Objectives:

The specific objectives of WP4 are to: O4.1. Create, execute and evaluate the Innovative Training Programme. O4.2.
Develop the Guiding Toolkit for Soft Skill Development. O4.3. Create an online Community Hub. WP4 aims to develop an
ecosystem that facilitates knowledge transfer and communication across Europe’s different young water professionals and
their institutions on different topics such as augmented collaboration, innovation and water management. Setting up
connected and inter-disciplinary community of young water professionals of H2O-People European Junior Water
Programme (EJWP) in connection with the SKILLS4Water early career professionals and HEIs teaching staff in strong
communities, including community support and creation by the innovative training programme. The WP4 prioritises the
adaptive innovative soft skills training programme, career guidance and implementation of the training in work and train the
trainer in connection with more advanced professionals and students. These priorities will pour into creating the online
Community Hub. Through an integrated programme young water professionals will develop key skills for the future and their
professional development, based upon EJWP three pillars of development: 1. Knowledge creation and transfer, 2. European
network opportunities, 3. Personal and professional skills development. The innovative training programme is supported
with different categories of soft skills trainings: Personal & communication development, Co-creation strategies and
evaluation, Project and self-management, Leadership and pro-active strategies, Future century skills for sustainability.
Creating the community within a hybrid learning environment enhances the both the soft skills as well the digital skills and
support the needs of the community. It creates a sustainable surrounding for during and after the project SKILLS4Water by
creating and remaining an innovative online community including the required support on all levels.

Activities:

A4.1. Development of Innovative training programme
The development and implementation of the innovative training programme and two multiplier events will be conducted by
the following sub activities:
A4.1.1. Development of the innovative training programme by interviews with the partners and participating young
professionals on their needs and talents, as well following the needs assessment (A2.1.)
A4.1.2. Synthesizing and upscaling the findings of the face-to-face events.
A4.1.3. Development of two multiplier events to reach out to a large audience and share the results.
A4.2. Developing a guidance toolkit for young professionals
A4.3.1. Assessment of guidance needs of young professionals and opportunities at institutions.
A4.3.2. Identifying best practices and building a Guidance toolkit
A4.3.3. Pilot guidance programme during A4.1 and in connection with A4.3 opportunities, executing and training train-thetrainers
on the guidance toolkit.
A4.3 Implementation of Innovative training programme
Execution of the four trainings and two Multiplier Events is planned:
1. Introduction to Interpersonal and intercultural communication skills (organised by UNI). This event will be supported by a
ME to share the key messages and findings as well as the participants’ experience to a wider audience.
2. Leadership Basics and Personal Resilience & Agility (organised by H2O-People). This event will also be supported by a
ME.
3. Cooperation and co-creation (organised by ACEEU)
4. Conflict management and dealing with complexity (organised by UGAL)
A4.4 Creation of the Community Hub:
This activity involves creating a digital space where the next steps are followed:
A4.4.1. Mapping out the potential members from water industry and other stakeholders.
A4.4.2. Designing the items of the hub including the discussion form, events calendar and member directory.
A4.4.3. Identifying the Feedback mechanisms necessary for assessment and improvement.
Explain how this activity is going to help reach the WP objectives.
The planned activities outlined in WP4, which includes developing and implementing of innovative training programme,
developing a guidance toolkit for young professionals, aims to help reach the specific objectives of WP4 and reach out to a
broader number of students and early-career professionals across Europe.
WP4’s innovative training program is grounded in innovation and leadership. By nurturing a culture of leadership and
professional development through training, WP4 objective of cultivating a cohort of innovative workers in the industry and
empower institutions throughout Europe to foster the next generation of forward-thinking leaders will be achieved.
Fostering a community in a hybrid learning environment can boost both soft and digital skills, as well as support the needs of
the community. This creates a sustainable ecosystem that extends beyond the duration of the SKILLS4Water project,
resulting in an innovative online community that offers multi-level support.
The Guidance toolkit for young professionals will offer practical knowledge and best practices on developing personal and
professional skills that can contribute to sustainable outcomes, along with the community app.

The expected results here are the development of practical knowledge and best practices, and the acquisition of personal
and professional skills that contribute to sustainable outcomes of SKILLS4Water.
The innovative training program will result in evaluation reports on the acquired skills during the trainings and introduction to
the water contexts in the partners’ countries, and the ability to recognize different communication styles and be agile in
switching styles to increase effectiveness in cooperation, enhancing effectiveness in communication on different levels.
Guidance toolkit for early-career professionals is focused on the development of practical knowledge and best practices for
young professionals to develop their personal and professional skills in a sustainable manner, enabling young professionals
to apply the knowledge gained to their career path.
The first training will provide the ability to recognize different communication styles and agility in switching styles to increase
effectiveness in cooperation. Enhancing effectiveness in communication between countries, organisations, teams and
disciplines.
The second training will provide the ability to learn and experience basic leadership skills in a professional environment.
Developing awareness of reactions to change and ability to deal with what is at hand.
The third training will provide the ability to view on group dynamics in cooperating. Insights in own reflexes. Broadening skills
in cooperating in groups. Bringing ideas together and decision making in groups. Experiencing working together in projects.
The fourth training will provide the ability to understanding the concepts of conflict coaching, conflict mediation and conflict
coaching of a team.
The Community Hub that serves young water professionals, students and other stakeholders; and supports HEIs in their
mission on integrating soft skills in their curricula.

Deliverables:

1. Innovative training programme for the SKILLS4Water participants and connected target groups;
2. Guidance toolkit for Soft Skills Development;
3. Report on implemented innovative training programme;
4. Creation of the Community Hub