Wetskills event for transboundary cooperation in Water (Southern Africa)
In 2018, Lesotho joined the fourth Wetskills event in South Africa, with 5 participants and a case. After this 2018 event, Wetskills and the ReNOKA programme (Department of Water Affairs, Lesotho) joined forces for a special project, to implement the results of the case in Cape Town (read more about this cooperation). This was the start of the WetsNext project about the Soil Erosion Blankets in Lesotho, see movie.
The Wetskills Foundation with partners ReNOKA program (Department of Water Affairs Lesotho) and GIZ like to welcome young professionals and students with a passion for water and sustainability, to join Wetskills-Lesotho 2023, this unique event in ‘the water tower of Southern Africa’. All activities will be focused on bringing young talents in the region together for improving trans-boundary cooperation and creating innovative win-win situations for better water management in Southern Africa.
Other Southern African partners in this event are Department for Water and Sanitation of South Africa, Rand Water, Water Institute of Southern Africa, Young Water professionals in South Africa, Water Research Commission, Blue Deal South Africa and Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in South Africa. They all will join forces for this Wetskills event, focusing on trans-boundary cooperation in water.
What is Wetskills?
Bachelor, Master, PhD students and recent graduates work together in mixed teams on water challenges provided by organizations of the local and international water sector. The program will run from 30 September to 13 October 2023. The central place of staying and working is the Capital of Lesotho: Maseru. The program will contain various field trips to relevant water locations in the country, like the Katse Dam and wetland areas, and also a visit the WetsNext project of Soil Erosion Blankets in Lesotho. The Finals & Awarding of this event will be organized during a special Seminar.
Registration deadline: 15 July 2023
After this deadline, every week a selection of the new applications is made until the program is full.
Who can apply?
Any Young Professional (up to 5 years of working experience) and student (last year Bachelor, Master or PhD) from Lesotho, SADC region and other countries worldwide, with a passion for water & sustainability and intercultural teamwork.
How can I apply?
Prepare a motivation letter and resume, click the button on the right, fill out the online application form and submit it.
Selection criteria
The Wetskills Team will make a final selection among applications received, based on quality of motivation & resume. We also consider a good diversity of the whole group (incl. backgrounds, local/international, gender balance, etc.).
Costs
Participation fee for local participants from Lesotho, invited by ReNOKA programme is free of charge. Participation fee for local and international participants, who need accommodation in Maseru is € 395,- (excl. VAT, only for Europe). This Participation fee includes accommodation, teambuilding activities, some lunches & dinners, field trips, workshops, supervision, trainings and working venues. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses (plane tickets, local travel, etcetera), meals during working days and other personal costs.
Note: Wetskills Foundation and partners strive to lower costs for local participants, contact us for options.
Note: During past editions participants often successfully arranged financial compensation for their Wetskills participation from their university or employer. We therefore strongly encourage applicants to inquire about funding opportunities to compensate the costs (university mobility funds, travel allowance etc.).