2024 in review: A Year of Innovation and Impact with EWB-SWE! ✨

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2024 in review: A Year of Innovation and Impact with EWB-SWE! ✨
2024 has been an inspiring year filled with impactful initiatives, new partnerships, and remarkable achievements! Here’s a selection of highlights from the past year. We wish you a fantastic 2025! What do you remember most from the year? Comment below!

FIRST QUARTER

Celebrating Mavuno Girls’ Academic Success – January 19
Mavuno Modal Girls’ Secondary School ranked 53rd out of 5,060 Tanzanian schools in national exams. This milestone reflects the transformative power of education in underserved communities.

Polhem Prize Donation – January 22
Staffan Truvé, co-winner of the prestigious Polhem Prize, donated his share to EWB-SWE, empowering our work in humanitarian engineering and sustainable solutions.

Sustainable Engineering Week – February 5-9
We celebrated sustainability through events across four cities, engaging engineers, students, and professionals in dialogues on innovative solutions.

WASH Project Expansion in Tanzania – March 1
With support from the Alstom Foundation, EWB-SWE expanded its WASH initiatives, improving water access, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene for thousands of students in Tanzanian schools.

Partnership with IT for Children in Ghana – March 5
EWB-SWE partnered with IT for Children to support digital literacy among students and teachers in Ghana, offering mentorship in robotics, web development, and animation.

New Media Monitoring Partnership – March 11
We partnered with NewsMachine to launch a global press room, enhancing our ability to share impactful stories and updates internationally.

Advocating for Civil Society Aid Projects – March 26
EWB-SWE, along with 69 civil society representatives, contributed to a debate article opposing the government’s proposed increase in co-financing requirements for aid projects.

SECOND QUARTER

Featuring in Queen Silvia’s CATCH Commemorative Book – April 3
We were honored to feature in a commemorative book celebrating the decade-long contributions of Queen Silvia's Foundation, supporting transformative educational projects.

Annual Meeting of EWB-SWE – April 25

Welcoming Kadesjös as new supporting partner – May 3

Collaborating with WOW Foundations – May 7
Our partnership with WOW Foundations fosters inclusion and professional development for immigrant women and international students in engineering.

Our first Missing Maps Mapathon in 2024 was held – in May 14

Water Treatment Solutions in Chile – May 16
EWB-SWE announced a partnership with Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Chile to develop sustainable water treatment solutions for vulnerable communities in Valparaíso. 

Welcoming Rörkraft as new partner – May 28

Fundraising for Mavuno School Solar Panels – June 4
We intensified efforts to install solar panels at the Mavuno School, creating a stable and sustainable learning environment for girls in Tanzania.

ACCESS Forum in Stockholm – June 10-14
EWB-SWE joined discussions on science diplomacy and sustainability at the ACCESS Forum, strengthening Swedish-Chilean partnerships.

WASH Project Progress in Tanzania – June 14
Our WASH initiative in Tanzania made significant progress with the installation of rainwater harvesting systems and capacity-building workshops, directly benefiting over 4,700 students and teachers.

International Women in Engineering Day – June 23
We celebrated the achievements of women engineers like Taline Forsberg and Anne Sankari, from Sandvik, highlighting their contributions to sustainable engineering. 

THIRD QUARTER

We presented our half-year report – July 10.

Mavuno Project 30th Anniversary – August 23
We celebrated 30 years of partnership with the Mavuno Project in Tanzania, reflecting on shared successes in education, water systems, and solar energy.

Frihamnsdagarna in Gothenburg – August 29-31
At Frihamnsdagarna, we engaged visitors through seminars and workshops, promoting the role of engineering in societal change.

“How to Solve the Problem" Podcast Feature – August 29
Tommy Lindström shared insights on turning sewage into irrigation water and biodiesel in Chile during this inspiring podcast episode.

