The Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme 2007-2013 (hereafter Black Sea JOP) is a programme under the European Neighborhood & Partnership Instrument (ENPI) of the EU. It aims to contribute to: "a stronger and sustainable economic and social development of the regions of the Black Sea Basin".

The programme´s three specific objectives, are:

- Promoting economic and social development in the border areas

- Working together to address common challenges

- Promoting local, people-to-people cooperation

The Black Sea Basin eligible area occupies a territory of 834,719 sq. km. and includes a population of 74.2 million people. It involves ten countries, some of which include the whole of their national territory (Armenia, Azerbaijan, R. Moldova and Georgia), while for some others those regions closest to the Basin (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine).

The following regions or countries form the eligible area of the Black Sea Programme, as defined in the ENPI CBC strategy paper:

• Bulgaria: NUTS II regions of Severoiztochen and Yugoiztochen
• Greece: NUTS II regions of Kentriki Makedonia and Anatoliki Makedonia - Thraki
• Romania: NUTS II region of South-East
• Russia: Rostov Oblast, Krasnodar Krai and Adygea republic
• Turkey: NUTS II equivalent regions of Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Kocaeli, Zonguldak, Kastamonu, Samsun and Trabzon
• Ukraine: Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporosh'ye and Donetsk Oblasts, Crimea Republic and Sevastopol
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, R. Moldova: all regions

The ten countries include four (Greece, Armenia, Azerbaijan and R. Moldova) not physically on the coast of the Black Sea, but clearly integrated or connected to the Black Sea Basin in terms of historical, economic, cultural, social and environmental factors. The other six countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine) have direct access to the Black Sea.

The programme is financed by the ENPI. The participation of Turkey is financed by the IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance). The participating countries co-finance projects with a minimum of 10% of the EU contribution.

Summary budget of Black Sea JOP for the period 2007-2013 in Euro (without IPA funds for Turkey*):

*The indicative allocation of IPA funds to finance the participation of Turkey in the programme is 1,000,000 Euro per year for the period 2007--2009, to be confirmed on a yearly basis through annual financing decisions.

The official language of the Programme is English.