Our EJWP3 Group began with a lot of energy and network-building among new participants, water sector officials, an EJWP Ambassador and others during a “Warming Up” week online from 4 – 8 October. The programme jumped into two masterclasses: one on EU Water Policy by Joachim D’Eugenio with the European Commission DG Environment, and the other as a meet and greet highlighting culture and art in communicating on the value of water by EJWP Ambassador Richard Elelman from the EURECAT, the Technology Centre of Catalonia.
“This first week for EJWP3 has already connected people, organizations and expertise to meet challenges we’re facing in the European water sector for years to come. I’m looking forward to what these young water professionals and their organizations can accomplish over the next 24 months,” said EJWP Director Naomi Timmer.
Early in the week, Naomi guided the new group through what to expect in the EJWP journey over the next two years, including bringing value of the programme to their organizations and individual careers. EJWP Trainer Jennifer Cronick led exercises for participants to get acquainted, and initiated planning with participants to target aspects of their professional and personal development.
Participants met on the Thursday with Water Europe Executive Director, Durk Krol, for an introduction to Water Europe and how it increases collaboration and contributes to innovation in the water sector. Water Europe is a founding partner of EJWP, and since the start we have been closely cooperating in events, such as Water Innovation Europe, as well as supporting Working Groups and Vision Leaders of Water Europe in the execution of projects. Together we add value to the whole value chain of water and networks by including a young energy and mind-set to building a water smart society.
And there was a truly dynamic interaction at the end of the week when all of our first three EJWP Groups came together online for a Meet & Greet to help build their professional networks in the sector and guide each other through questions in the programme or in their professional work. This first week of interaction with EJWP3 was all online, and we are happy to be planning our first live training week at the World Impact Summit in Bordeaux from 29 November – 3rd of December. As with all EJWP Groups, employer organizations of the participants will introduce projects for collaboration and host their own training week along the way.
The six new EJWP participants are from organizations around Europe: The University of Zagreb in Croatia, Natuurpunt NGO in Belgium, the Helmond Municipality in the Netherlands, two from the University of Thessaly in Greece, and one who is with both the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium and the University of Haifa in Israel.
Our water-smart European community is growing in expertise and networking. Did you miss warming-up week but still would like to be part of this great group of people and organizations? We have two spots left for quick decision makers, contact info@juniorwaterprogramme.eu