Seminar on Water Challenges in Latin America – September 3
EWB-SWE co-hosted a high-level seminar with NILAS, addressing water challenges and sustainable solutions for resilience in Latin America.

SEB Next Awards Finals – September 5
EWB-SWE proudly represented the engineering community, showcasing our impactful initiatives during the prestigious SEB Next Awards finals.

EWB-SWE Information meetings for new members and volunteers – 9 & 12 September

EWB-SWE & Sandvik mentorship programme pilot started – September 27

FOURTH QUARTER

Virtual Missing Maps Mapathon – November 26
With over 35 participants, our Mapathon focused on mapping critical areas in India, supporting humanitarian aid and disaster resilience efforts.

New Collaboration with Architects Without Borders Sweden – December 11
This partnership combines engineering and architectural expertise to advance sustainable, equitable development projects globally.

Empowering Girls’ Education in Tanzania – December 11
Thanks to a generous donation from Sandvik, honoring Bolidens’ 100-year anniversary, critical facilities at Mavuno Upper-Level Secondary High School for Girls in Karagwe are closer to completion.

Ingenjörsdagen 2024 – December 13
At Ingenjörsdagen, we explored cutting-edge technologies like robotics and connected with engineers and innovators on sustainability topics.

Welcoming Westermo as a New Supporting Partner – December 13
Westermo joined as a partner, bringing their expertise in industrial communication to advance EWB-SWE’s mission of sustainable development.

What a remarkable year of growth and collaboration!

The above highlights are just a glimpse of all the activities that have been going on throughout the year. Beyond these milestones, our local student groups have been bustling with activity—organising team-building events, hosting lunch seminars with our partners, and leading engaging case nights. Additionally, our Board, Competence Groups, Project Committees and other engaged teams of members have held numerous meetings, workshops, and seminars, as well as participated in fairs, employment days, site visits, and much more. We have accomplished this together! We are proud and happy for our dedicated community!

Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s make 2025 even more impactful! 🌍✨

 

 

EWB Global Summit 2024: Paving the Path for Collaborative Action

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The 2024 Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Global Summit marked a significant moment for the global EWB movement. Leaders and members came together with a shared vision: to align their efforts, pursue meaningful collaborations, and dedicate the resources necessary to amplify their impact. This summit was not merely an event but a launchpad for future collaborations aimed at addressing global challenges through sustainable engineering.

A New Chapter for EWB Collaboration

A central theme of the summit was the opportunity to shape the future together. Attendees engaged in discussions about shared priorities, resulting in the establishment of several working groups that will carry forward the momentum. These groups are focused on key areas such as:

  • Global Charter Steering Group: Driving the development of a unified EWB charter to articulate our shared mission and values.

  • Impact Reporting Steering Group: Developing robust frameworks to measure and communicate the outcomes of EWB initiatives.

  • Centre of Excellence for Community Infrastructure: Pooling expertise to enhance the quality and sustainability of infrastructure projects.

  • Educational Challenges Group: Tackling global education barriers with innovative engineering solutions.

  • Marketing Peer Group: Sharing strategies to increase visibility and support for EWB’s work.

  • EWBs That Want to Grow Group: Supporting organisations eager to scale their efforts and deepen their impact.

Participation in these working groups is open to all EWB members. By joining, you can help ensure these priorities are actioned effectively.

The Summit Report: A Foundation for Progress

The comprehensive summit report, now available online, captures the key discussions, agreements, and actions that emerged from the event. It serves as a reference point and a catalyst for the collaborative initiatives to come. Access the report here.

Additionally, photos, presentations, and other materials from the summit remain accessible in a shared folder, providing a valuable resource for reflection and planning.

Shaping the Global Charter

One of the summit's highlights was the collective agreement to co-create a global charter. Participants were invited to share their organisation's mission, vision, core values, and guiding principles. By analysing these inputs, common threads will be identified to draft an initial version of the charter. If you haven’t contributed yet, you can do so using this form.

