As the world faces a global emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vital importance of integrated and sustainable water management is exacerbated particularly for the most vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the impacts of climate change continue to add more stress to water security. For youth, the need for a sustainable future is especially important as they will have to live with the consequences of the choices we make today. Youth are already proposing innovative ideas and creating their own spaces to design and improve their future but they are limited by resources, capacity and connections. Once youth are equipped to realize their full potential, youth can become leaders and entrepreneurs in addressing the challenges of sustainable management of water resources and contribute to the SDGs. This program aims to address issues highlighted by youth and partner organisations related to capacity building, employability and a structure to better connect organizations and youth. As such the following objectives have been developed: To develop common and innovative methodologies to strengthen a global youth partnership addressing climate and water related issues and enhance their outreach and impact. To support European youth in acquiring transversal and specific skills in collaboration with program partners at global, regional and country levels allowing them do develop bankable projects or accessing employment opportunities and thus contributing to building a water secure world The program will develop material which will be accessible to all European youth on the Youth for Water and Climate platform and will develop a sustainable youth program which will be addressed to a yearly cohort of 20-30 young professionals. The first cohort will target youth aged 18-30 years old from France, Sweden, Slovakia, Hungary and Belgium. Priority will be given to youth with fewer opportunities. Criteria will also be added in the selection process to ensure gender balance. The program will have 3 phases: 1. Preparation research and development of materials: This phase will focus on program development and the 4 intellectual outputs: Youth Water and Climate Career Curriculum, a Mentoring guide, Community of Practice and a Youth for Water and Climate Programme roadbook. 2. Implementation of the pilot: An open call will be launched. The selected participants will start their journey with 3 modules, 1- Taking up a Career in Water & Climate Change, 2 - Innovation & Problem Solving ,3- Leadership development. Following these 3 modules, youth will be separated into 2 groups according to their specific interests, (i) Entrepreneurship (4a) or (ii)Professional development (4b). The youth will also take part in other learning activities, such as a Mentorship program, internships and International events to either take part in capacity-building workshops or advocacy activities. 3. Wrap Up and Evaluation of Tools and Programme: This phase will be dedicated to the evaluation of the project's results and improvement of the outputs produced using quantitative and qualitative data collected throughout the various activities. The program is expected to result in: - an increased capacity of partner organizations and young professionals to work at the European level and increased level of cooperation between the partner organizations; -the development and implementation of innovative replicable methodologies and tools for supporting young people in their professional or entrepreneurial development in the water sector; - for European youth, including underprivileged and marginalized youth, to be empowered and their capacities to be strengthened with transversal skills and water specific skills; - quality assured youth-led business projects and job creation potential are developed by youth, including underprivileged youth, in various countries, contributing to address water and climate related challenges. The expected impact is to have a strong and empowered generation of European youth' civic and entrepreneurial spirit who can play an active role in society particularly in the environmental and climate change sector. These young leaders will be motivated because of their improved knowledge and capacity to take hold of a local issue and provide a relevant solution to it. Also, for partner organisations to gain confidence in the abilities of the younger generation and improve their processes for youth engagement in the future and create more structured and permanent programs. The program overall will cultivate a community of supporting organisations and active young professionals who work together to strengthen youth involvement in the water sector. In the long term, the methodologies and outputs developed will be available to be replicated in other countries and regions. The youth participating will be the beginning of a community of ambassadors for improved youth engagement and connectivity with partner organisations.
The Youth for Water and Climate Programme had four main objectives. 1. Increase the capacity of partner organizations and youth workers to work at the European level and increase the level of synergy and cooperation between partner organizations. Improve the exchange of experience, knowledge and good practices between partners and hence increase the collective impact of the partner organizations with youth. 2. Develop and implement innovative and common methodologies and tools to mentor and support young people in their professional development and the development of their entrepreneurial projects in the water sector. 3. Empower European youth, including underpriviliged and marginalized youth, and strengthen their capacities regarding transversal skils and specific skills related to the water sector. Facilitate their transition to the labour market and increase their employment opportunities. 4. Support the development of high quality youth-led projects in terms of technical specifications, efficiency, monitoring, evaluation, quality assessment and job creation potential by youth, including underpviliged youth, contributing to address water and climate related challenges.
As global crises multiply, the vital importance of integrated and sustainable water management and water security is exacerbated. Young people make up more than half of the global population and are heavily and directly affected by water issues. They are also at the forefront of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The relationship between climate resilience, water security and youth employment is an urgent issue and will become more central in coming years. In the water sector, there are serious gaps in the workforce due to the shortage of human resources and lack of coordination between the needs of the industry and the offer of educational institutions. Organizations in the water space have expressed the need to gain access to tools, knowledge and expertise to better guide and mentor young professionals. Young people have also identified significant barriers regarding employability and entrepreneurship including lack of access to education and training and the need to gain more professional experience. The 2016 United Nations World Water Development Report on Water and Jobs recognizes that the challenges facing the water sector require the design of adequate training tools and innovative learning approaches.