Support for Young Expert Professionals Abroad

Young Expert Professionals, or YEPs for short, are crucial for international water projects. In September, a two-year training program specifically for YEPs working within the Blue Deal projects of the water authorities will begin. The YEP program combines studying with on-the-job learning. YEPs participate in a project team while also receiving lessons, training, and assignments.

The NWB Fund will financially support the participation of up to 20 local YEPs abroad at the request of the Blue Deal program office. The fund is investing a total of €220,000, covering 25% of the costs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs finances 50%, and the water authorities cover the remaining 25%.

By deploying YEPs, the capacity for local projects is strengthened, which is a key success factor (‘boots on the ground’). Local people have knowledge of the land, language, and culture, and they are permanently present. It also provides an impulse for the development of talented young people in the respective countries.

The fund wants to link the YEP program to the KIWI program, which also starts in September. KIWI stands for Climate and Innovation Program for Water Authorities International and is an initiative of the NWB Fund. The KIWI program trains Dutch water managers to contribute to climate adaptation abroad. Connecting both learning programs, for example through joint workshops or webinars, promotes knowledge exchange between the Netherlands and other countries.