SDSN Black Sea - Sustainable Development Solutions Network

regional Network

Region: Europe

SDSN Black Sea mobilizes local knowledge to advance viable solutions to sustainable development challenges in the Black Sea region. The network, hosted by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and established in 2018, includes the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Key focus areas include monitoring SDG implementation in the region (SDR Black Sea edition, Black Sea SDGs Observatory); advocating for the transition to a low-carbon economy by organizing the annual Thessaloniki Sustainability Summit, and engaging with high-level events and initiatives like the UN's Conference of Parties (COP), the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET) and the Baku Forum. Additionally, the network focuses on empowering youth by hosting and supporting the chapter of SDSN Youth in the Black Sea.

Network Hosts

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Network Website

Stay Connected

Urban Sustainability Summit Convenes Stakeholders for Roundtable Discussions

SDSN Black Sea organized the 2023 Thessaloniki Sustainability Summit. This year's thematic focus was "Urban Sustainability" and gathered reknowned scientists, representatives from the private sector and government officials in roundtable discussions. The network also co-organized the 4th International Conference "A multi-centric world in the making?" from November 13-14, 2023.

Youth-centered, Socio-environmental Events Connect Students with Professionals

SDSN Black Sea has actively supported youth activities aiming at connecting students with professionals and scientists regarding societal and environmental issues through co-organizing targeted events. For example, by supporting SDSN Youth Black Sea and the SDG Students Hub AUTh., 150 people attended an informative event about floods in urban environments.

Gender Equality Project Promotes Women's Scientific Career Development

SDSN Black Sea participated in the webinar "Transformative Solutions for Achieving Gender Equality" by showcasing a proposal titled "Women Empowerment in Science." The project, presented by Prof. Olga Iermakova from the Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Researchers of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, aims to promote women's scientific work and encourage their career development in the field of science.

High-level Engineers Group Selects SDSN Black Sea's Chair as a Member

The Chair of SDSN Black Sea, Prof. Nicolaos Theodossiou, was selected as a member of the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), a high-level body of engineers and energy system experts helping build the UN Secretary General's coalition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In this capacity, Prof. Theodossiou participated in the CEET meeting alongside the UN General Assembly in September and at COP28 in December 2023. Additionally, the chair of SDSN Black Sea, together with the chairs of SDSN Europe, continues to actively offer support to Ukrainian universities.

