Tackling Water Pollution through Water Governance and IWRM
From 12–19 June 2022, Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWP CEE), in cooperation with GWPO and GWP Hungary and with the support of Xylem Solutions, organized the GWP CEE Summer School 2022. The event brought together 20 selected young water professionals for an intensive week combining theory and practice on water pollution, water governance, and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
Learning through Theory and Practice
The Summer School curriculum blended lectures with hands-on experience, allowing participants to apply newly acquired knowledge to real-world challenges. A key component of the program was the use of the GWP Toolbox IWRM Action Hub, which supported participants in addressing complex water and climate issues through structured, problem-based learning.
Applicants from more than 25 countries competed for a place in the program. The selected participants worked collaboratively throughout the week, engaging in discussions, group work, and case study development.
Location: Lake Tisza, Hungary
The Summer School took place at Lake Tisza, Hungary, a location chosen for its relevance to transboundary water management and pollution challenges. The Tisza River, linking five countries, faces significant water pollution issues, making it an ideal case study area. Participants had the opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with practical insights by exploring local water management challenges directly on site.
Lectures and Interactive Sessions
Participants attended lectures and interactive exercises led by experts from GWPO, GWP CEE, GWP Slovenia, and GWP Romania, as well as guest speakers from the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate, Hungarian water management bodies, and the private sector. Topics included:
- Stakeholder engagement
- Transboundary cooperation
- Water management at national and regional levels
- Sustainable sanitation
- Innovative practices to tackle water pollution
- Introduction to IWRM and water governance
- Problem-based learning and conflict resolution in water management
Through team-based case study work, participants developed scenarios and solutions for real water governance challenges.
Field Trip to Kisköre Hydropower Plant
A highlight of the program was the field visit to the Kisköre Hydroelectric Power Plant. Participants interviewed facility management and the mayor of Kisköre to better understand challenges related to pollution, water management, and future development. These interviews served as supporting material for the participants’ final presentations.
Final Presentations and Stakeholder Feedback
At the end of the Summer School, participants presented solutions developed during their case studies. They shared their findings with stakeholders from various backgrounds and collected feedback, gaining valuable experience in professional communication and policy-oriented discussions.
Hands-on Action: Tisza Plastic Cup
Following the academic program, participants joined the Tisza Plastic Cup, a large-scale initiative to clean the Tisza River banks from pollution. Working alongside multiple teams, they contributed to waste removal activities and supported preparations of rafts used to transport collected waste. This hands-on experience allowed participants to actively address the pollution challenges discussed during the Summer School.
“It gave me a lot of experience in teamwork and negotiation skills with limited time and people who have different backgrounds. It made me more aware of the acute problems that the whole world faces and how we all, with the right tools, can contribute to solving them.”
— Johana Kalda, Estonia
About the GWP CEE Summer School
The GWP CEE Summer School is a flagship youth initiative of Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe. Each year, it brings together aspiring young water and climate professionals to strengthen their knowledge through a combination of theory, practical exercises, problem-based learning, and interaction with experts from academia, policy, and practice.
Explore More
Resources
