First cohort of KIWI's strengthens capacity of water boards for international work

Recently, the first KIWI program of the NWB Fonds was concluded. This program trains water experts for international projects. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, it was a success; the program was largely conducted digitally, and the field visits were carried out later on. Almost all participants have now secured permanent positions in ongoing projects. Exactly what the NWB Fonds intended: strengthening the capacity of water boards.

The KIWI program started in January 2020 as a two-year learning journey by the NWB Fonds. Twenty motivated employees from various water boards, with some experience or even many years of work experience at a water board, and with the ambition to participate in international water projects, were selected. The goal was to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills so that they could eventually take part in international water projects as fully-fledged contributors.

Over the first two years, practical learning sessions were organized to develop the required knowledge and competencies. These ranged from lessons on multilevel water governance and stakeholder management to intercultural sensitivity. Additionally, it was planned for participants to join international field visits at least twice a year to experience the practice and carry out specific assignments abroad. However, the reality proved to be more challenging. Shortly after the kick-off meeting and the first training day, the course had to be adjusted.

Due to COVID-19, all learning sessions were transformed into an interactive online program. And because the KIWI participants could not travel, practical knowledge was brought in as much as possible from "outside to inside." For example, a resident project manager from Ethiopia, a Kenyan expert, and various Blue Deal partnership managers were invited to share their practical experiences and engage in discussions with the participants during an online session. On the rare occasions when the KIWI participants could meet in person, three networking events were organized. External partners (including VNG International, KNW International, NWP, RHDHV, VEI, and Wereld Waternet) were also invited to these meetings.

In the second half of 2021, the KIWI participants were able to apply the knowledge they had gained in a practical learning assignment provided by Blue Deal partnerships (including Colombia, Indonesia, Palestinian Territories, and Eswatini). Other learning questions related to the "cross-cutting themes" of the Blue Deal: climate adaptation and social inclusivity.

Due to COVID-19, the KIWI participants were unable to travel much in 2020 and 2021. Therefore, it was agreed with the NWB Fund to extend the program by one year. In 2022, all KIWI participants, with a few exceptions, went on one or two work visits abroad. This proved to be a highly enriching experience, as evidenced by the photos, videos, and reports shared via the group chat and social media (e.g., following Blue Deal employee Harmke).

In mid-December 2022, the first cohort of KIWI participants shared their experiences and practical tips on successful collaboration, flexibility, safety, and more with the new KIWI cohort that started in September 2022: the "KIWI-Climate Game Changers."

As the name suggests, they will be fully engaged in climate adaptation within the Blue Deal partnerships over the next two years.

The result: 15 of the 20 original KIWI participants from the first cohort have successfully completed the program (others had to drop out earlier for personal reasons). Of these, 12 have now become permanent members of a Blue Deal partnership team. All are motivated to remain active within the KIWI community as "KIWI-originals," as they call themselves.

Finally, it has been a true pleasure for us (Ronald Hemel, Lida Schelwald, and later also Wessel Kremer) to mentor this enthusiastic and motivated group for three years, preparing them for international work in the water sector!

Ronald Hemel en Wessel Kremer, Waterprof

Lida Schelwald, Envision-S

Mentors of the KIWI learning program on behalf of the NWB Fund