#blackseaaccelerator

DOORS is delivering 3 key programmes for critical Black Sea regeneration:

The System of Systems (SoS) - A one stop shop for standardised data and model outputs to drive evidence-based knowledge development for the Black Sea. A first of its kind for the region, the SoS delivers data from in-situ measurements and sensor arrays, satellite based #EarthObservation, external repositories, and model outputs into a single interactive visualisation platform for the Black Sea with harmonised data models. The SoS is now live online here.

The Black Sea Accelerator (BSA) which also received an 'Honourable Mention' at CMA 2024, is a joint initiative by DOORS Black Sea and BRIDGE Black Sea supporting business creation, marine and maritime innovation, and the development of new marine-based technologies for sustainable growth. This summer, we have delivered a series of high level trainings on business models, pitching and how the SoS can be used to benefit the Blue Economy across the region.

Our Knowledge Transfer and Training (KTT) programme has conducted extensive stakeholder engagement with everyone interested in the future of the Black Sea through workshops, training and ocean literacy events. We have recently funded 6 exchange placements through an international programme of collaborative research activities, investing in the scientists of the future.

At evening dinner, He pulled out what appeared to be a very old worn bottle, covered in hardened sediment and debris; it looked like something one would have pillaged from an ancient shipwreck of long ago. But it wasn’t. This is the ‘new’ product of Georgian entrepreneur, Ecologist and Diver, David Nikoleishvili who, with the support of Khareba Winery, began creating the first underwater wine cellar and museum on the Black Sea coast at Kvariati near Batumi.

Image: DOORS Coordinator Adrian Stanica with Georgian country Leader, Mamuka Gvilava. © Kadir Seyhan

But this is not just a marketing gimmick. The logic is the underwater conditions mimic the crucial ageing factors that are thought to contribute to the flavour of wine, such as constant temperature and the absence of light. David’s Khareba bottles are, for a period of 4 months, plunged to depths of 15, 20  and 27m and left to the whims of the tides, interacting with sediment from the Chorokhi river. This approach is especially relevant as we search for new ways to save energy in the fight against climate change. In fact, it could almost be considered a ‘nature-based solution’ to wine maturation since traditional approaches require a lot of engineering and power to recreate the correct environment.

Image: The dive team which retrieve the wine after 4 months underwater in the Black Sea. © David Nikoleishvili

“Underwater wine ages 3 times faster than those in a regular cellar”, David says, “ …and although I’m not an expert myself,  other foreign sommeliers have told me the wine stored in the sea is softer to drink, and the bouquet is more well expressed.”

It certainly proved a hit at our Steering Committee dinner with Jos Brils of Deltares, our resident DOORS expert in all things sediment (and fine wine), who could not stop raving about it.

Image: Kadir Seyhan and Jos Brils are big fans! © Mamuka Gvilava

But David also sees this as unique way to arouse interest in Black Sea underwater heritage as well as representing an excellent example of a ‘Blue Economy’ innovation: “This initiative, initiated this year, stands as a novel approach to marine ecology, science, and underwater economic activity. Importantly, these projects align with the environmental protection and sustainable development policies of the European Union, as well as various global and regional financial institutions and environmental funds.”

Across the Black Sea there is a feeling the underwater heritage of the region could be celebrated more and has untapped potential for tourism and local economies. Our third and final DOORS cruise is about to set sail later this year and is tasked with exploring ancient shipwreck sites very close to Kvariati in Georgia. David will be joining us as part of the dive team for the Georgian leg of the journey. And although he is the only one who knows the exact co-ordinates of where the wine is buried, we’d be lying if we said we had not considered potential alternative applications for the scanning equipment on board the Mare Nigrum! 😀

Image: Kvariati lies very close to the Georgian / Turkiye border.

The online launch event attracted more than 100 participants (entrepreneurs, researchers & investors) to foster a new 'blue' culture and increase capacity building in the Black Sea.

Watch the launch event

Video: Catch up on any presentations you missed.

Timestamps of video

0:00 Introductory remarks in the context of the supporting projects 4:16 Introduction to BRIDGE-BS by Baris Salihoglu 16:15 Introduction to DOORS by Irina Stanciu 24:14 Introduction to Black Sea Accelerator from BRIDGE-BS Perspective 37:27 Introduction to Black Sea Accelerator from DOORS Perspective 47:35 Blue Invest Presentation by Catherine Frideres 55:34 Open discussion and Q&A with participants

Download the presentations here.

For more information visit our dedicated web page.

Application form

📄 PDF Application form

Translated versions of the call

🇷🇴 Romanian language version

🇧🇬 Bulgarian language version

🇬🇪 Georgian language version

🇹🇷 Turkish language version