Scholars attend Water Innovation Lab Danube + 2021
Five of our scholars (Habiba Ačkar, Šaira Delić, Dina Kurtalić, Azra Hadžiemrić and Ivana Čulić) were given an opportunity to attend the first Water Innovation Lab (WIL Danube+ 2021) which occurred on 2nd and 3rd of October 2021. During the first phase of the project participants were able to attend presentations from experts as well as to work in multidisciplinary groups on co-innovative solutions designs at a conceptual level.
Waterlution’s Water Innovation Labs (WILs) are front-running, immersive leadership development experiences designed to accelerate collaborative innovation, fast-track global knowledge-sharing and devise new innovations that improve water security for the planet. To date, 16 WIL programs, across 5 continents, 9 countries, trained 1500+ young water leaders, engaged 350+ mentors, and initiated 125+ water innovation projects.
WIL Danube+ 2021 brought together young leaders (18-35) from Danube countries keen to deepen their knowledge across water, environmental, agricultural themes, while simultaneously expanding their network, and gaining valuable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills. WIL Danube+ 2021 had mission to blend applied leadership skills training with opportunities for regional and national collaborations around water contributing to the implementation of the SDGs.
This years program community building and cross-cultural communication exercises with online sessions focused on water management with presentations from expert resource guests, and community dialogue as well as a 21st century entrepreneurship skills training for a bio-based economy.
“WIL Danube+ 2021 was a great opportunity to expand and exchange our visions on the Danube region both in the near and distant future. Lectures covered various topics while interactive group work was an amazing way to discuss the possible agenda regarding the different topics concerning the preservation and development of the region.”
“Water Innovation Lab Danube was an exceptional event that brings together waterpreneurs from all around the world around one common goal - implementing sustainable solutions, reducing the carbon footprint and making this world a better place to live in.”
“Through three-day workshops and webinars, Water Innovation Lab Danube + provided us with an opportunity to exchange knowledge and network with amazing professionals from the fields of water management and scarcity, utilities and agriculture, how it all fits in the SDGs and what can we as future changemakers contribute to the vision of a healthier environment for ourselves and the ecosystem. I learned both from the professionals and shared with the participants our wildest, most ambitious dreams for the Danube region which gave an inspiring ending to the whole event. Meeting with people who have the same vision as you but different skillsets is what planning a sustainable future is all about and there is nothing like an honest conversation with a note of brainstorming that can solve the problems we all must agree on having. ”