SDSN Black Sea Network Members

Organization	Country	Network	Sector
"Athena" Research & Innovation Center in Information, Communication & Knowledge Technologies	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
Abdullah Gül University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
ADA University	Azerbaijan	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Agency for Innovation and Development	Moldova	Black SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Altinbas University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
American College of Greece	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Anadolu University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Ano Sei "Generation of Sustainable Development"	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Armenian State University of Economics	Armenia	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Association of Energy Markets Participants “Goal Number Seven” (GNS)	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Ataturk University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Athens Lifelong Learning Institute	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Athens University of Economics and Business	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)Research Institution
Aydın Adnan Menderes University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction	Azerbaijan	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Bahçeşehir University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Batman University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Batumi State Maritime Academy	Georgia	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Bilkent University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
Boğaziçi University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Business and Technology University	Georgia	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Cag University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Centre for Research and Technology Hellas - Institute of Applied Biosciences	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Chernihiv Polytechnic National University	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Comrat State University	Moldova	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Cukurova University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics Svishtov	Bulgaria	Black SeaBulgariaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Democritus University Of Thrace	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Ecological club "MGIMO GOES GREEN"	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Edam Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Ege University Environmental Problems Application and Research Centre (EU-CEVMER)	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development	Serbia	Black SeaWestern BalkansEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Environmental Investment Center	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Erciyes University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
Faculty of Economics, University of Shkodra Luigj Gurakuqi	Albania	Black SeaWestern BalkansEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana	Albania	Black SeaWestern BalkansEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Faculty of Health Sciences Nutrition and Dietetic Department, Inonu University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Gazi University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Gebze Technical University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Goulandris Natural History Museum	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
Gugushvili Institute of Economics, Tbilisi State University (TSU)	Georgia	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Hacettepe University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)Research Institution
HAROKOPIO UNIVERSITY	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research InstitutionNon-Governmental Organization
Hellenic Mediterranean	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Hellenic Pasteur Institute	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
Higher School of Insurance and Finance (VUZF University)	Bulgaria	Black SeaBulgariaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Ibn Haldun University Business School	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
INDEPENDENT STUDIES OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Institute of Defensive Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Institute of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	Research Institution
Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	Research Institution
International Center for Responsible Tourism ICRT Russia	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
International Centre for Research on the Environment and the Economy (ICRE8)	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
International Hellenic University	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
International Partnership and Development Organization	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Interregional Academy of Personnel Management	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Ionan University	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Ionian University	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul Beykent University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul Bilgi University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul Gedik University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul Kultur University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
ISTANBUL MEDİPOL UNIVERSITY	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul Nisantasi University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)Research InstitutionNon-Governmental OrganizationFoundation/Donor Organization
Istanbul Technical University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul Ticaret University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Istanbul University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Istinye University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University	Georgia	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Izmir University of Economics	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Kadir Has Üniversitesi	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Karadeniz Technical University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Kastamonu University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Kayseri University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Kazan State Medical University	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Khazar University	Azerbaijan	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Koç University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Laboratory of Sociology of Culture and Civilization of the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Mersin University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Metropolitan College	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Middle East Technical University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Moscow University S. Witte	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Mugla Sitki Kocman University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Mus Alparslan University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic"	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic"	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)Research Institution
National University Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
NGO "GoLOCAL"	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
NGO "League of Professional Women"	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Non-commercial organization Foundation for Development of the Center for Elaboration and Commercialization of New Technologies	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Foundation/Donor Organization
North Ossetian State University	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Open School of Sustainable Development	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
Ozyegin University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Peoples' Friendship University of Russia	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Polissia National University	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Political Economy of Sustainable Development Lab, University of Athens	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
QualityNet Foundation	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Civil Society Organization
Research Unit of Environmental Education and Communication, Department of Public and Community Health, University of West Attica	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Russian Carbon Fund	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope
Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Saint Petersburg State University, Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Ecological Safety & Sustainable Development of Regions	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Research Institution
Sakarya University of Applied Sciences	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Serbian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sustainable Development	Serbia	Black SeaWestern BalkansEurope	Non-Governmental Organization
Şirnak University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Social and Strategic Research Center; Cappadocia University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski	Bulgaria	Black SeaBulgariaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
State Organization "Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine"	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	Research Institution
Sustainable Development Unit at ATHENA Research and Innovation Centre	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Research Institution
TED University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
The «Оlexandria» State Dendrological Park of the NAS of Ukraine	Ukraine	Black SeaEurope	University (Department/Institute)
The Fund for Support and Development of Environmental and Other Socially Significant Projects "Our Fund"	Russia	RussiaBlack SeaEurope	Non-Governmental OrganizationFoundation/Donor Organization
Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Toros University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Institution-wide)
Trakia University	Bulgaria	Black SeaBulgariaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
University of Crete	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
University of European Studies of Moldova	Moldova	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
University of National and World Economy (UNWE)	Bulgaria	Black SeaBulgariaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
University of Patras (UPAT)	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
University of Peloponnese	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
University of Peloponnese, Department of Economics, E-Cube Lab	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
University of Piraeus	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
University of the Aegean	Greece	GreeceBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Üsküdar University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"	Bulgaria	Black SeaBulgariaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Western University	Azerbaijan	Black SeaEurope	University (Institution-wide)
Yeditepe University	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
Yildiz Technical University Center for Finance Corporate Governance and Sustainability (CFGS)	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	University (Department/Institute)
YUVA	Türkiye	TürkiyeBlack SeaEuropeMediterranean	Non-Governmental Organization