Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation The German Marshall Fund of the United States
A Unique Approach to Democracy in the Black Sea Region BST works to spur virtuous cycles that span capacity building and funding for civil society, the cultivation of democratic leadership across sectors, the empowerment of democratic actors to engage in advocacy and policy efforts, and the establishment of sustainable regional networks. This integrated approach enables democratic actors to effectively address the many challenges facing the Black Sea region.
The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) was established in 2007. It is dedicated to fostering democracy and good governance, human rights and the rule of law, regional dialogue and cooperation, and stability and security across the Black Sea region. It provides comprehensive support to democratic actors in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Through direct funding and capacity building, BST enables civil society to strengthen democratic processes, accountable institutions, and social cohesion, to engage in
conflict management and resolution, to nurture cross-border ties in the region, and to work toward Euro-Atlantic integration. BST supports and amplifies regional perspectives on key challenges facing Black Sea countries, and provides a platform for dialogue, policy, and strategy at the European and transatlantic level. Based at the GMF office in Bucharest, Romania, and managed by a diverse team of regional experts, BST has long been supported by numerous partners and funders from Europe and the United States.