Commissioner Roswall visits World Water Academy: putting people and skills at the heart of water resilience

On 2 September, World Water Academy and KWR welcomed European Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Dutch Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken to Nieuwegein for a dialogue with representatives from across the Dutch water sector. Together, they explored how Europe’s ambitions for water resilience can be translated into the knowledge, skills and action needed in practice. 

Different perspectives were shared, but one conviction connected the conversation: policies, technologies and infrastructure can only deliver their full value when people have the capabilities to put them into practice. 

Commissioner Roswall has previously captured this challenge succinctly:

— Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.

A system, not a project

Gabriëlle Knufman, CEO of World Water Academy, shared the story behind its sector-led approach to professional water skills development.
Wateropleidingen was founded in 1994 by organisations within the Dutch water sector. More than thirty years later, its courses and programmes are still co-created with the sector. Through World Water Academy, this approach is shared internationally and adapted to local needs. Over 300 subject-matter experts help develop and deliver practice-based learning, supported by WWA’s educational expertise, learning design and didactical guidance.

The organisation receives no structural subsidy or core operational funding. As a not-for-profit foundation, it is fully self-sustaining: its work is commissioned and paid for by the organisations and professionals it serves. Any modest surplus is reinvested in updating existing programmes and developing new ones. This creates a direct form of accountability. Its continuity depends on remaining relevant, up to date and consistently high in quality—and on retaining the trust of the sector.

—  Gabriëlle Knufman, CEO World Water Academy

From knowledge to workplace practice

During the programme, sector representatives discussed how rapidly the work of water professionals is changing. New legislation, climate pressures, digitalisation and technological innovation are creating new possibilities—but also new demands on the workforce. Bas Tammes (Noorderzijlvest Water Authority), Hilde Niezen (RIONED) and Jaap Feil (National Water Traineeship) offered perspectives on emerging capability needs and the consequences of skills gaps.

Mariëlle van der Zouwen, CEO of KWR, addressed another essential link: turning research and innovation into professional action. Table conversations then brought this theme to life through examples from industry, water authorities and professional networks. Participants discussed tailor-made workplace learning, collaboration between trainers and operational experts, and the importance of courses and programmes that evolve alongside sector needs.

— Hilde Niezen, Executive Director, Stichting RIONED

Shaped through trust and partnership

Representatives of WML, VEWIN, KNW, the Blue Deal and World Water Academy discussed how consistent quality, practical relevance and long-term collaboration build and sustain trust in professional skills development. The discussion was not about creating another temporary initiative. It was about building an ecosystem in which employers, professionals, knowledge organisations and learning partners share responsibility for continuous development.

— Joyce Nelissen, Managing Director, WML (Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg)

Continuing the conversation

The visit came shortly before the European Commission’s planned launch of the European Water Academy. The exchange in Nieuwegein therefore offered a timely opportunity to share lessons from more than three decades of building a proven, practice-based and financially self-sustaining approach to professional skills development. Its strength lies in close collaboration with employers and professionals, continuous adaptation to changing needs and direct application in daily work.

We warmly thank Commissioner Roswall, Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken and all participating partners and professionals for their openness, insight and commitment.

Water resilience ultimately depends on people: the people who operate our systems, apply new knowledge, lead organisations and turn ambition into action. By continuing to learn from one another, we can build the capabilities Europe needs for a water-resilient future.