Continuing the journey of the UNESCO Water Resilience Challenge 2023: Youth Action for Water, the seven winning teams embarked on a new path to progress into the implementation phase—the UNESCO Water Resilience Challenge 2024: Road to Bali. The program kicked off in March 2024, marked by two opening events: the technical meeting and two training sessions on Implementation Planning and Stakeholder Engagement to prepare them before implementation.
Soon after, it was time for Team AquaCleanse Cambodia, AquaGuardian Philippines, C_H2O, Ecosolvers, Make Water OK, Kemujan Water Group and Tim Banyu to start bringing their solution ideas to life.
Over six weeks, the teams embarked on an exciting journey to execute their projects, which included key activities such as stakeholder engagement, materials procurement, solution construction, and prototype testing. Each project was funded by a $1,000 seed grant awarded when they won the previous challenge, setting the stage for creative exploration and impactful solutions.
Throughout this process, the teams encountered a variety of challenges as they engaged in real-world project simulation settings. By working on-site, the teams quickly learned that their initial plans often diverged from practical implementation and required significant adjustments. This hands-on experience pushed them to adapt and remain resilient as they learned to navigate the complexities of project execution in dynamic environments.
Encouraged to treat their initiatives as actual projects, the teams not only met but exceeded expectations. Some teams successfully secured additional funding and sponsorships, as well as established valuable collaborations with local stakeholders. From filtration revolutions to smart water technologies, each team has developed meaningful projects that made real impacts, empowering grassroots in addressing water challenges.
A glimpse of the teams’ implementations
In supporting the teams’ journey, we provided them with regular checkpoints with mentors to ensure that they were on track and could identify potential issues or risks early on. They were also encouraged to have an Expert mentoring session to receive guidance and recommendations from more experienced individuals, aiding their decision-making and problem-solving.
The knowledge exchange sessions were also emphasised through a Sharing Workshop where each team presented their progress to experts, mentors, and fellow participants. They shared their respective obstacles, which could provide their peers with the lessons learned to better their remaining execution plans.
While the teams’ hard work was put to the test, the rewards awaiting their success are equally significant. The victorious teams will have the chance to showcase their projects at the prestigious 10th World Water Forum scheduled for May 18th to 25th, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia. Visit here for more information about the team’s implementation journey.
