed in Virtual Reality (VR) by CERONAV experts. Participants had the opportunity to directly test these training modules using VR headsets acquired through the project, experiencing first-hand how digital technologies can enhance skills development in the blue economy sector.

🤝 The workshop provided a valuable platform for:
exchanging knowledge and best practices across Interreg initiatives
fostering synergies between projects addressing environmental protection and maritime training
engaging stakeholders in participatory, co-creation processes
LEARN4SEA (BSB00008) continues to promote innovative, digital, and practice-oriented learning solutions, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable Black Sea region.

🌍🌊 Earth Day 2026 | LEARN4SEA

This Earth Day, we highlight the mission of LEARN4SEA – Innovative joint learning for environmentally-friendly behaviour in the Black Sea Basin.

Through collaboration across Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Türkiye, LEARN4SEA is working to protect our environment by empowering communities and strengthening institutions to reduce pollution and preserve biodiversity.

💡 What we’re doing:
• Establishing Environmental Information Centres (EICs) as hubs for awareness and education
• Creating innovative environmental learning materials
• Delivering informal trainings for all education levels
• Monitoring air and water quality with modern tools
• Organising waste collection and awareness campaigns
• Supporting authorities with practical guidelines for sustainable cooperation

🌱 By combining education, action, and collaboration, LEARN4SEA is helping communities adopt responsible behaviours and build a cleaner, greener Black Sea region.

✨ This Earth Day, be part of the change. Every action matters.

🌎💚

The National Environmental Agency implemented a variety of educational activities in Batumi to raise environmental awareness among schoolchildren. Within the framework of the event, a meeting with students was held at the regional office of the agency. At the meeting, specialists from the Environmental Pollution Monitoring Department provided information about atmospheric air quality monitoring to the participants. In addition, students presented their presentations on the theme of Black Sea.
During the activity, the participants also got to know modern technologies, including educational games on environmental topics using virtual reality glasses.
Students also visited atmospheric air quality monitoring station and practically learned how it works.
In addition, a demonstration of an innovative drone collecting waste from the surface of the water was held on the lake in the central park of Batumi. This technology is successfully used in many European countries and plays an important role in reducing pollution in seas and lakes.
Activities were carried out within the framework of the project LEARN4SEA - Innovative joint learning for environmental-friendly behaviour of communities in the Black Sea Basin. The project is co-financed by the European Union, the program "Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme" and aims to raise environmental awareness, strengthen environmentally responsible attitude among citizens and reduce pollution in the Black Sea Basin.

🌊📚 LEARN4SEA with Seventh-Grade Students from Ovidius High School

On March 30th, 25 seventh-grade students from Ovidius High School in Constanța visited CERONAV as part of an informal training activity within LEARN4SEA project.
During the visit, the students learned more about the project and its objectives, explored interactive educational games and tried virtual reality headsets while testing the application developed by project’s professional team. They also got an up-close look at simulators and other maritime technologies used in the field, while discussing ways to adopt more environmentally conscious behaviours and reduce pollution.
Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and sense of responsibility made the activity both engaging and educational, sparking a genuine interest in the maritime world and in protecting the environment. 🕶️🎮💙.

Visit to the LEARN4SEA Environmental Information Center

On March 23, the Environmental Information Center in Varna and the BDCA team hosted representatives of the Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations – Varna (RAPIV) together with participants in the STREAM IT talent program.

During the visit, the girls learned more about the wide range of activities related to environmental protection, water and air monitoring. The program also included interactive games, through which the participants tested and expanded their knowledge about the Black Sea and its inhabitants.

A particularly exciting moment was the opportunity to try the latest VR training program with an environmental focus, developed within the LEARN4SEA Project. This innovative experience turned learning into a truly engaging and memorable journey.

The event was highly inspiring and clearly demonstrated the important role of science and technology in nature conservation.

Project co-funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme
Project partners

🌍💡 Lights Off - Earth Hour

This 28 March at 8:30 PM local time, millions of people around the world will switch off their lights for one hour in a shared act of care for the planet. Over the years, Earth Hour has become a global symbol of unity, responsibility, and commitment to a more sustainable future.

From the team, we see this moment as a reminder that real change starts with the choices we make every day and the example we set for others.

✨ One hour without lights
🌱 One strong message of care
🌊 One shared step toward a more sustainable future

Turn off the lights. Care for the planet. Inspire others.

2nd National Workshop in Varna highlights the role of synergy between technological innovations and environmental responsibility

On 24 February 2026, the Black Sea – Danube Association for Research and Development (BDCA) hosted the 2nd National Workshop meeting under project.

🤝The meeting brought together representatives of local and regional authorities, research institutions, educational organizations, the private sector and civil society. Among the participants were senior experts from the Regional Administration of Varna, the Vice Mayor of Shabla, representatives of Maritime Cluster Bulgaria, Technical University of Varna, Institute of Fish Resources, Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations – Varna, two high schools, and others.

🍃 At the heart of the discussions was a shared understanding that protecting the Black Sea region requires not only policies and infrastructure, but informed and responsible communities.

Participants discussed practical approaches to environmental protection through behavioral change, education, innovation, and active civic engagement. An inspiring contribution came from the Secondary School “Kapitan Petko Voyvoda” (part of the international Eco-Schools Programme under the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), as well as from Varna Maritime High School, proving once again that the school nurtures environmental responsibility from an early age.

🌊An immersive virtual reality (VR) environment was also demonstrated, showcasing innovative educational applications capable of deepening environmental understanding and sparking greater interest among young people.

✅The workshop concluded with a round table discussion and recommendations aimed at strengthening the role of local stakeholders’ cooperation for long-term cooperation and safeguarding the Black Sea for future generations.

Project co-funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme
Project partners