Framåtblick

The summit underscored a shared commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability. By working together, EWB chapters worldwide can build a stronger, more aligned network capable of tackling the complex challenges facing our world.

Join us in this journey towards a more unified and impactful EWB movement. Together, we can drive meaningful change.

Welcoming Westermo as a New Supporting Partner

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We’re proud to announce Westermo, a Swedish leader in industrial data communication solutions, as our new supporting partner at Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE). With approximately 480 employees and a global outrech, Westermo combines cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability, making them an excellent partner in advancing our mission.

Westermo development and manufacturing operations are based in Sweden at facilities in Stora Sundby and Västerås. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ependion (formerly known as Beijer Electronics Group) and is renowned for its innovation and commitment to sustainability.

"We have found a partner who aligns with our values and company spirit, As part of our commitment to fighting climate change, we have decided to support Engineers Without Borders. We believe that engineering is key to solve environmental challenges, which is in line with their work and mission," Elin Sandell, HR Specialist at Westermo.

Elin Sandell, HR Specialist at Westermo

Their support will help to strengthen our operations in Sweden, allowing us to lift projects that align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create meaningful local and national impact.

"We are very pleased to welcome Westermo as a supporting partner to Engineers Without Borders Sweden. Westermo’s commitment and technical expertise are a valuable addition to our efforts to reduce inequalities and create sustainable solutions for the future. Together, we can make a difference and contribute to a more just and sustainable world," says EWB-SWE Secretary General, Caroline Edelstam.

This partnership reflects our shared belief in the power of engineering to address challenges in both local communities and international collaborations.

We warmly welcome Westermo to the EWB-SWE network and look forward to the valuable outcomes this collaboration will achieve.

We are excited to collaborate with the forward-thinking podcast How to Solve the Problem

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We’re excited to collaborate with How to Solve the Problem, a podcast dedicated to tackling global and local societal challenges. Hosted by Jonathan Cygnaeus, the podcast combines expert insights, data-driven analysis, and personal experiences to explore practical solutions for pressing issues.

With episodes covering diverse topics—from circular economy initiatives to space-saving Earth—How to Solve the Problem provides an engaging platform for meaningful discussions. Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) has been featured in this inspiring series, showcasing our work in turning sewage into irrigation water and biodiesel in Chile.

With this collab we look forward to amplify conversations around sustainable and inclusive engineering solutions. Together, we hope to inspire action and demonstrate how engineering expertise can drive impactful change.

🎧 Listen to How to Solve the Problem on Spotify and follow their Instagram accounts:

Thank you to Jonathan Cygnaeus and the podcast team for creating this fantastic platform for solutions-driven dialogue. Let’s continue solving the world’s challenges, one episode at a time!

Are we building homes for people that don’t exist? Pod talk by Warwick Kendrick , CEO of Aurora Construction

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We’re excited to share the latest episode of the How to Solve the Problem podcast, featuring our corporate partner Aurora Construction and their CEO, Warwick Kendrick, MRICS.

🎙️ Are we building homes for people that don’t exist? In this insightful episode, Warwick explores the untold crisis in real estate—why Europe might be building homes that are unaffordable, unnecessary, or unsustainable. He also gets into the implications for urbanisation in Europe and what this shift means for communities and economies across the continent.

This is the first of a two-part series tackling critical sustainability challenges in the construction and real estate sectors.

At Engineers Without Borders Sweden (Ingenjörer utan gränser), our mission to advance sustainability and inclusivity aligns perfectly with the themes discussed. Collaboration with experts like Warwick Kendrick reinforces the need for innovative solutions and long-term impact.

Curious to learn more? Tune in here:


Follow us for part two of this compelling series! Let’s keep the conversation going!

Listen to the episode here
 


We are happy to collaborate with the interesting and informative pod How to Solve the Problem, created by Jonathan Cygnaeus, a former EWB-SWE volunteer.