The primary scopes of B.EN.A. are:

• To examine and appraise the current problems of environmental protection on a regional, national and international basis;
• To advise the regulatory bodies of the various Balkan and Black Sea countries about decisions concerning the evaluation of the risk of chemicals and physical agents;
• To develop international cooperation on reducing transboundary pollution which will affects public health.
• To develop strategies and options for the environmental protection;
• To develop the environmental quality management systems for the Balkan and Black Sea region.
• To develop international programs for the restoration and the sustainable improvement of the ecological safety of cross-border regions. 
• To plan and organize scientifically events and other activities on environmental issues.

1. B.EN.A. INFRASTRUCTURE is based on Academic Institutions and form an environmental scientific network, as follow:

• International Bureau of B.EN.A. – Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece
• AL-B.EN.A., University of  Tirana, Albania
• BG-B.EN.A., Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
• BiH-B.EN.A., University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• CR-B.EN.A., University of Zagreb, Croatia
• FY-B.EN.A., Institute of Public Health, Skopje, FYR Macedonia
• MOLD-B.EN.A., Institute of Electronic Engineering and Industrial Technologies of Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Kishinev, Moldova
• MONTE-B.EN.A., University of Podgorica, Montenegro
• RO-B.EN.A., National Institute for Research and Development of Industrial Ecology (ECOIND) in Bucharest, Romania
• RS-B.EN.A., VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences of Belgrade, Serbia
• TU-B.EN.A., Istanbul Technical University, Turkey

International Research Secretariate for Southeastern Europe - Balkan Environmental Association (ISSE-BENA)

The “Liaison Offices” have the mission to partner to help conserve, improve and sustain natural resources and the environment and are in a position to identify emerging environmental issues, in particular: 

• Liaison Office of Ukraine, in the Ukrainian Scientific Center of the Ecology of Seas (UkrCES) in Odessa, Ukraine
• Liaison Office of Russian Federation                                                                                                   - National Research Institute of the Azov Sea Fishery Problems (NRIASF), Rostov on Don                              - Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) Moscow
  
• Liaison Office of Georgia, in Technical University of Tbilisi, Georgia                                        Coordinator: Dr. Zurab Kiriashvili
• Mediterranean Liaison Office, University of Tuscia, DEB Department of Ecology and Biology      Coordinator: Prof. Massimilino Fenice
• Liaison Office of Armenia                                                                                                            Centre for Ecological - Nonosphere Studies of National Academy of Science, Yerevan, Armenia
• Liaison Office of Turkey                                                                                                            Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
• -Liaison Office of Albania                                                                                                            University of Shkodra “LUIGJ GURAKUQI”
• Liaison Office of Croatia                                                                                                         University of Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek
• Liaison Office of South Serbia                                                                                                 University of Nis

For better coordination of the association activities, International Board of BENA proposed the functioning of the International Centers/Offices on different environmental topics.

2.1. SPONSORSHIP OF RESEARCH PROJECTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

Since 2001 up today B.EN.A.  developed in the Balkan region the Program for research projects and scholarships, as results were funded 147 research projects and 263 scholarships for young scientists.

The Calls were developed in the following environmental topics: pollution control in environmental media for hot point’s identification, new methods/techniques development in relation with international requirements; environmental impact/risk assessment for identification of areas, where pollution abatement, clean production or ecological reconstruction are required; environmental technologies (drinking water, waste water, wastes); training and consulting for EMS (ISO 14001) and QMS (EN 45001) development and implementation for certification/accreditation etc.

3. TRAINING PROGRAM ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONS

B.EN.A. is running TRAINING CENTERS on ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONS for specialists and unemployed people, in order to improve their professional status and to update their knowledge on modern environment management, in order to face the job market demands.

The Training Centers were funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hellenic Republic (Department of International Development and Co-operation-HELLENIC AID) in 2002 and were running for two years program, having the great impact and success in the region.

B.ENA. continues its efforts for the sustaining training activity on environmental professions with the support of private companies like: TITAN S.A., CARPATCEMENT Heidelberg Cement Group, BANCPOST Romania, TOMINI TRADING SRL, PROCTER & GAMBLE, ANCDPI, Balkan Mineral and Mining.

During 2002-2012 more than 1,400 persons graduated the courses on environmental professions in Constanta, Bucharest, Plovdiv, Varna, Skopje and Belgrade. The Training Centers are functioning as follow:

1. Training Center on „Environmental management” specialization  in the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” Constanta, ROMANIA.
2. Training Center on “Eco-agro-tourism and organic agriculture”, located in the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, BULGARIA.
3. Training Center on “Public Health Impact” specialization, in the Faculty of Medicine, Skopje, FYR of Macedonia.
4. Training Courses in “Sustainable Fishery” specialization running in the in National Institute of Fishery and Aquaculture (IFA) in Varna, BULGARIA.
5. Training Courses on “Sustainable Development in the frame of EU Legislation Harmonization”, in the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, SERBIA.

4. SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATON – Journal of environmental Protection and Ecology (JEPE) is an official journal of B.EN.A., which is starting to serve as a digital library for environmental issues.

The Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology (JEPE) is indexed and abstracted in the Thomson Reuters (Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch*) and Web Science), Elsevier Bibliographic Databases (Geobase, Scopus 2008), CABI, Ulrich Database, Chemical Abstracts, Scimago Journal & Country Rank (SJR), Referativnii jurnal “Khimiya”, Google Scholar.

Science Citation Index (SCI): 

SCI Impact Factor (2016) = 0.774 / 5-Year Impact Factor = 0.550

SCImago Journal Rank (SJR - 2017) / SJR = 0.250 / H Index: 12 

The SCImago Journal & Country Rank is a portal that includes the journals and country scientific indicators developed from the information contained in the Scopus® database (Elsevier B.V.). These indicators can be used to assess and analyze scientific domains. 

5. SCIENTIFIC EVENTS

B.EN.A. organized and co-organized more than 94 scientific events on different environmental topics in Greece, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Turkey. 

2018:

• The 53^rd Croatian and 13^th International Symposium on Agriculture, organized by the Faculties of Agriculture of University of Osijek and University of Zagreb, co-organized by BENA in Vodice, Croatia, 18-23 February 2018 web page:  www.sa.pfos.hr   
• The International Conference  Green Development, Infrastructure, Technology GREDIT 2018, organized by the University „St. Cyril and Methodius“, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and BENA, Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 22-25 March, 2018 - web page: www.benainfo.net/gredit (deadline submission abstract/registration 15 February 2018)
• The 2^nd International Urban, Environment and Health Congress with the theme of "Future Cities",  supporting institutions:  Gazi University, Adnan Menderes University, Inonu Universitesi, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, BENA  organized in Cappadocia, Turkey, 16-20 April, 2018  https://www.sehircevresaglikkongresi.com/?dil=eng (deadline submission abstract/ registration 15 February 2018)
• The 4^th International Conference Water Across Time in Engineering Research WATER 2018, Ovidius University of Constanta, Faculty of Civil Engineering, under auspices of the National Council of Rectors, International Associations for Hydrology Sciences (IAHS), and Balkan Environmental Association (BENA), in Constanta, Romania, 21-23 June, 2018 http://revista-constructii.univ-ovidius.ro/conferinte/index.php/water-2018 (Paper Submission Deadline:  April 17, 2018).
• 1st International Conference "The holistic approach to environment" HAE 2018, University of Zagreb Faculty of Metallurgy Croatia, Centre of excellence for integrative bioethics Croatia and the Association for promotion of holistic approach to environment Croatia, under the auspices of Balkan Environmental Association (BENA),  Sisak, Croatia, 13 – 14 September 2018 www.cpo.hr/home.html (Paper Submission Deadline:  March 10, 2018). Contact person: Assoc. Prof. Anita Štrkalj konferencija.cpo@gmail.com (University of Zagreb, Faculty of Metallurgy, Croatia)

2017:

2016:

• 51 Croatian and 11^th International Symposium of Agriculture, organized by the University of Zagreb, University of Osijek and BENA, Opatija, Croatia, 16-19 February 2016  http://sa.agr.hr/
• 1st International Conference on Green Development, Infrastructure, Technology “GREDIT 2016”, jointly organized by the University “St. Cyril and Methodius” and BENA, Skopje, FYR Macedonia,  30 March– 2 April 2016 www.benainfo.net/gredit
• 1^st International Workshop on Environmental Protection and Sustainability 2016, Tulcea, Romania, jointly organized by Balkan Environmental Association and the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development,Tulcea,Romania, 28-30 May 2016, http://www.benaweb.gr/conferences-2016.html
• 1^st International Workshop on “Water added value to health and life”, organized by Balkan Environmental Association (BENA) and European Environmental Association, (EEA) Steaua de Mare Complex, Eforie Nord, Romania, 17-19 June, 2016, http://www.benaweb.gr/conferences-2016.html
• 6th International Conference “Protection of Natural Resources and Environmental Management: The main Tools for Sustainability” PRONASEM2016, organized by the Romanian Academy, BENA, CERN, Polytehnic University of Bucharest, Romania, November 10-12, 2016, http://pronasem.acad.ro/committees.html

