EJWP organized a Water-Smart Bootcamp at the Water Innovation Europe (WIE) Conference with Water Europe from 19-22 June. Participants from European organizations benefitted from an interactive schedule that included specialized trainings, workshops, masterclasses, and contributions to the WIE Conference and Working Groups.
“One of the standout features of the Water Bootcamp was the diverse range of participants, representing a multitude of disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach fostered a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, allowing all the participants to gain valuable insights from different fields and challenge conventional thinking. A main takeaway is how powerful it is to create a fertile environment with other young professionals, who share and face the same professional challenges, said Bootcamp participant Gaia Zanzi, Implementation Assistant with Water Europe.
Workshops in the Bootcamp included:
- Personal Leadership
- Communication & Results of Water Innovation Europe (with Water Europe Staff)
- Inter-cultural Communication for Innovation and Creativity
Other Bootcamp activities included an exercise “fresk” interactive game on water and public health and participation in WIE side events on topics such as EU Policies related to Digital Water; Rethink Water Experience; and “Envision the future of the water sector: Youth & Skills,” which was led by AquaFed Executive Director Neil Dhot. EJWP Director Naomi Timmer was a panellist in the “Water human resources: which challenges and opportunities?” session of this event.
Along with the side events and trainings, Bootcamp participants networked in Conference dinners and took part in the Water Europe Working Groups. “Water Innovation Europe was an ideal event to organize our Water-Smart Bootcamp with some dynamic young professionals in the sector. It’s also a good opportunity to get up close to EU policy on water and glimpse on the impact in communities and health. I also learn from our Bootcamp participants and look forward to applying new insights in future events,” said Naomi Timmer.
EJWP Ambassador Veronica Manfredi, Director of European Commission DG Environment, was a panellist in a WIE session on “Which water policies do we need to ensure water scarcity, sustainability and resilience’ attended by Bootcamp participants, in which they were able to interact with their questions and comments. Ms. Manfredi also shared her experience with participants in an “energizing” session of the Bootcamp.
See the full Bootcamp schedule of activites
See the Water Innovation Europe 2023 post-event video: EU Water Policy – What’s Next?