The Young Water Professionals (YWP) network in Kosovo hits the ground running: At this summer's Danube Water Conference they showed up in force. In September they announced their official IWA national YWP Chapter status. Not much later they went to the Czech Republic, sitting down with their counterparts in Prague to return home with a freshly signed Memorandum of Understanding.

Keenly aware of the multiple challenges the water sector faces in competing for young talent, the International Water Association has started the Young Water Professional initiative. It aims to raise awareness and interest in career paths in the water sector and works to establish a worldwide network of young professionals in water supply and wastewater treatment facilities.

Part of IAWD's longstanding cooperation with the IWA is a recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding regarding active support for the Young Water Professionals initiative. An important part of these activities is supporting international exchange, and YWP Kosovo took the opportunity to organize a study visit with the Czech YWP chapter.

With support from the Integrated Water Resources Management in Kosovo program, a delegation of four traveled to Prague. The visit started with an engaging session with Czech YWP with a focus on exchange of experiences and discussions on the role of the next generation in the water sector, followed by a guided tour of the Prague Wastewater Treatment Plant to gather insights into energy efficiency measures, NRW strategies and other facets of water management. A subsequent workshop hosted by the water utility VAK Beroun delved into the functionality and installation of Smart Water Meters.

The visit culminated with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Czech and the Kosovo YWP Chapters on future collaborative endeavors. Which is what the Young Water Professionals is about – networking. As a sector faced with multiple challenges, we are proud and grateful that the young generation takes the initiative and all available opportunities. We need more of that.