October 24th – United Nations Day: A Global Call for Unity and Action

October 24 marks United Nations Day, commemorating the creation of the UN and its enduring mission to unite countries around solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Since 1945, the United Nations has been a source of hope, tackling issues from poverty eradication and gender equality to climate change and digital innovation. The need for global collaboration has never been more urgent.

At Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE), we resonate with the values of the UN, especially when it comes to advancing sustainable development and creating positive impact through engineering. Whether through clean water projects, sustainable sanitation systems like Ecosan toilets, or renewable energy solutions, our international projects reflect a commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By working across borders, cultures, and disciplines, we provide practical engineering solutions that empower communities and foster resilience in regions facing crises.

Engineering for a Better World

Much like the UN, EWB-SWE believes that global challenges require global solutions. Our engineers contribute to bridging the gaps where resources are scarce, working on projects that tackle both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. From designing eco-friendly sanitation systems in schools to developing water access strategies in rural communities, we aim to build not only infrastructure but also local capacity, promoting peace, prosperity, and equality through our work.

This UN Day, we celebrate the power of international cooperation and the role of engineering in driving change. Together, with organisations like the UN, we continue our mission of creating a world where everyone has access to the opportunities they need to thrive.    

In today’s troubled world, hope is not enough. Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet. Hope requires all countries working as one. Hope requires the United Nations.

António Guterres

Interview with Clara Timothy, Project Leader of the Durable Beekeeping for Sustainable Livelihoods Project

We had the opportunity to connect with Clara Timothy, the dedicated Project Coordinator at MAVUNO, who leads the Durable Beekeeping for Sustainable Livelihoods Project in Chonyonyo, Tanzania. With a passion for environmental conservation and community development, Clara shared her insights into the project's goals, its potential impact on the local community, and the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s beekeepers.

What inspired you to take on the role of coordinating this beekeeping project in Chonyonyo, and what impact do you think it will have on the local community?

My name is Clara Timothy, and I am the coordinator of the Beekeeping Project at MAVUNO. I was motivated to take on this role because beekeeping is one of the few agricultural activities that does not require a high level of investment, making it accessible to many. More importantly, it has great potential to contribute to environmental conservation. This project offers significant economic opportunities, not only for beekeepers but also for the wider community.

In terms of impact, beekeeping provides a unique way to fight poverty, particularly for landless subsistence farmers. It enhances agricultural production through pollination and also contributes to nutrition and food security. Since beekeeping doesn’t produce pollution or waste, it’s inherently sustainable over time. Additionally, it empowers women and youth because it requires minimal resources to get started. And, of course, it plays an essential role in maintaining biodiversity.

How do you see the introduction of modern beekeeping techniques and equipment improving the lives of the farmers, and what challenges might arise with adopting these new practices?

The introduction of modern beekeeping techniques will have a positive effect on both the yield of bee products and the incomes of local farmers. It will significantly improve the welfare of the community because it addresses the livelihood needs of beekeepers in a sustainable way.

However, there are challenges to adopting these modern techniques. One of the main barriers is the initial cost of investment, which can be quite high, as farmers require technical support and services that are often inaccessible. There is also a lack of effective extension services, which makes it harder for farmers to adopt these techniques. Additionally, the absence of standardisation of bee products and inadequate processing and packaging facilities make it difficult to guarantee the quality of the products and limit market access. Climate change also poses a threat, as it directly impacts beekeeping practices.

Looking to the future, how do you envision the growth of the beekeeping sector in Chonyonyo, and what role do you think it will play in achieving broader sustainability and economic goals for the region?

The growth of the beekeeping sector will depend on several factors, including increasing awareness among beekeepers, growing the number of bee colonies, planting more trees to support bee foraging, and improving living standards for the local community. If we can increase the number of beekeepers and beneficiaries in the project, we can also increase the volume of bee products and income generation.

In terms of broader sustainability and economic goals, beekeeping is an ideal solution. It requires few resources and can generate a stable income. It also plays a vital role in the ecosystem by pollinating various crops, which supports agriculture. The income generated benefits both skilled and unskilled workers, and the best part is that it can be practised on a small amount of land. Unlike other activities, bees feed themselves, and people are only responsible for planting trees to ensure that bees have sufficient forage.

