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A New Chapter for Innovation in Black Sea Fisheries & Aquaculture

TIMMOD-NEXT – Enhancing Innovation Capacities and Uptake of Advanced Technologies Towards Sustainable Fisheries and Eco-Friendly Aquaculture in the Black Sea

Project Acronym: TIMMOD-NEXT
Project No.: BSB01206
Programme: Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme
Programme Priority: Blue and Smart Region
Specific Objective: RSO1.1 – Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Implementation Period: 1 March 2026 – 29 February 2028
Project Duration: 24 months

About the Project

TIMMOD-NEXT is a transnational cooperation project focused on strengthening research and innovation capacities and supporting the uptake of advanced technologies in the fisheries and aquaculture sector of the Black Sea region.

The project brings together six organisations from Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Georgia and Türkiye and builds upon the results and cooperation established under the previous TIMMOD project.

At the centre of TIMMOD-NEXT is the establishment of the Black Sea Innovation Network of Open-Air Labs for Fisheries and Aquaculture, connecting five Open-Air Labs in five Black Sea countries. The network will provide an environment for testing, demonstrating and promoting innovative technologies and for strengthening cooperation between research organisations, fisheries and aquaculture operators, technology providers, public authorities and other stakeholders.

Project Aim and Objectives

The overall aim of TIMMOD-NEXT is to boost research and innovation capacities and facilitate the uptake of advanced technologies in Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture by connecting the research and productive sectors and developing joint solutions for the sustainable use of fish resources and the growth of eco-friendly aquaculture.

Its main objectives are to:

• enhance the research and innovation capacities of organisations working in the fisheries and aquaculture sector;
• establish a Black Sea Innovation Network of five Open-Air Labs for testing, demonstration and uptake of advanced technologies;
• identify and assess innovative technologies and methods applicable to fisheries, aquaculture and environmental monitoring;
• pilot-test and validate selected technological solutions under real operational conditions;
• strengthen cooperation between research organisations, fisheries and aquaculture operators, businesses, authorities and other stakeholders;
• improve knowledge exchange, training and capacity building in innovative fisheries and aquaculture technologies;
• develop an interactive Web Portal providing access to information, digital tools, mapping resources and knowledge related to sustainable fisheries and eco-friendly aquaculture.

Expected Results

TIMMOD-NEXT is expected to establish a functioning transnational Black Sea Innovation Network of Open-Air Labs, connecting facilities in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Georgia and Türkiye.

The project will strengthen the capacity of research organisations to provide advanced solutions to the fisheries and aquaculture sector, support pilot testing and practical uptake of innovative technologies, improve cooperation among institutions and stakeholders across the Black Sea region, and provide digital tools and knowledge resources through the TIMMOD-NEXT Web Portal.

The project is expected to result in:

• 5 research organisations participating in joint research activities;
• 6 organisations cooperating across borders;
• 3 jointly organised transnational public events;
• 1 jointly implemented pilot action for the Innovation Network of Open-Air Labs;
• 1 jointly developed solution – the Black Sea Innovation Network of Open-Air Labs for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Financial Support

The total budget of the TIMMOD-NEXT project is EUR 984,925.58.

The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, with an Interreg contribution of 90%, corresponding to EUR 886,433.00.

Project Partnership

• Institute of Fish Resources – Varna (IFR), Bulgaria – Lead Partner
• Black Sea – Danube Association for Research and Development (BDCA), Bulgaria
• Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI), Romania
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece
• LEPL National Environmental Agency (NEA), Georgia
• Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – Central Fisheries Research Institute (SUMAE), Türkiye​

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