AlgaeRevive
Black Sea algae — from a symptom of pollution to part of the solution
BSB00091 · Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027 · Harnessing the power of algae to cut pollution and drive blue growth
Via Pontica Foundation’s role
Lead partner
Duration
30 months · 09.2024 – 03.2027
Status
Ongoing
Total budget
1 470 899,04 €
EU funding
1 323 809,13 € (90%)
Partners
6 organisations from 5 countries
The challenge
The Black Sea suffers from eutrophication. Excess nutrients feed algal blooms, deplete oxygen and reshape entire communities. The problem has been known for decades and remains unsolved.
Less well known is the flip side: those same algae are one of the few natural systems able to draw nutrients and heavy metals back out of the water — while also being a raw material with real applications in food, energy and bioplastics.
The difference between algae as a symptom and algae as a resource comes down to knowledge. Algae research in the Black Sea region is still in its early stages. There is no systematic data on what grows where, when it blooms and in what quantities. The region also suffers from brain drain and low investment in science. Without data, institutions cannot react in time and businesses cannot take the risk.
What the project does
Black Sea Algae Knowledge Hub (Algae K-Hub). A decentralised online platform with open data, tools, documents and space for discussion and training courses. It will remain available after the project ends and is designed as permanent infrastructure rather than a project deliverable.
AlgaeSense — AI-powered monitoring. A tool that combines satellite data from the European Copernicus Marine Service with in-situ measurements from the partners’ equipment to detect and forecast algal blooms. The aim is early detection that allows a timely response instead of counting the damage afterwards.
Shared scientific infrastructure. Each partner acquires equipment that stays with its institution after the project. Via Pontica is investing in a marine drone and a floating monitoring station at two sites — Lake Burgas and Uzungeren–Poda — where they can be monitored and maintained over the long term.
Pilot actions for industrial application. Sampling and analysis of water and algae, measurement of heavy metals, taxonomic identification of useful species, evaluation of extracts by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and field application of Chlorella vulgaris, grown by the partners.
Knowledge exchange. Four international scientific conferences (Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Greece), two online training sessions on the platform and AlgaeSense, and four round tables to connect with business.
Via Pontica’s role
Via Pontica is the lead partner. We are responsible for overall management and coordination, for financial and contractual administration towards the Managing Authority and the Joint Secretariat, and for running the project Steering Committee. We also take part in the scientific work — field monitoring and research in close cooperation with Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov University.
The foundation’s interest in algae did not begin with this project. It grew out of Smart Farming 4.0 ALL — a cross-border project on hydroponics and aquaponics that we also coordinated.
Partnership
| Organisation | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Via Pontica Foundation | Bulgaria | Lead partner |
| Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov University, Burgas | Bulgaria | Laboratory analyses, heavy-metal adsorption, host of the Burgas conference |
| Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Institute, Georgian Technical University | Georgia | Water management, assessment of site suitability for cultivation |
| Odesa State Agrarian University | Ukraine | Agronomy, use of algae as biofertilisers and feed |
| Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Dimitra | Greece | Agricultural research and technology transfer |
| Ovidius University, Constanța | Romania | Marine ecology and biotechnology |
Key events
International scientific conference “The Black Sea — scientific approaches to ecosystem restoration and innovation in the blue economy”, Burgas, 16–18 December 2024, under the patronage of Prof. Dr Hristo Bozov.
International conference “From Algae to Action: restoring ecosystems for a sustainable future”, Constanța, 29–31 May 2025.
The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021–2027 Programme.