Accelerating Sustainability: Innovation Pathways and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in the Black Sea Blue Economy

The sustainable development of regions worldwide is contingent upon the blue economy, which encompasses all economic activities associated with oceans, seas, and littoral areas. The Black Sea, situated at the intersection of Europe and Asia, possesses an immense potential for the development of a prosperous blue economy. Nevertheless, this potential is accompanied by a distinctive set of challenges that must be resolved in order to ensure the sustainable development of maritime industries in the region. DOORS Black Sea, an EU-funded initiative that establishes optimal and transparent research support for the Black Sea, addresses these issues. DOORS establishes a system of systems (SoS) to resolve the impacts of human and climate change on the marine ecosystem, thereby creating 'blue economy' prospects and regenerating the Black Sea. This system connects residents, research, and industry. Stakeholder engagement is essential for the success, value, and impact of DOORS. Together with researchers, they advance science and technology, rendering project labour more significant. In an effort to assist scientists in the prioritisation of Black Sea issues, Multi-Actor Forums (MAFs) convene national stakeholders from Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia, regardless of their background. The concentration is on blue economy policies and innovations that address gaps. This method also assists in the co-design of the region's system of systems, providing researchers with the datasets necessary to address environmental issues and expand the blue economy. This study examines the potential impact of the findings on the long-term expansion of the blue economy and related policy in the region.