Combining forces of 100+ selected international young academics and entrepreneurs to tackle the most pressing global water challenges by developing bold, sustainable solutions with industry, academic and public partners.

Next Generation Water Action is a global initiative that engages 100+ young talents from leading international universities and early stage start-ups, representing the next generation of water leaders. Coming from Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, South Korea, India, and Denmark, the Next Generation’s Water Action Ambassadors combine their diverse backgrounds and skills to foster a global answer to the world’s most pressing sustainable water challenges.

"Highly diverse in backgrounds yet united in their mission of challenging the status-quo of the global water industry, 11 startups and 22 selected student teams from universities in Kenya, Ghana, South Korea, Mexico, India and Denmark combine forces to crack some of the world's most pressing water challenges petitioned by our international partners."

Together with Poul Due Jensen Foundation, Grundfos, Rambøll Water & Foundation, the International Water Association (IWA) & IWA’s Young Water Professional network, the Innovation Centre in India & Seoul, the Embassy in Ghana  and global challenge partners, DTU Skylab & DTU Environment bring forward a tailored virtual program, that goes beyond the attendance of youth in events, but enables them to take action together with the corporate world and academic & public partners. The participants will not only be supported with mentorship, industry insights and bootcamps, but will also get a relevant stage to showcase and discuss their bold ideas with global decision makers.

"We felt empowered and focused on our duty to save our world. I think that the important thing is to support young people, since we are the ones who in a few years will be making the decisions "
Former Next Generation Participant from Colombia

Facing the current COVID-19 crisis, redesigned from previous successful Next Generation initiatives, Next Generation 2021 goes virtual for the first time in its history – being even more inclusive, scalable and sustainable than ever before: More participant spots, a global network of water professionals that provide sparring across time zones, virtual events, keynotes, and bootcamps, with less emissions as a great side-effect.

Timeline

The program runs from February. 2021 – May 2021 (Involving students in the spring semester 2021)

  • February to April: Kick-off and Solution Development Phase with Bootcamps, Mentor Session and Keynotes
  • 18th of May: Global Multi-Hub Final with local live events in each participating country
  • June: Acceleration of selected student and start-up teams
  • September 2022: Involvement of selected teams in IWA World Water Congress
Young participant speaking at conference. Photo: DTU Skylab.

Young participant speaking at conference. Photo: DTU Skylab.

 

Research and Learning

We support research and learning initiatives within science and engineering.

Centre for Climate Robust Electronics Design

Partner

Technical University of Denmark

Inter-PBL

Partner

Aalborg University

Sustainable lake stewardship

Partner

Aarhus University, Technical University of Denmark, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), University of Southern Denmark

Turbulence – Centre of Excellence

Partner

Technical University of Denmark

Water dowsing with science

Partner

Aarhus University

AU Centre for Digital Twins

Partner

Aarhus University

Open Additive Manufacturing

Partner

Technical University of Denmark

Inspiring science for teachers and students

Partner

Naturvidenskabernes Hus

World-class lab facilities

Partner

Aalborg University