 2015:

• 50 Croatian and 10^th International Symposium of Agriculture, organized by the University of Zagreb, University of Osijek and BENA, Opatija, Croatia, 16- 20 February 2015  http://sa.pfos.hr
• 5^th  BENA International Conference on “Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development”,  “1 December 1918” University of Alba Iulia, Romania, 28-20 May 2015 http://www.uab.ro/conference/bena 
• International Conference “Sea and Coastal Development in the frame of Sustainability - MACODESU2015”, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Governorship of Trabzon, Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, Central Fisheries Research Institute, Trabzon, Turkey, 18-20 September 2015, http://www.macodesu2015.com/program.html
• International Conference “Marine and Fresh Water Ecology and Protection” – EcoProWater 2015, Tuscia University,  CONISMA: Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario Scienze del mare IIRFRE, Istituto Italo Russo di Formazione e Ricerche Ecologiche, Viterbo City Hall,  Viterbo, Italy, 1-3 October 2015, https://sites.google.com/a/unitus.it/ecoprowater/Home
• International Conference “Environmental Approaches - Moving Forward Agricultural Farms Sustainability”, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, Iasi, Romania, 22-25 October 2015, http://www.benaweb.gr/2015-conferences/October2-agriculture.pdf
• 3^rd BENA International Conference, “Harmonization of Environmental Research and Teaching with Sustainable Policy HERTSPO2015”, University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” Faculty of Natural Sciences,  Albania, 13-15 November 2015, http://www.shkodrabena.com

2014:

• 49 Croatian and 9th International Symposium of Agriculture, organized by the University of Zagreb, University of Osijek and BENA, Opatija, Croatia, 16- 20 February 2015  http://sa.pfos.hr
• International Conference „New Tools for Sustainable Management of Aquatic Living Resources” (AQUALIRES 2014), jointly organized by the National Institute for R&D in Environmental Protection (INCDPM), Balkan Environmental Association, under the auspices of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania, 16-17 January 2014, http://aqualires.incdpm.ro/
• International Congress on „Green Infrastracture and Sustainable Societes/Cities” (GREINSUS 2014), jointly organized by Ege University, Balkan Environmental Association, Izmir, Turkey, 8-10 May 2014,  http://www.greinsus2014.ege.edu.tr/
• 1st International Medical Conference ”Environment and Public Health” (MEDENV 2014), jointly organized by Balkan Environmental Association (B.EN.A.), Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, Medical College of Physicians, European Environmental Association, Constanta City Hall, under the auspices of the Romanian Academy,Constanta, Romania,  12-14 September 2014, http://medenv2014.xhost.ro/
• International Workshop on LHC, Astrophysics, Medical and Environmental Physics, jointly organized the Albanian Shkodra and Tirana Universities, by CERN, the French and Italian HEP community (CNRS-IN2P3, CEA-IRFU, INFN-Bari), the Albanian Astrophysics community and local BENA members, University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Albania, 6-8 October 2014, https://indico.cern.ch/event/301017/

 2013:

• The 48th Croatian and 8th International Congres on Agriculture,  organized by the University of Osijek and University of Zagreb, co-organized by BENA, Opatija/Croatia, 17-22 February 2013, http://sa.pfos.hr/index_en.html
• 4^th International Symposium on “Environmental Engineering and  Sustainable Development”, organized by “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia and B.EN.A., 23-24 May 2013, Alba Iulia, Romania http://www.uab.ro/conference/bena
• 1^st International Conference on “Sustainability of Pharmaceutical, Medical and Ecological Education and research – SPHAMEER 2013”, Balkan Environmental Association (B.EN.A.) and “Ovidius” University of Constanţa, Romania, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences, under the auspices of the Romanian Academy, June 20-23, 2013, Constanta, Romania http://sphameer2013.univ-ovidius.ro/
• 2nd International Conference Research and Education in Natural Sciences (RENS2013), organized by University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” Faculty of Natural Sciences,  Balkan Environmental Association (BENA), Water Research Institute of Shkodra Region (WRISHR), Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Shkodra, Albania, November 15-16, 2013, http://www.rens2013.com/

