Blue Horizon
Empowering Youth for a Plastic-Free Black Sea
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
About the project
A generation empowered to protect the Black Sea.
Blue Horizon addresses the urgent challenge of single-use plastic pollution in the Black Sea region by empowering young people, youth workers and youth councils to become active participants in environmental action and policy dialogue.
Through capacity-building activities, international training courses, youth exchanges, policy simulations and cross-border cooperation, the project strengthens the knowledge, skills and organisational capacity needed to tackle plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices.
The project connects youth organisations across the Black Sea region while encouraging young people to participate more actively in local and national environmental decision-making.
Why the Black Sea?
Plastic pollution, particularly single-use plastic waste, represents a serious threat to marine ecosystems, biodiversity and communities across the Black Sea region. Blue Horizon responds by connecting environmental awareness with youth participation, non-formal education, international cooperation and policy engagement.
Protect Marine Ecosystems
Safeguarding the biodiversity and ecological health of the Black Sea for present and future generations.
Reduce Single-Use Plastic
Building knowledge and skills to reduce plastic waste at individual, organisational and policy levels.
Empower Young Changemakers
Equipping young people with the tools, confidence and networks to drive environmental action in their communities.
Project Objectives
Six objectives guiding our work across the Black Sea region.
Empower Young People
Strengthen the capacity of youth workers and youth council members to participate in environmental decision-making.
Build Knowledge
Increase understanding of environmental policies, legislation and challenges connected with single-use plastic pollution.
Develop Skills
Build public speaking, debating, policy communication, reporting and advocacy skills.
Support Youth Participation
Encourage meaningful involvement of young people in local and national policy processes.
Strengthen International Cooperation
Connect organisations across the Black Sea region through shared learning and practical activities.
Create Lasting Resources
Develop digital tools, educational resources, videos, an e-brochure and the Blue Horizon BLACKSEA Guide.
Six Countries — One Horizon
A consortium of youth organisations united by a shared commitment to a plastic-free Black Sea.
Pan European Alliance Georgia (PEAG)
The coordinating organisation, responsible for overall project management, quality assurance and reporting.
Civic Organisation Misto Aktivnyh Gromadan (MAG)
Ukrainian partner contributing to capacity building activities and youth engagement.
Asociatia Obsteasca Centrul Republican Gutta-Club
Moldovan partner leading dissemination and exploitation activities.
E Genclik Dernegi
Turkish partner leading monitoring and evaluation activities.
Institute for Development of Training and Mobility (IDTM)
Bulgarian partner leading capacity building activities.
Asociatia Educreate
Romanian partner contributing to youth exchange and intercultural learning activities.
Our Journey
From cooperation to action across the Black Sea region
Kick-off Meeting
Partners gathered in Tbilisi for the official launch of Blue Horizon. The meeting established the implementation framework, clarified responsibilities, discussed the work plan and strengthened cooperation across the consortium.
The beginning of a shared regional mission for a plastic-free Black Sea.
Training Course — Moldova
Participants strengthened their understanding of plastic pollution, environmental practices, legislation and strategies for reducing single-use plastic waste. The activity combined non-formal learning, international exchange and environmental education, empowering participants to transfer their knowledge to their organisations and communities.
Youth Exchange — Romania
Young people from Georgia, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova came together for an international youth exchange focused on reducing, reusing and recycling plastic. Through group work, environmental activities and intercultural learning, participants explored practical solutions to plastic pollution while developing international friendships and teamwork skills.
Intercultural Learning: Participants shared traditional food, music, dances and customs, strengthening intercultural understanding across the partnership.
Training Course — Türkiye
The Türkiye training focused on strengthening communication and advocacy skills for youth workers and youth council representatives. Training themes included public speaking, debating, environmental policy communication, report writing, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and practical communication skills.
Local Cooperation in Mudanya: During the programme, participants visited Mudanya City Council and met local representatives to discuss environmental sustainability, youth engagement and opportunities for future cooperation.
Mid-Term Evaluation Meeting
Representatives from all six partner organisations gathered in Kayseri for the Blue Horizon Mid-Term Evaluation Meeting. Two representatives from each organisation participated in the meeting to review progress, assess completed activities, exchange experiences and jointly prepare the project's mid-term reporting process.
The Mid-Term Meeting was originally foreseen in Sumy, Ukraine and was subsequently implemented in Kayseri, Türkiye.
Black Sea Plastic Policy Roundtable
A policy simulation and dialogue involving young people, youth organisations, public authorities and relevant stakeholders.
Youth Empowerment / BLACKSEA Guide Workshop
A collaborative workshop consolidating project learning into guidance for youth workers and youth councils on environmental participation and policy engagement.
Final Meeting & Conference
Final review, dissemination of project results, sustainability planning and future cooperation.
From Activities to Impact
Project outputs and results developed through Blue Horizon activities.
Quality Assurance Framework
A project Quality Assurance Plan was developed to establish clear quality standards, partner responsibilities, monitoring mechanisms and evaluation processes.
The Quality Assurance Plan is an internal project document and is not available for public download.
E-Brochure
Environmental practices, environmental legislation, single-use plastic pollution in the Black Sea region and relevant European policy.
Marine Awareness Video
Developed through the Romania Youth Exchange. Focus: protected marine ecosystems and the impact of single-use plastic pollution.
Project Website
A central online hub for project information, activities, resources, dissemination and long-term visibility.
Blue Horizon BLACKSEA Guide
A practical guide for youth workers and youth councils supporting participation in environmental decision-making and engagement of young people, including young people with fewer opportunities.
Youth. Cooperation. Action.
Blue Horizon creates lasting change through four interconnected pillars.
Knowledge
Young people and youth workers develop stronger environmental and policy knowledge.
Skills
Participants improve advocacy, communication, public speaking and collaboration skills.
Participation
Young people are encouraged to become more active in environmental decision-making.
Cooperation
Organisations from six countries build long-term cross-border partnerships.
How the Project Works
Blue Horizon is structured around four work packages, each led by a partner organisation.
Connect With Blue Horizon
Interested in our activities, resources or future cooperation? Get in touch with the Blue Horizon team.
Get in TouchBlue Horizon: Empowering Youth for a Plastic-Free Black Sea
Project No. 101185728
Coordinator
Pan European Alliance Georgia (PEAG)
Partners
Georgia · Ukraine · Moldova · Türkiye · Bulgaria · Romania
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.