The easyPEST project, “EstAblishing long-term monitoring SYstem for plant PESTs around the Black Sea”, has officially started with the support of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, co-funded by the European Union.
easyPEST aims to develop an AI-powered, citizen science-based long-term monitoring system for the early detection of invasive plant pests throughout the Black Sea Basin. By fostering cross-border collaboration, the project will enhance regional capacity to protect forests, safeguard agricultural production and preserve biodiversity.
The project brings together partners from Türkiye, Greece and Georgia under the leadership of Giresun Governorship. Project partners include Trabzon University, Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DIMITRA (HAO-DIMITRA) and Ilia State University.
With a total budget of EUR 520,308.90, including EUR 468,278.01 EU funding, the project will be implemented between December 2025 and June 2027.
Through the development of digital tools, awareness-raising activities, stakeholder engagement and citizen science practices, easyPEST will contribute to a more coordinated and effective response to invasive alien insect pests in the Black Sea Basin.
Project: easyPEST – EstAblishing long-term monitoring SYstem for plant PESTs around the Black Sea
Project ID: BSB01081
Programme: 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin
Co-funded by: European Union
Lead Partner: Giresun Governorship
Project Partners:
Trabzon University (Türkiye)
Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DIMITRA (HAO-DIMITRA) (Greece)
Ilia State University (Georgia)
Project Duration: December 2025 – June 2027
Priority: (VI-B_BSB_P2) Clean and Green Region
Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches
