Blue Transitions in the Black Sea: Living Labs as a tool to support the transition to a sustainable blue economy in the Black Sea

This paper captures an ongoing joint initiative which spans three EU-funded projects active within the Black Sea region, each utilising living labs to support the overall development of the Blue Economy in a sustainable manner. The Black Sea is a complex resource-rich socio-ecological ecosystem nestled within a dynamic geo-political space, thus providing both fundamental challenges and great opportunities within the Blue Economy sectors. Each of the projects adopts diverse yet complimentary focii in terms of stakeholder groups, geographic location, thematic focus and level of governance. The paper outlines the overarching methodology of Systems Innovation implemented by the initiative, before presenting each project and the activities undertaken therein. The paper concludes on the potential implications held by emerging findings, both methodological and thematic, on the sustainable development of the Blue Economy and related policy in the region.