Challenges for Sustainable Blue Economy Development in Bulgaria
Challenges for Sustainable Blue Economy Development in Bulgaria

Author(s): Atanaska Nikolova
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Economy, National Economy, Business Economy / Management, Governance, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Green Transformation
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: blue economy; sustainable development; governance; PESTEL-G analysis
Summary/Abstract: Bulgarian Blue Economy represents a critical strategic opportunity for national economic diversification, coastal resilience, and sustainable resource management in the context of the EU Green Deal. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the key challenges that sustainable development of Bulgarian Blue Economy is facing, employing the PESTEL-G framework (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal, and Geopolitical factors). The seven dimensions of PESTEL-G framework are further segregated to contextual factors and evaluated using a qualitative document-based methods. Findings from the analysis reveal persistent structural weaknesses: fragmented governance, underinvestment in innovation and infrastructure, skill mismatches, and weak enforcement of marine environmental legislation. The pollution, loss of biodiversity and deterioration of the quality of the natural ecosystems represent serious challenges for sectors of blue economy. Limited human capital and undeveloped workforce skills in combination with difficult access to innovative technologies and insufficient direct and indirect support for business R&D, are serious obstacles for digital and green transformation of companies from Blue economy sectors. Identified institutional, environmental, and technological barriers limit the country’s ability to capitalize on sustainable blue growth. Sectors such as maritime transport, aquaculture, fisheries, coastal tourism, and offshore renewable energy all exhibit varying degrees of exposure to these multidimensional challenges. Additionally, Bulgaria’s maritime sectors remain vulnerable to geopolitical instability in the Black Sea region, with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict reshaping regional trade and security dynamics. To address the major barriers to sustainable blue economic development in Bulgaria, the report recommends enhanced coordination between ministries and local authorities and establishment of cross-sectoral governance, strengthening of the institutional capacity, targeted public and private investment in coastal infrastructure and innovation, strengthening of vocational training and stakeholder engagement, accelerated implementation of marine spatial planning, and geopolitical risk-mitigation strategies.

• Details
• Contents