The Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (UBBSLA) is an association of 21 municipalities located along the Bulgarian Black Sea cost, counting over 1 million inhabitants. UBBSLA coordinates activities in the field of local self-government, energy efficiency, tourism, culture, and transport, environmental and sustainable development. Areas of specific expertise and competence include cross-border and interregional cooperation; technical assistance; campaigning; project management; vocational training and education. UBBSLA has significant experience in the organization of conferences, discussion forums, campaigns and seminars of regional, national and international level.  Since 2002 a training center has been created within the UBBSLA where trainings and capacity building initiatives are provided upon specific requirements of the municipalities. In 2006 the Union has been certified according to ISO 9001:2000 for efficient quality management. As from 2009 the UBBSLA is Covenant Supporting Structure and provides technical assistance and coaching actions to support the local energy and climate planning process.