The “Steering Committee Online Meeting” of the project titled “GreenS4BlackSea – Protection of Virgin Forests as a Green Solution for the Black Sea,” implemented under the European Union NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme (Interreg VI-B), was held online on March 27, 2026. The meeting was conducted under the leadership of Artvin Çoruh University Ali Nihat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden Application and Research Center (ANGBB), in partnership with Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU) and the Community and Environment Association (C&E) from Georgia, and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) from Greece, with the participation of representatives from all partner institutions.

During the meeting, the methodological approach and logistical arrangements for the events to be held in Artvin between April 20–22, 2026 were discussed in detail. The updated methodology was evaluated in line with the contributions of the project partners, with particular emphasis on the data collection tools and methods to be used in field studies.

In this context, discussions were held on identifying external stakeholders who could contribute to the field survey, enhancing the efficiency of the data collection process, and exploring the use of existing data sources (particularly forest management plans).

Within the scope of the events to be held in Artvin, the content, duration, and participant structure of activities such as the opening meeting, national workshop, regional meeting, field visit, and tree planting event were evaluated in detail. Accordingly, the necessary preparations prior to the events—such as participant lists, invitation letters, program flow, venue organization, promotional materials, and logistical arrangements—were thoroughly addressed.

Throughout the meeting, views were exchanged on strengthening coordination among project partners, clarifying the distribution of responsibilities, and ensuring an effective implementation process. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that the next Executive Committee meeting would be held in person, where the upcoming implementation period and reporting processes would also be discussed.