BBSEA: Blueing the Black Sea GEF Regional Project

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The Project will benefit the Project Focus Countries through strengthening the understanding at regional level of economic impact of pollution (Component 1) and the regional knowledge platform. In addition, this Project has embedded scale-up mechanisms such as the preparation of investments under Component 2. Since the sources of water pollution in the Black Sea are not only from the coastal states, Moldova’s participation in this Project illustrates the importance of cooperation from a country in the Danube and Dniester watersheds. Country level activities presented in this project will take place in Georgia, Moldova, Turkiye and Ukraine referred to as the Project Focus Countries. Component 1 is practically a technical assistance component of the Project, aimed at addressing legal, regulatory, institutional and communication gaps with regards to the challenge of pollution prevention in the Black Sea; Component 2 is focusing on the investments, funding the eco-innovation challenge for businesses and other organizations to innovate with the aim to prevent pollution in the Black Sea. The Project will follow a phased approach, with Turkiye and Georgia being targeted first through the Eco-innovation Challenge, and Moldova in a second phase. Ukraine will undergo specific preparation of clean-up interventions to address the pollution impacts of the war and implementation once the security situation allows it. Component 1. Economic case to Invest in Pollution Prevention and Reduction (GEF US$1.128 million; includes consultancy services, training, awareness raising campaigns, consultations): Good understanding of the cost of pollution at the national and regional levels are an indispensable basis for further developing the Blue Economy in the region. Building on the analytical work prepared under Turning the Tide of Pollution specifically the “cost of inaction” and the “legal and institutional analysis”, this component will develop policy and regulation as well as investment recommendations to the governments of the Project Focus Countries.Subcomponent 1.1: National Policy and Institutional Framework (GEF US$0.323 million; includes consultancy services, consultations): The sub-component would build on the on-going and planned national investments for rural development, wastewater treatment, rivers basin and coastal zone management, as well as current institutional reforms that may present further opportunities for improved coordination. Good policy and governance at the national and regional levels are an indispensable basis for further developing the blue economy in the region. The sub-component will provide an assessment of the current national policy and legal framework and examine the alignment with regional and international instruments (regulations/conventions) on pollution related to water management, agriculture, aquaculture, tourism and shipping. It will provide recommendations for legislative and administrative reforms at national and municipal levels, aligning with regional engagements for improved coordination between sectoral agencies and for pollution control. National level analysis will take place in Turkiye, Georgia and Moldova. Subcomponent 1.2: National investment recommendations, knowledge exchange and regional dialogue (GEF US$ 0.805 million; includes consultancy services, training and consultations): The sub-component will include development of national investment recommendations for pollution reduction and management in Turkiye, Georgia and Moldova. Building on the findings from the Institutional, Policy and Legal Analysis prepared under Turning the Tide of Pollution, the sub-component will establish dialogue with the line ministries and ministries in charge of finance as well as key regional stakeholders. Within the framework of relevant regional and international frameworks, the sub-component will then identify the potential infrastructure investment recommendations at pollution hot spots, including investment concept, investment roadmap with baseline data, targets and monitoring mechanism. In parallel, the sub-component will foster knowledge by exchange of best practices. Knowledge products and trainings will be posted on the Black Sea Virtual Knowledge Center and disseminated through the IW:LEARN Platform. 1 % of the IW grant will be dedicated to IW:LEARN activities, including the content uploads to the online website, production of project experience notes, and the participation of the project in IW Biannual conferences. This subcomponent will also support assessing the pollution impacts and selection and preparation of small clean-up activities in Ukraine for specific pollution generated by the ongoing war such as debris and rubble, once the situation permits it and should the security situation allow it. Component 2. Green & innovative financing (GEF US$ 4.961 million). This component will improve the readiness of both the public and private sectors in the four Project Focus Countries and provide them with access to financial investment, innovation and technologies for pollution reduction and management. The component will follow a phased approach, with Turkiye and Georgia being targeted first through the Eco-innovation Challenge, and Moldova in a second phase. Ukraine will undergo specific preparation of clean-up interventions to address the pollution impacts of the war (once the situation permits it).Subcomponent 2.1 Eco-Innovation Challenge (GEF US$ 3.918 million; includes consulting services, non-consulting services, goods, consultations): This sub-component will finance and promote innovation to address the eutrophication issue of the Black Sea that will allow public sector institutions, development partners and potential investors to identify, verify and invest in innovative solutions. The Eco-Innovation Challenge will include two different windows: (i) a region-wide challenge targeting early concept ideas; and (ii) three national challenges (one in Turkiye and Georgia in a first phase, and Moldova in a second phase) to support the pilot implementation of proven concepts and piloted ideas through provision of grants. Thus, selected eco-businesses could receive grants under the National Window. The overall theme of the challenges will be to “unlock the potential of eco-innovation to mitigate the impact of eutrophication in the Black Sea water”.- Eco-Innovation eligibility for regional challenge: The regional window challenge is targeting incubation of new and innovative ideas to address eutrophication. Eco-innovations could be any idea, early-stage concepts and technologies developed by entrepreneurs, academics, non-governmental organizations, youth groups, women’s groups and/or individuals for pollution reduction innovations particularly relevant for the Black Sea. The innovation ideas and concepts do not need to have any previous record of piloting. - Eco-Innovation eligibility for national challenge: The national window challenge is targeting acceleration of proven solutions (from anywhere) applied within the context of the Project Focus Countries and that can be implemented within one year. Eco-innovations could be scalable prototypes, proven solutions, including technology and business models. The innovators from the world could apply for this challenge and will be advised to identify local partners to work with in respective Project Focus countries. The innovators could be registered businesses, academic, non-governmental organizations that are interested in scaling the eco-innovation in the Black Sea region. - Further details on selection, eligibility entity criteria for both host of innovation and innovators, eligibility criteria for innovations, procurement, financial management and institutional arrangement of the eco-innovation challenge will be detailed in the Eco-Innovation Challenge Manual, developed by UNOPS and approved by the World Bank. Awards under the regional window and Grants under the national w