Wetskills-Lesotho 2023
Wetskills-Lesotho 2023
September 30 - October 13
Wetskills event for transboundary cooperation in Water (Southern Africa)
In 2018, Lesotho joined the fourth Wetskills event in South Africa, with 5 participants and a case. After this 2018 event, Wetskills and the ReNOKA programme (Department of Water Affairs, Lesotho) joined forces for a special project, to implement the results of the case in Cape Town (read more about this cooperation). This was the start of the WetsNext project about the Soil Erosion Blankets in Lesotho, see movie.
The Wetskills Foundation with partners ReNOKA program (Department of Water Affairs Lesotho) and GIZ like to welcome young professionals and students with a passion for water and sustainability, to join Wetskills-Lesotho 2023, this unique event in ‘the water tower of Southern Africa’. All activities will be focused on bringing young talents in the region together for improving trans-boundary cooperation and creating innovative win-win situations for better water management in Southern Africa.
Other Southern African partners in this event are Department for Water and Sanitation of South Africa, Rand Water, Water Institute of Southern Africa, Young Water professionals in South Africa, Water Research Commission, Blue Deal South Africa and Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in South Africa. They all will join forces for this Wetskills event, focusing on trans-boundary cooperation in water.
What is Wetskills?
Bachelor, Master, PhD students and recent graduates work together in mixed teams on water challenges provided by organizations of the local and international water sector. The program will run from 30 September to 13 October 2023. The central place of staying and working is the Capital of Lesotho: Maseru. The program will contain various field trips to relevant water locations in the country, like the Katse Dam and wetland areas, and also a visit the WetsNext project of Soil Erosion Blankets in Lesotho. The Finals & Awarding of this event will be organized during a special Seminar.
Practical Information
Last Call for registrations: some positions left, ONLY for SADC countries, except Lesotho and South Africa AND other countries.
Every week a selection of the new applications is made until the program is full.
Wetskills-South Africa 2018 (movie)
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Registration
Last Call for registrations: some positions left, ONLY for SADC countries, except Lesotho and South Africa AND other countries.
Every week a selection of the new applications is made until the program is full.
Who can apply?
Any Young Professional (up to 5 years of working experience) and student (last year Bachelor, Master or PhD) from Lesotho, SADC region and other countries worldwide, with a passion for water & sustainability and intercultural teamwork.
How can I apply?
Prepare a motivation letter and resume, click the button on the right, fill out the online application form and submit it.
Selection criteria
The Wetskills Team will make a final selection among applications received, based on quality of motivation & resume. We also consider a good diversity of the whole group (incl. backgrounds, local/international, gender balance, etc.).
Costs
Participation fee for local participants from Lesotho, invited by ReNOKA programme is free of charge. Participation fee for local and international participants, who need accommodation in Maseru is € 395,- (excl. VAT, only for Europe). This Participation fee includes accommodation, teambuilding activities, some lunches & dinners, field trips, workshops, supervision, trainings and working venues. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses (plane tickets, local travel, etcetera), meals during working days and other personal costs.
Note: Wetskills Foundation and partners strive to lower costs for local participants, contact us for options.
Note: During past editions participants often successfully arranged financial compensation for their Wetskills participation from their university or employer. We therefore strongly encourage applicants to inquire about funding opportunities to compensate the costs (university mobility funds, travel allowance etc.).
Joining this Wetskills Event – What do you get?
A unique learning experience where you will tackle real-life water challenges with your own team!
- You will increase your skills in: international cooperation; problem solving, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary teamwork, networking and presenting (pitch & poster);
- You will get the opportunity to connect with other international water students/young professionals;
- You will exclusively visit the Wetskills finals and awarding a inspiring workshop in Maseru;
- You will visit Maseru and other parts in Lesotho: water-related, natural and cultural sites, and meetings with water experts;
- You will learn, network and experience more about international and regional water challenges, the main stakeholders and organizations, contemporary issues and current business opportunities;
- You will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the program.
More information
Participants from Lesotho: contact Phomolo Khonthu (phomolo.khonthu@wetskills.com). Participants from other countries: contact Johan Oost, (johan.oost@wetskills.com)
Event Cases
The Wetskills organization is inviting Case Owners (companies, knowledge institutes and organizations) to formulate a case for this Lesotho-2023 event, or one of the other events, and support the Wetskills program. Visit the archive of Wetskills-South Africa 2018 for an impression of previous event results. For more information, contact Johan Oost (johan.oost@wetskills.com).
Example case (Wetskills-South Africa 2018): Transboundary basin management: the challenge of creating a win-win situation
Case owner: Department of Water Affairs Lesotho
Water is one of the most important natural resources of Lesotho. The unique geographic location positions Lesotho as the ‘Water Tower’ of Southern Africa. Its wetlands sustain the perennial water flow of a.o the Senqu-Orange river system, shared by three other riparian states: South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Unfortunately, the water system in Lesotho is threatened by degradation and climate change, and so are its downstream communities, who are for their economic activities and water availability very much depending on quality water coming from Lesotho. How can downstream riparians influence the situation in the upstream watershed, of which they are extremely dependent?
Final poster
Final pitch
Cases for Wetskills-Lesotho 2023
Case 1:
Case owner: ReNOKA programme (Ministry of Water Affairs Lesotho)
information will be provided in a later stage
Case 2:
Case owner: Water Research Commission
information will be provided in a later stage
Case 3:
Case owner: Rand Water
information will be provided in a later stage
Case 4:
Case owner: ReNOKA programme (Ministry of Water Affairs Lesotho)
information will be provided in a later stage
Case 5:
Case owner:
information will be provided in a later stage
Case 6:
Case owner:
information will be provided in a later stage
Event Partners
Previous events in Southern Africa