2012:

• The 47th Croatian and 7th International Congres on Agriculture,  organized by the University of Osijek and University of Zagreb, co-organized by BENA, Opatija/Croatia, 17-22 February 2013, http://sa.pfos.hr/index_en.html
• International Conference on "Sustainable Landscape Planning and Safe Environment", organized by Balkan Environemntal Association (BENA), Istanbul Technical University (Faculty of Landscape Arhitecture), Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forests, Istanbul Metropolitan Planning, Istanbul/turkey, 21-24 June 2012, http://www.bena2012.com
• International Conference on Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (MarCoastEcos2012): increasing knowledge for a sustainable conservation and management, organized by University of Tirana, Association for Protection of Aquatic Wildlife of Albania, EuroMedLag - Endorsing institutions and organizations: EUCC, Conservatoire du Littoral,  CoNISMa, MARS Network, EURONATUR, TETHYS,  WWF, B.EN.A., MESAEP, MASH etc., Tirana, Albania 25-28 April 2012, http://www.marcoastecos2012.al
• The 47th National Congres and 7th International Congres on Agriculture,  organized by the University of Zagreb and University of Osijek, co-organized by BENA, Opatija/Croatia, 13-17 February 2012, http://sa.agr.hr/general/organizers.html

 2011:

• The 46th National Congres and 6th International Symposium on Agriculture,  organized by the University of Zagreb and University of Osijek, co-organized by BENA, Opatija/Croatia, 14-18 February 2011, http://sa.pfos.hr/index_e.php
• 3^rdInternational Symposium on “Environmental Engineering and  Sustainable Development”, organized by “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia and B.EN.A., 26th – 27th May 2011, Alba Iulia, Romania http://www.uab.ro/conference/bena
• International Conference on”Sustainable Development in Coastal Areas” organized by B.EN.A. and the University of Ioannina in 29^th June – 1^st July 2011, Ioannina, Greece; http://www.benaweb.gr/
• International Symposium “Protection and Sustainable Management of the Black Sea Ecosystem, Third Millenium Imperative V^th Edition”, organized by the National Institute for Marine Research and Development „Grigore Antipa”, co-organied by B.EN.A. and the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, 29-30 September 2011, Constanta, Romania http://www.rmri.ro
• International Conference on: „Environmental Capacity Building” – ECB 2011, organized by B.EN.A., Romanian Academy, European Center of Excellence for the Environment – „Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 11-13 November 2011, Bucharest, Romania; http://www.benaweb.gr/
• International Symposium “The Environment and Industry” organized by the National Institute for Industrial Ecology ECOIND Bucharest, Romanian Society for Chemistry and co-organized by B.EN.A., 16-19 November 2011, Bucharest, Romania http://www.incdecoind.ro/simi/simi2011/anunt-simpozion-2011.html

 2010:

• The 45th National Congres and 5th International Congres on Agriculture,  organized by the University of Osiejk and University of Zagreb, co-organized by BENA, Opatija/Croatia, 15-19 February 2010, http://sa.pfos.hr/
• International Workshop “Fishery and Aquaculture – A View Point upon the Sustainable Management of the Water Resources in Balkan Area”, organized by the University "Dunarea de Jos" of Galati - Faculty of Food Science and Engineering in collaboration with  Balkan Environmental Association B.EN.A., Romanian Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Research-Development Institute for Aquatic Ecology, Fishery and Aquaculture Galati, 26-28 May 2010, Galati/Romania http://www.sia.ugal.ro/BENA-2010
• International Seminar in the frame of EU Project TR0703.01-03/35  – BENA and Urban and Public Health Association, Adnan Menderez University, ADÜ Congress Center, Aydin, Turkey, 20-21 August 2010
• International Workshop „Global and Regional Environmental Protection” organized by Polytehnic University of and B.EN.A., 26-28 November 2010, Timisoara/Romania, http://benatim2010.mec.upt.ro/

2009:

