The project “Sustaining BSB Biodiversity through Traditional Knowledge and Innovation (BIOSUSTAIN)” supported by Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme announces a students’ call for the participation in research on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

About the Project

The overall objective of the BIOSUSTAIN project is to contribute to the preservation and restoration of Black Sea Basin (BSB) ecosystems and landscapes through the documentation and innovative application of traditional ecological knowledge. The project promotes the active engagement of local communities in the protection of biodiversity and the development of economically viable, TEK-based models grounded in the natural heritage of the Black Sea Basin.

The project is implemented by the Georgian Arts and Culture Center (Georgia) in cooperation with Varna University of Management (Bulgaria) and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece).

About the Research

Within BIOSUSTAIN, research will be conducted in partner countries to document traditional ecological knowledge, focusing on traditional plant varieties and species and sustainable use practices developed over centuries. Research will follow a methodology developed under the leadership of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece).

Research Involvement and Timeline

Selected student(s) will participate in the following activities:

● Desk research of existing resources and data analysis (March-April, 2026)

● Fieldwork: interviews, focus groups, workshops with local community representatives and sector organizations. (April-May, 2026).

● Preparation of research reports and inventories (June, 2026)

The duration and intensity of student involvement will be adapted to students’ academic schedules.
The indicated periods and activity schedules are tentative and may be subject to change depending on project needs and participants’ availability.

Benefits of Participation and Financial Conditions

Student(s) participating in the project will receive:

• Practical research experience
• Skills in fieldwork and stakeholder communication
• Experience with interdisciplinary methodologies
• The opportunity to participate in an international project

Financial Conditions:

• Participation in the research is free of charge
• Participation is unpaid
• The project will cover participants’ travel and related expenses in accordance with project rules and budget.

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to:

• Students of vocational and/or higher education institutions at any level who are interested in research on traditional ecological knowledge;
• Candidates whose academic or research interests are related to environmental sciences, ecology, biodiversity, ethnobiology, or related fields.

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Motivation and interest in research on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK);
• Relevant academic background, work, or research experience;
• Analytical and research skills;
• Knowledge of the English language.

The number of participants is limited.

Application Procedure

To participate in the competition, candidates must complete the application form by  March 20, 2026, using the following link:  https://forms.gle/yM3TLmEPTFvHtJ8K7

Selected participant(s) will be notified of the results by March 31, 2026.

Contact information: projects_research@vum.bg. +359 882 595 180