Webinar Recap: Humanitarian Engineering – A Nordic Perspectiv

On 5 February, Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) hosted a webinar titled Humanitarian Engineering – A Nordic Perspective, featuring key representatives from the Nordic EWB organisations. The discussion was moderated by Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General of EWB Sweden, with insightful contributions from Marianne Nilsen Sturmair, Secretary General of EWB Norway, and Peter Horne Zartsdahl, Secretary General of EWB Denmark.

The well-attended session explored the similarities and differences in how the Nordic EWB organisations operate, highlighting the potential for closer collaboration. A key question posed during the discussion was:

“Engineers Without Borders exists in different forms across the Nordic countries. How do our approaches differ, and where do we complement each other?”

Shared Values and Strengths of Nordic Collaboration

Caroline Edelstam emphasised the strong foundation for collaboration across the Nordic countries, stating:

“The Nordic countries have a long tradition of solidarity and assisting each other, which is very positive in these difficult times the world is facing.”

Marianne Nilsen Sturmair echoed this sentiment, pointing out that despite organisational differences, the Nordic countries share many values that make collaboration a natural step forward. She stated:

“In the Nordic countries, we share a lot of values. We have slightly different organisations, roles, set-ups, slightly different ways of doing things. And I really believe in the strength of learning from each other, and that we are stronger together. I really think that we have the basis for a closer integration in our projects and a closer collaboration moving forward, something I also feel we are all very much in favour of.”

The Role of Local Partnerships in Humanitarian Engineering

Another critical aspect discussed was the role of partnerships in humanitarian projects. The panel explored questions such as:

“What role do partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and businesses play in your projects? Have you encountered any surprising successes or difficulties in building these relationships?”

A recurring theme was the importance of working with local partners to ensure sustainable and impactful projects. Nordic EWB organisations often operate through remote programming, collaborating closely with local partners to carry out projects, ensuring knowledge transfer and long-term sustainability.

Adapting to Crisis: EWB Denmark’s Work in Ukraine

Peter Horne Zartsdahl shared insights into how EWB Denmark has adapted its approach in Ukraine, focusing more on direct, on-the-ground engagement rather than remote programming. Explaining their approach to infrastructure reconstruction, he noted:

“The main contribution of our work, in Ukraine the situation is very different from when we work in for example sub-Saharan Africa, is for the main part in ensuring sustainability in local engagement by being on the ground. Most of the partners we work with act as intermediaries, with local partners doing the work on the ground, while international NGOs and organisations work remotely. We are doing it differently in Ukraine. We are on the ground, looking at the situation there. That is where we provide the added value.”

Looking Ahead: A Strengthened Nordic Partnership

The webinar underscored the benefits of increased cooperation between Nordic EWB organisations, leveraging their collective knowledge and resources to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian engineering projects worldwide.

As the discussion wrapped up, it was evident that there is strong support for deepening partnerships and strengthening collaboration across borders, ensuring that Nordic expertise can continue to contribute to sustainable development globally.

Watch the Webinar On-Demand
For those who missed the session, recordings from this and all other webinars held during the week will be available for viewing on our website from next week. Stay tuned!