Wetskills-Lesotho 2023

About The Event

Wetskills event for transboundary cooperation in Water (Southern Africa)

Lesotho joined the fourth Wetskills event in South Africa (Cape Town, 2018) with 5 participants and a case. After this event Wetskills and the ministry (ReNOKA programme) joinde forces to create a first Wetskills in this Country and develop a 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.

All activities are focused on bringing young talents in the region together for improving transboundary cooperation and creating innovative win-win situations for a better water management in Southern Africa.

The Wetskills Foundation with partner ReNOKA programme of Department of Water Affairs Lesotho together with GIZ would like to welcome young professionals and students with a passion for water and sustainability to join this unique event in ‘the water tower of Souther Africa’. Southern African partners as 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 will join forces for this Wetskills event, focussing on transboundary 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 programme will run from 30 September to 13 October 2023. The central place of staying and working is the Capital of Lesotho: Maseru. The programme will contain various field trips to relevant water locations in the country, like the Katse Dam and wetland areas to visit the WetsNext project of Soil Erosion Blankets in Lesotho. The Finals & Awarding of this event will be organised in a special seminar.

Practical Information

Programme Wetskills-Lesotho 2023

Terms & Conditions Wetskills-Lesotho 2023

Deadline for registrations: 15 July 2023

After this deadline, every week a selection of the new applications is made until the program is full.

REGISTER

Registration

Registration deadline: 15 July 2023
After this deadline, 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)