Dear 2024, you have been everything except quiet, and certainly not business as usual. Still, we send you off with a toast, a smile, and a fond look back at the success you brought us. Here is what our team members say:

Having spent the better part of the year building a new roadmap towards a sustainable, effective, and widely recognized IAWD, Kati Schilling wraps it up: “We have taken a deep dive into our organizational and financial set-up and found a clear way forward. We also saw the second Utility Management Training (UMT) cycle graduate, with excellent graduation projects submitted by the participants, another class of capable utility leaders ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow, and the UMT concept proven beyond any doubt. Thank you, 2024, for rewarding our efforts!”  

Walter Kling looks back at the in-depth review and improvement of the IAWD, glad that our community is well on track to become an ever more professional working association with a strong membership base. “The decisions made at the IAWD Extraordinary General Assembly in October ensure good governance from the General Assembly, the Board and our highly professional staff, securing the trust of our partners in the sustainable growth of IAWD over the next years.”

Antonia Püspök enjoyed many memorable moments during the year: “My personal highlight was the 2024 Danube Water Forum in Brasov, Romania. We pulled off a record-breaking, enthusiastically received Forum. For the first time, more than 300 “water people” attended the DWP's annual flagship event. For me, two things stood out about this event: The excellent cooperation with the local water service provider, Compania Apa Brasov, and the energy, the fresh views and solid expertise of the participating Young Water Professionals.” Antonia's extra perk was the night train ride from Vienna via Budapest to Brasov: “I really enjoyed the dining car nostalgia and the beauty of slow travel.” 

Elisabeta Poci enjoyed 2024 as a very dynamic and productive year for D-LeaP, the Danube Learning Partnership: “We had great deliveries by the Hubs, with a total of fourteen Hubs, including the two Danube Hubs, rolled out during 2024, covering seven different programs including everything from Asset Management down to Water Safety Planning and Crisis Management. Most importantly, we were able to identify and secure additional financing sources to complement DWP support in the Hub deliveries, covering over 25% of our total resource needs. We also made important progress with enhancing the quality aspects of D-LeaP, developing a Quality Mangement Framework and D-LeaP training guides, both supported by RCDN+.”

Pierantonio La Vena joined the IAWD team in July 2024: “Diving into IAWD’s wide range of activities and helping to make an impact in the water sector has been an incredible experience. My personal highlight has been working with IAWD’s Young Water Professionals group. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and innovative contributions to conferences is amazing. They bring fresh perspectives to the sector and help build awareness about the critical challenges and opportunities we all face. I'm proud to be part of a team that makes a difference, and I look forward to contributing even more in the future!”

Ana Badhofer names her participation in the  IAWD delegation at the IWA World Water Congress in Toronto as her standout highlight 2024: “Showcasing the NewIBNET initiative, supported by the Danube Water Program, as a cornerstone for data-driven utility performance was a proud moment, and it generated incredible momentum. Water utility representatives from everywhere between Jamaica and Malawi were there, and the connections made, the recognition of the value of data-based work, and the opportunity to share insights on the global stage showed once again what collaborations like IAWD x NewIBNET x DWP can achieve. This was a once in a lifetime experience.”

So thank you, 2024, for memorable meetings, amazing achievements, and all the fond memories worth keeping.

And hello, 2025. We cannot wait to see what you have in store for us.

The IAWD team wishes you a great holiday season and a happy, successful New Year!