Young Water Professionals Building Skills for a Shared Future
World Youth Skills Day, marked on 15 July, highlights the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence they need to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Young Water Professionals Building Skills for a Shared Future
World Youth Skills Day, marked on 15 July, highlights the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence they need to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.
This year’s theme, “Skills for a Shared Future,” is particularly relevant to the water and sanitation sector. As communities across the Western Balkans face climate change, pressure on water resources and increasingly complex infrastructure needs, the sector requires a new generation of professionals who can combine technical expertise with leadership, communication and cooperation.
With Swiss and German support, RCDN+ supports young water professionals in developing these competencies and becoming active contributors to stronger public utilities and better services for citizens.
Young professionals from across the region participate in training programmes, peer exchanges and regional learning activities where they strengthen their facilitation, coaching and training skills. Working alongside experienced professionals, they learn how to transform knowledge into practical action, support their colleagues and contribute to lasting institutional development.
“The RCDN programme benefits not only me, but also my colleagues, as we immediately translate what we learn into joint progress and development.” Nikolina Majdanac, Head of the Development, Investments, GIS and Design Department at UC Vodovod JSC Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Young Water Professional from AWRS
“RCDN has established a solid, quality-assured platform that empowers young professionals like me with the skills, mindset and confidence to grow into effective trainers and future leaders.” Erdonita Humolli Vitija, Project Manager for Strategic Advisory and member of Young Water Professionals Kosovo
“ I have gained skills in assessment-based training design, participatory methods and the application of quality standards, which have significantly improved my effectiveness as a trainer. “ Mirnes Custovic, Surveyor in technical sector of the PUC “Vodostan” Ilijas, Bosnia and Herzegovina ; Young Water Professional from UPKP
“I believe that through RCDN+, our skills and experience, as well as our innovative ideas as young professionals, will have a significant impact on improving the water sector in Kosovo.” Albert Salltakaj, Head of the Project Management Section at RWC Prizren and Young Water Professional from the Water and Wastewater Works Association of Kosovo – SHUKOS
“I plan to apply what I have learned in my future training sessions, further improve my facilitation skills and help other trainers deliver high-quality training by sharing good practices with them.” Hilda Hoti, Albanian Water Resources Management Agency and Young Water Professional from SHUKALB
By investing in young people and enabling them to become trainers, mentors and multipliers, RCDN+ helps ensure that knowledge remains within water-sector institutions and continues to benefit municipalities, utilities and communities across the Western Balkans. On World Youth Skills Day, RCDN+ celebrates the young water professionals who are not only preparing for the future of the sector, but are already actively shaping it.
