Via Pontica Foundation Submits 2024–2026 Communication on Engagement to the UN Global Compact

On 14 August 2026, Via Pontica Foundation officially submitted its new Communication on Engagement (CoE) to the United Nations Global Compact, covering the reporting period from 7 September 2024 to 31 July 2026. The full report is attached at the end of this article.

History of our participation

The Foundation has been an active participant in the UN Global Compact since 17 November 2017 — marking its ninth year in the network as an organisation in the “Civil Society” category. Via Pontica is committed to applying the initiative’s Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption — not as a badge, but as an ongoing responsibility embedded in the Foundation’s project work, partnerships and governance.

A little about the network

The United Nations Global Compact was founded in 2000 and is the world’s largest voluntary initiative for sustainable and responsible business and organisational conduct, bringing together companies, civil-society organisations and institutions worldwide around Ten Principles derived from foundational UN instruments on human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption. Unlike business participants, who submit an annual Communication on Progress, non-business organisations such as Via Pontica submit a biennial Communication on Engagement — the very document presented today.

What the new report covers

During the reporting period, the Foundation expanded from a predominantly local conservation platform into a leading role in several transnational European projects:

• Lead Partner in AlgaeRevive (Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin) — algae-based innovation for pollution reduction and blue growth;
• Partner in MoreAdaptBSB — remote sensing and nature-based climate adaptation;
• Partner in SEAGROW (EMFAF) — feasibility assessment of regenerative seaweed farming in the Black Sea;
• Transfer partner in Wetland4Change (Interreg Euro-MED) — transferring wetland-based methodologies from the Mediterranean.

In total, the Foundation is active in 4 EU-funded projects spanning 12 countries and 30 consortium seats. The period included three international scientific conferences — in Burgas, Constanta and Batumi — the first field deployment of an underwater ROV for environmental monitoring, a four-country knowledge-exchange event in Burgas, and public culture and education initiatives including the travelling photo exhibition “Reflections on the Sea” and the audio initiative “Wetlands Speak,” dedicated to Lakes Vaya and Mandra.

At European level, the Foundation’s Chairperson, Ina Agafonova, became a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in 2025 and serves as rapporteur for the EESC opinion on the European Ocean Observation Initiative (OceanEye). Following an initiative by Via Pontica, the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria adopted a declaration against animal cruelty (March 2025).

“Participation in the UN Global Compact is not a badge but a continuing responsibility,” the leadership statement in the report reads. The Foundation commits to continuing to integrate the Ten Principles into its project planning, procurement, partnerships and public communication, and to submit its next report on time, ahead of the 6 September 2026 deadline.

The full text of the 2024–2026 Communication on Engagement can be downloaded below.