From October 20 to 26, 2024, over 100 young Europeans and partner organizations gathered in Budapest and Szolnok, Hungary, for the 16th edition of the European Youth Parliament for Water (EYPW).
Organized by the International Secretariat for Water – Solidarity Water Europe (ISW-SWE) and hosted by Global Water Partnership Hungary, the event was supported by numerous partners, including Blue Planet, Agence de l’eau Artois-Picardie, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the European Corps through its Erasmus+ program, was marked by rich exchanges and a wide diversity of actions, highlighting European challenges linked to water and biodiversity, while offering participants concrete tools for action.
Group photo of all 16th EYPW members at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest (Hungary)
An edition rooted in the major issues facing Europe today
Participants were welcomed to the Hungarian Parliament for the opening session, which featured speeches by Janos ÁDER, former President of Hungary and founder of Blue Planet, Alan ATKISSON, Executive Secretary of Global Water Partnership, Antonella CAGNOLATI, President of ISW-SWE, Attila LOVAS, President of the GWP Hungary Foundation, and Stas PETERS, Vice-President of the 15th EYPW.
During the ceremony, the 15 participating delegations took the oath of office, pledging to defend the fundamental values of EYPW: democracy, solidarity and tolerance.
The 16th EYPW participants listening to a speech by the former President of Hungary, Janos ÁDER.
Boran MADEN, leader of the Turkish delegation, taking the oath.
Throughout the week, numerous panels of experts and players in the water sector enabled participants to deepen their knowledge of the major issues facing the European continent. Particularly noteworthy were the speeches that highlighted the need for cooperation between the various levels of decision-making and action if we are to make a difference in terms of water and biodiversity.
These exchanges brought together representatives from the European Union, the Council of Europe, international organizations and civil society, all of whom play a key role in resolving these challenges. Among them were András SZÖLLÖSI-NAGY, former Rector of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Education in Water Conflict Management, Maguelonne DEJEANT-PONS, former Head of Environment and Sustainable Development at the Council of Europe, and Mátyás MAKSI, European Commission representative in Hungary.
András SZÖLLÖSI-NAGY, former Rector of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Education in Water Conflict Management, moderator of the session Panel discussion: All levels of action and decision-making mobilized to protect water and biodiversity.
These exchanges highlighted examples of flagship programs at European level, such as the EU Blue Deal. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation on water management on a European scale, by supporting cross-border projects for the protection of water resources and the promotion of sustainable innovation, as well as WaterWise, a program to finance crucial infrastructure linked to the preservation of drinking water quality.
Photo: Mátyás MAKSI, European Commission representative in Hungary, during his speech.
Field Visits and Concrete Commitment
Through several field visits, participants had the opportunity to discover how policies in the field of water and biodiversity fit into regional planning and the daily lives of the people who live there.
The visits addressed key themes such as:
- Reconciling the challenges of urban planning and development with the sustainable management of water resources and the protection of biodiversity.
- The role of science in shaping public decisions in these areas.
- Strategies for raising public awareness and mobilizing citizens.
- Climate change risk management and the need to develop a risk culture.
Participants were invited to compare these experiences with policies implemented in their own countries or communities, thus enriching their reflections.
Some of the participants during a field visit to the Szolnok Flood Protection Training Center.
Advocacy and collective commitment: strengthening the impact of youth on water and biodiversity
Advocacy, an essential aspect of the EYPW, played a major role throughout the week.
A capacity-building workshop entitled “How to advocate for water and biodiversity”, led by Hasmik BARSEGHYAN, President of the 15th EYPW, and Stas PETERS, Vice-President, enabled young people to deepen their understanding of EYPW’s involvement in European and international processes, and to learn how to formulate key messages to defend these issues.
Gergana MAJERCAKOVA, Senior Learning Specialist at the Global Water Partnership, also took part in the session, delivering a poignant speech on the importance of youth in advocacy. Finally, participants enjoyed an interactive experience with the “Common Borders, Common Rivers” game, simulating the geopolitical challenges linked to water resource management, while promoting cooperation between the various players on the scale of transboundary watersheds.
One of the groups of participants during the Serious Game – Commin Borders, Common Rivers.
Elections: new leadership for the EYPW
Following a democratic process, EYPW members elected their new board:
- President: Magdalena ZIVANOVIC
- First vice-president : Lisa OPPERMANN
- Second vice-president: Oleg TIHON
From left to right: Lisa OPPERMANN, Magdalena ZIVANOVIC, Oleg TIHON.
These new leaders will be responsible for representing the ideas of the Parliament and carrying out projects with EYPW members over the next two years.
Celebrating cultural diversity
Beyond the debates and formal activities, the 16th edition of the EYPW was also a time for encounters, networking and intercultural celebrations. An intercultural evening enabled each delegation to share dishes typical of their countries, highlighting European diversity and the solidarity that unites participants.
The Turkish delegation at the intercultural evening.
The Project Forum also enabled delegations to present projects to which they had contributed at national or community level, encouraging the exchange of ideas and varied experiences. This session provided an opportunity to discover inspiring initiatives and strengthen ties between participants around their shared commitments.
Finally, as part of the Joint Action Committee, Noémie PLUMIER, 1 Million Youth Action Challenge (1MYAC) project manager at ISW-SWE, provided a detailed explanation of the workings and objectives of 1MYAC, an initiative launched in 2021 to mobilize young people around the world to take concrete action in support of Sustainable Development Goals 6, 12, 13 and 15, and which offers significant prospects for youth engagement at a global level.
Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable Future
In conclusion, the 16th edition of EYPW ended on a note of optimism. The collective actions, elections and many concrete initiatives discussed during the week mark the start of a new phase for the Parliament. The projects and connections established over the course of these days will continue to fuel young people’s efforts to improve water resource governance. The final declaration adopted unanimously by the members represents the compass that will guide the actions of the members of the Parliament for years to come.
Stay tuned to follow the next steps and discover the exciting advances that will come from this Parliament, now strengthened by its new members.
Group photo of all the members of the 16th edition of the PEJE at the Szolnok County Town Hall.
A project coordinated by the International Secretariat for Water – Solidarity Water Europe (ISW-SWE) 
Hosted by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Hungary
With the support of the Agence de l’Eau Artois Picardie, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Erasmus + program, the Blue Planet Foundation and the Office of the Prime Minister of Hungary.
In partnership with