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Read more about the project on our project page.

You are also most welcome to support this important project. Please visit our “Support us” page to find out how!

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Apply for Master’s Thesis Proposals with Build Up Nepal

Are you passionate about innovative construction methods, sustainability, and contributing to real-world impact? Build Up Nepal is now offering exciting opportunities for students to complete their Master’s thesis while supporting rural development and earthquake resilience in Nepal.

We invite motivated students to apply for our Master’s Thesis Opportunities and collaborate with us on projects that make a difference!

Below are the available Master’s Thesis topics. Please find more information about each proposal by clicking on the link. BY clicking the green button at the bottom of the page you will come to our recruitment platform, where you can submit your interest.

Available Master’s Thesis Proposals:

• A Shock Table Earthquake Simulation Study

• Comparative Structural Optimization of Interlocking Bricks

• Optimising Brick Mix

• Partial Replacement of Cement with Additives

• Investigating and Mitigating Shrinkage Crack Formation

If you are ready to work hands-on with our team and take part in innovative, real-world challenges, we encourage you to apply. If you cannot access the links and files above, please go to this Dropbox link where you can find and download the proposals as PDFs.

How to Apply:

Go to our recruitment platform Teamtailor and select the thesis proposal you’re interested in. You can submit your application through the platform. Please read the fact sheets above about the proposal you are interested in first. You can apply for more than one proposal.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Henrik Gustavsson at henrik.gustavsson@ewb-swe.org

🌍 International Day of Peace - September 21st

On 21st September, the world observes the International Day of Peace, a day dedicated to upholding the ideals of peace at a time when it feels more fragile than ever. In today’s world, peace is not something we can take for granted. With rising tensions, armed conflicts, and aggression affecting countless communities globally, the situation is grim. Established by the United Nations in 1981, this day serves as a stark reminder that peace isn’t just an ideal—it’s a shared responsibility and an urgent call to action.

At EWB-SWE, we have long-standing experience working with underserved communities often located in the Global South, and while we do not operate in conflict or disaster zones, we’ve seen firsthand how vital peace is for communities to build the basic infrastructure needed for access to water, sanitation, shelter, food, education, and electricity. Peace is the cornerstone of humanitarian development.

A culture of peace

But peace is more than the absence of conflict. It encompasses respect, understanding, and cooperation between people from all walks of life. In a time when divisions seem to be growing, it is more important than ever to promote non-violence, inclusion, and dialogue. We can all play a role in healing divisions, standing against hatred, and nurturing a culture of peace.

Each of us has the power to make a difference. Whether by speaking out against injustice, embracing diversity, or encouraging conversations about peace and understanding, we can inspire others to join us. Together, we can build stronger, more compassionate communities that reflect the peaceful world we want to live in.

Speak up for peace

In today’s divided world, the call for peace must echo louder than ever. There are countless ways to engage, and everyone can be part of the conversation. Whether it's online or in person, we can raise awareness about the importance of understanding, non-violence, and disarmament. Use your voice and your words to challenge hate and promote unity.

Join the UN’s #PeaceBeginsWithMe movement, share stories of hope and change, and encourage others to do the same. Peace truly begins with each of us, and every action counts.

More info: Ten Actions for a Peaceful World
UN Main Page: International Day of Peace

Join our WASH Team!

Water and sanitation are the core of sustainable development. However, in recent decades human activity has led to severe water stress in locales across the world. Today, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and more than 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation (United Nations, n.d.).

The WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) competence team is one of the teams at EWB, which is working towards SDG 6 "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all". This fall kicked off with a meet up with the WASH competence team in Gothenburg. We discussed strategy, water and sanitation solutions and mapped our competences. The discussions were very rewarding and we all felt very inspired in keeping up the good work. 

The team is always interested in new perspectives and engaged people. If you are interested in joining or if you have any questions about the WASH work, you are welcome to contact Alicia Bizet, head of the WASH team at wash@ewb-swe.org.