The Steering Committee Meeting of the GreenS4BlackSea Project – Protection of Virgin Forests as a Green Solution for the Black Sea (BSB01246), implemented within the scope of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, was held on 20 April 2026 at Artvin Çoruh University Ali Nihat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden.

The meeting was attended by the project steering committee members: Prof. Dr. Özgür Eminağaoğlu, Assist. Prof. Dr. Hayal Akyıldırım Beğen, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Hakan Gültekin from Artvin Çoruh University; Dr. Ketevan Samadashvili and Lela Janashia from the NGO Community and Environment (C&E); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inga Diasamidze and Dr. Davit Kharazishvili from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University; and Prof. Dr. Ioannis Gitas from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A total of eight steering committee members attended the meeting and conducted a preliminary assessment of the current progress of the project, the upcoming National Workshop, the Kick-off  and Regional Meeting.

During the meeting, reporting issues related to the first reporting period were addressed. In addition, the planning of the second reporting period and the possible timeframe for the planned expeditions were discussed.

In addition, the partners exchanged views on strengthening scientific cooperation, improving data-sharing processes, and ensuring the effective implementation of the forthcoming work packages.

The Steering Committee once again emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in the conservation of virgin forest ecosystems and reiterated its commitment to developing sustainable environmental solutions for the region.