The Youth for Water and Climate Programme is a capacity-building program, led by the International Secretariat for Water - Solidarity Water Europe with the financial support of Erasmus+, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Agence de l’Eau Artois-Picardie. The tools, structure and content of the YWC programme were developed with a consortium of partners including the Global Water Partnership, Global Water Partnership – Central and Eastern Europe, cewas, Global Water Partnership Hungary and Good Planet Belgium. 

In the water sector, indicators show that there are serious gaps in the workforce due to the shortage of human resources, differences in the skills required depending on the rural or urban environment, the lack of incentives for workers, and the lack of coordination between the needs of the industry and the offer of educational institutions. The Youth for Water and Climate (YWC) Programme aims to address these gaps and equip youth to become leaders and entrepreneurs to address the challenges of sustainable management of water resources, build climate resilience and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Following the implementation of the pilot phase YWC Programme, 100% of participants secured a job or furthered their studies in the water & climate sector.
The programme's second phase was launched in Strasbourg in December 2023, with the aim of expanding the number of beneficiaries.
This programme targets young people, aged between 18 and 30 years old, who wish to gain tools and knowledge and expand their network to pursue a career within the water and climate sector. It also targets youth who wish to further strengthen their entrepreneurial project in this sector.

If this feels like you, read on - you could be our ideal candidate for the program’s next phase!

Why should you join the YWC Programme?

The programme will offer a participation in two international workshops, a mentorship opportunity, a community of practice and a complete online curriculum to support youth who wish to further develop their professional skills and/or entrepreneurial skills in the water and climate sector.

Moreover, after completing the two planned mobilities, you are guaranteed to receive a certificate recognized across the European Union that value all the competences and tools acquired through the programme : the Youthpass! 
Learn and boost your skills

As a participant of the Youth for Water and Climate Programme, you will take part in two 5-day international seminars the first one being organized in Budapest, Hungary (19-25th January 2025), the second one being organised in Strasbourg in August 2025.

Through these international seminars, you'll benefit from a European vision of water-related issues, with insights specific to each mobility country, by meeting local players in the field and reflecting together on the sector's themes.

Finally, you'll enjoy personalized workshops in line with the key themes of the YWC Curriculum.

The YWC Curriculum is an open-source and freely available online course which will provide you with the tools and skills to face our planet's climate and water challenges.

The objective is also to provide you with cross-disciplinary leadership and methodological skills, so that you can apply your water & climate solutions in your professional career, or as an independent entrepreneur.

Throughout the YWC Programme, you will be invited to complete the online curriculum at your own pace.Here are the themes of the modules that will be covered, which you will also deepen in workshops during the international seminars.

• Take-up a career in the water & climate sector
• Develop personal professional skills to become a great leader
• Learn how to start an impactful business or plan your own project
• Start a professional career in a water and climate organization

Receive mentoring from experience professionals

During the entire programme, you will be matched with a mentor, an experienced professional from the water and climate sector, with whom you shall connect on a regular basis.

He/she will give you personalized advice on your future career and tell you all about the jobs in the sector and the opportunities available to you.
Mentors from the previous cohorts included directors of Water agencies, managers of organizations in the water sector, representatives of local, national or international institutions, etc.

Throughout the programme, you will receive guidance to maximize the impact of this relationship through the Mentorship Guide developed by the partners.

Join a wide community of practice

Participating in this program will enable you to forge valuable connections and build your network through interactions with mentors, partners, and fellow water sector professionals. You will be invited to actively participate in an online community of practice with all mentors, partners, and young participants of the YWC Programme. 

The community of practice will be a safe platform for collaboration and coordinated action, building leadership capacity, sharing of ideas, and improving the quality of knowledge and learning approaches. You will be invited to take ownership of this space and actively participate in its design and management.

What is the calendar of activities?

Deadline to submit your application: December 20th, 2024

Communication of results to participants: Early January 2024 (at the latest)
In-person workshop (Budapest, Hungary): From  January 19th to 25th, 2025

Throughout the program, monthly online activities will be organised through the community of practice. The agenda will be co-developed with the participants during the program. Furthermore, the participants will also be invited to take leadership in organising their own meetings with their mentor.

What are the selection criteria?

• You are between 18 and 30 years old
• Currently living in one of these countries: Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Roumania or the Netherlands. 
• Studying, working and/or volunteering in a field related to water and climate
• Strong commitment and interest for water and climate related issues (national, regional or international level)
• Significant motivation to take part in the program & availability to take part in all the program activities.
• Must be able to communicate in English
• Must have access to Internet
• Be fully available for the first mobility organized in Budapest (Hungary) between 
  
  January 19th to 25th, 2025 and Strasbourg (August 2025).

What are the fees and costs?

The fees and costs related to the workshops will mostly be covered by the organizers:

• International transportation
• Accommodation and food
• Activities and program expenses

Covered by the participants:

• Local transportation
• Insurance (mandatory)
• Other personal expenses

How can I apply?

To apply, you must submit this form, including the short 2min video presentation and the 200-word essay, before December 20th, 2024 - 11:59 PM CEST.

Do you have any question?

Consult the YWC platform:  https://youthwaterclimate.org/ywc-programme/

For any question, please contact Clément DOLISI, European office Coordinator at ISW-SWE : cdolisi@see-swe.org.