• International Workshop on “Environmental, Nutrition, Health Relationship in the frame of EU Policy”, in Galati, ROMANIA, co-organized by B.EN.A.,  Romanian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, University “Dunarea de Jos” - Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary (USAMV), Institute of Food Bioresources, January 16-17, 2009
• 4^th International Congress on Agriculture Opatija, Croatia    organized by the Universities of Zagreb and Osijek, co-organized by B.EN.A., February 16-21, 2009
• 3^rd International Conference on “Life Quality and Capacity Building in the frame of a Safe Environment”, organized by B.EN.A. and the Municipality of Katerini, Prefecture of Pieria, GREECE, March 17-20, 2009
• 2^nd International Symposium on “Management and Sustainable Protection of Environment” organized by “1st December 1918” University of Alba Iulia and B.EN.A., May 6-7, 2009
• International Symposium on “Sustainable Development in Southeast Europe” organized by B.EN.A., Namik Kemal University, Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey, June 17-20, 2009
• 2^nd International Symposium on “Impact of Environmental Pollution on Public Health” organized by B.EN.A. and Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania,15-18 July 2009
• International Symposium on “Pollution Management and Environmental Protection" organized by B.EN.A. and University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Albania, 16-20 September 2009
• International Symposium “The Environment and Industry” organized by the National Institute for Industrial Ecology ECOIND Bucharest, Romanian Society for Chemistry and co-organized by B.EN.A., 28-30 October 2009
• 2^nd FP7 Workshop– Upgrade Black Sea Scene – organized by B.EN.A. in Bucharest, Romania, 1-6 November 2009
• International Workshop and Round table: "Planning for sustainable development and implementation of strategies for the protection of wetlands, lakes and protected areas along the Black Sea Coast“, 22-23 July 2008 organized by “Ovidius” University, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (USA), B.EN.A. and the National Institute for Marine Research and Development „Grigore Antipa” Constanta, Romania.

The scientific events were organized by B.EN.A. with the support of public institutions and local authorithies:

• Albania: University of Tirana – Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” Faculty of Natural Sciences, Academy of Sciences,  University of University of Vlora.
• Croatia: University of Zagreb, University of Osijek, Ministry of Environment.
• Greece: Alexander Technological Education Institution of Thessaloniki, University of Ioannina, Katerni Municipality,  Pieria Prefecture, Florina Municipality, Preveza Municipality, Halkidiki Prefecture.
• Italy: Tuscia University, CONISMA: Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario Scienze del mare IIRFRE, Istituto Italo Russo di Formazione e Ricerche Ecologiche, Viterbo City Hall, Italy.
• Romania:  Romanian Academy of Sciences, National Research Institute for Environmental Protection-National Institute for Marine Research and Development „Grigore Antipa” Constanta, National Institute for Industrial Ecology – ECOIND Bucharest, the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia, Politehnic University of Bucharest, Politehnic University of Timisoara, Transilvania University of Brasov, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, Ovidius University of Constanta, Constanta Municipality, Constanta County Council, Alba Iulia Municipality, Sebes Municipality, Tulcea County Council.
• Serbia: University of Belgrade, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Belgrade Municipality, Rakovica Municipality.
• Turkey: Istanbul Technical University, Ministry of Environment and Forests of Turkey, Ege University of    Izmir, „Namik Kemal” University of Tekirdag, Turkish Chemical  Manufacturer Association, ISKI Istanbul,    Istanbul Metropolitan Planning, Ege University Izmir, Research Center for Environmental Problems, Faculty    of Fisheries,  Karadeniz Technical University, Governorship of Trabzon, Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, Central Fisheries Research Institute Trabzon.
• Private companies: TITAN Romania, TOMINI TRADING, TUBORG Romania, CARLSBERG Serbia,, S.S.    Istanbul Anadolu Yakasi KUMCULAR, Turkish Chemical  Manufacturer Association, PROCTER & GAMBLE,     ACDPI, COSMOTE, ALPHA BANK Romania, PIRAEUS BANK, BANCPOST etc.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Environmental education have been once more recognized as a very powerful tool for the appropriate ecological knowledge’s of the coming generations and not only, is the key factor for the tomorrow, active citizens. B.EN.A. put all efforts to introduce the environmental principles and concept to the young people and especially to pupils. The “feedback” from these actions are quite impressive and promising, the “kids are only sure quality for the future of this planet”.

Contact:

• Balkan Environmental Association (B.EN.A.) - Headquarter