Implementation period: 02/09/2025 – 01/03/2027
Total budget: EUR 497,719.06
Interreg funding: EUR 447,947.15

Project “Black Sea Unites Against Natural Disasters – BSB01014” is co-financed by the INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027. The main objective of the project is to increase disaster resilience in the Black Sea region. The project includes the following activities: disaster awareness trainings, visits to a disaster training center, improvement of the equipment and technical capacity of search and rescue teams, awareness-raising initiatives among students in schools and citizens, international experience-sharing meetings between professionals and volunteers in the field of disaster management, as well as the development of recommendations to policymakers regarding the issues that hinder the effectiveness of non-governmental organizations operating in the field of disasters.

Lead Partner: Trakya Development Agency, Tekirdağ, Türkiye
Partners:
Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”, Bulgaria
Hellenic Rescue Team, Greece
Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
 

Experts from Varna Free University Train Volunteers in Crisis, Disaster and Emergency Response

Experts from the Department of Security and Safety at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" delivered a specialized micro-credential course designed to prepare volunteers for effective response to crises, natural disasters and emergencies.

The training combined theoretical instruction with intensive practical exercises aimed at developing the participants' knowledge and hands-on skills for responding to emergency situations. Volunteers took part in realistic simulation scenarios, including earthquake response in a specialized simulator, first aid in field conditions, firefighting techniques, landslide response, and other disaster management exercises.

The theoretical sessions were held at the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Civil Protection" in Varna on 23–24 June 2026 and at the Vocational Training Centre of the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Civil Protection" under the General Directorate "Fire Safety and Civil Protection" in Montana on 1–2 July 2026.

The best-performing participants will have the unique opportunity to travel to Thessaloniki, Greece, where they will join international volunteer teams for joint training exercises, exchange experience, and share best practices in disaster preparedness and emergency response.

The training was organized within the framework of the European project No. BSB01014 "Black Sea Unites Against Natural Disasters (BSB-BSUAND)", funded by the INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027.

As part of the project, all volunteers were provided with professional field equipment, which will remain at the disposal of the volunteer unit and support its future operations in civil protection and emergency response activities.
 

Lecturers from Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” continued training Varna students on disaster response

A team of lecturers from the Department of “Public Order and Security” at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” completed a series of trainings aimed at preparing students from Varna schools for an adequate response in case of disasters and emergency situations.

The trainings covered topics related to behavior during an earthquake, response to a fire in an urban environment, and basic safety rules for various crisis situations. Through interactive games, simulations, and practical exercises, the students acquired knowledge and skills for proper behavior in the event of natural disasters and other emergency situations.
The trainings were conducted in the following Varna schools:


OU “Petko R. Slaveykov”, 2 classes on 11.05.2026
 

PGH HVT D. I. Mendeleev on 19.05.2026

VII SU “Naiden Gerov” on 16.06.2026
 

School of Humanities and Arts “Konstantin Preslavski”, 2 classes on 26.06.2026
 

The initiative generated great interest among both students and teachers in the schools. The practical orientation of the trainings allowed participants to practice actions in various crisis scenarios and gain confidence for responding in real situations.

The trainings were carried out within the framework of the international project No. BSB01014 “Black Sea Unites Against Natural Disasters – BSB-BSUAND”, funded under the INTERREG NEXT “Black Sea Basin” 2021–2027 Рrogram. The project aims to increase the population’s readiness to respond to natural disasters through training, exchange of good practices, and strengthening cooperation among partners from the Black Sea region.
 

On 17 April 2026, Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” hosted the first partner meeting to report on the progress of Project No. BSB01014 “Black Sea Unites Against Natural Disasters – BSB BSUAND”, funded under the INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027.

Representatives of all partner organizations took part in the event. They presented the activities implemented so far, following the project’s timeline from its launch to the current stage. The Lead Partner summarized the results achieved and outlined the next steps in the implementation process.

During the meeting, the partners discussed the submitted first interim report to the Managing Authority of the Programme, including the procedure for working with the JEMS platform. It was agreed to use a common template to unify the information provided by partners when preparing the second interim report.

The partners also agreed that the consortium’s monthly online meetings will be held on the last Friday of each month.

The Lead Partner – Thrace Development Agency, Tekirdağ, Türkiye – presented an overview of the budget expenditure at both partner and consortium level.

The meeting continued with the presentation of the communication plan developed by the Lead Partner, which will be applied across the consortium. New opportunities for disseminating project activities through news and social media posts were also discussed.

The partners concluded the meeting by acknowledging the excellent implementation of the project to date and expressing confidence in its successful continuation.







 

On 19–20 November 2025, the city of Tekirdağ, Türkiye hosted the first partnership meeting under project No. BSB01014 “Black Sea Unites Against Natural Disasters – BSB-BSUAND”.

During the event, each partner organization presented its activities and project teams engaged in disaster prevention and response. The discussions highlighted key aspects of the grant agreement, the agenda for the upcoming visit to the Disaster Training Center in Bursa, as well as financial parameters, reporting schedules, and forthcoming activities.

On the following day, participants visited the Disaster Education Center in Bursa – the first of its kind worldwide. The center’s advanced infrastructure and technological facilities provided valuable insights and practical knowledge, significantly enhancing the partners’ awareness and preparedness for emergency situations.