Chairman's report Chairman’s report In 2021, Engineers Without Borders celebrated its 20th anniversary. Looking back, it’s impressive how many projects EWB-DK’s volunteers have undertaken over the years. From the early relief efforts to solid water supply projects, construction of schools and health centers, and implementation of sustainable energy to ICT solutions.
Although COVID-19 challenged EWB-DK’s partnerships in 2021, we did not see it in the scale of activities and investments in the seven countries in which we are present. It testifies a robust organization that constantly thinks of new solutions and members with a great commitment. After a long absence of missions due to restrictions, we were finally able to get back into the field. From EWB-DK’s project groups, we have only got positive feedback about how our local partners have worked tirelessly. Therefore, we only had to postpone a few of our activities, and several projects were completed. These include our longstanding water supply project in Kenema, Sierra Leone, improvements in water and sanitation conditions at two health clinics in Freetown, and a successful climate adaptation project in two vulnerable areas of Freetown. At the same time, the efforts with incomegenerating mobile chargers, recycling of waste, and reorganization of tea production have led the way for new projects. The number of members is increasing, and our projects show that our volunteers embrace many technical skills. By the end of 2021, EWB-DK had 1,425 members. Our broad professionalism allows for efforts in different areas. It is exciting to follow EWB-DK’s professional development, and on behalf of the board, it is satisfying to see an organization in continuous professional development.
EWB-DK is experiencing a growing interest from companies that want to contribute to our work. In 2021, we welcomed Polytech A/S, Søren Jensen A/S, and NNE (Novo Nordisk Engineering), and we have seen For Engineers Without Borders - a significantthe increase of members Denmark year 2019 has been from companies. athe year of growth.We We also haveexperienced gained the commitment with great access to more resources fromsuccess when we representatives from donors andtook members. Ahead of us our members DIS and is thecorporate task of determining how best SDU on a mission to Sierra to maintain and utilise theseLeone. extra Here theyinvisited our partners and resources the longer run. identified for future Numberassignments of active projects has study projects and specific increased by 38% during theareas 2019. of collaboration. From 26 active projects in 2018 to 36 in 2019. This was possible due to an Our increased collaboration with increase in funding for the projects. Danish shows concretely Nearlyuniversities 40,000 people have seen the interdisciplinary course ainpositive impact from our efforts. Innovation at the Technical From accessPilot to clean water, health, University ofclimate Denmark (DTU), which energy, from risk adaptation, we took for six consecutive and frompart otherinimprovements to the years. Weof see a strong livelihood those most commitment in need. from research at the were Thethe children andteam youngsters Southern University of activities Denmark well-represented in our (SDU). The the collaboration withLeone, SDU throughout year. In Sierra hashave meant that the library the we established a strongatcollatechnicalwith faculty has donated books boration a technical school for to a newly opened science school young people with disabilities and for girls inrural Sierramaternity Leone. There is In renovated clinics. great interest students Zimbabwe, we among securedthe funding for andrenovation staff in contributing to EWBthe of four schools and a DK’s meal work.for I would like to take this daily the students. opportunity to say you for that. Two hundred newthank members joined Engineers Without Borders part of in EWB-DK’s -As Denmark 2019. Ourstrategy members for the 2020-25, with the are core of interaction our organisation. It universities of Sierra through Leone has is their contributions hard beenand strengthened. We allow have given work donations that us to guest lectures at 2019 the technical do what we do. In volunteers universities 23,500 of Freetown contributed hours and of highly Kenema, 21 engineering skilled work. At the end ofstudents the year, have in constructing we hadparticipated more than 1,200 members a local water system with our In 2019 wesupply have increasingly new partner, Water4Ever, and we are focusing on knowledge sharing in the future. In addition, we have welcomed the local NGO Green Scenery, which will be part of the collaboration to collect and recycle plastic in Freetown. Our donors are noticing and recognizing our work, and in 2021,
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
EWB-DK received several donations that will be used, among other things, to build a health center in the village of Baoma in Sierra Leone. Fors A/S donated a disused waterwork to be rebuilt Sierra sought collaborations withinuniverLeone. with theWe most extensive sities andAnd businesses. share the grantand so far CISU ofofDKK vision thefrom framework the 3,9Sustainable million, weDevelopment can continue Goals our UN longstanding program (SDGs). We alsowater share sector a common in Kenema throughknowledge-base more significant access to a technical climate efforts inthe rural areas. that can improve lives of people in the developing world. The work to prevent the effects Partnerships with Danish compaof climate change way has to become a nies is a significant facilitate key efforts focus area at EWB-DK, and joint to support the SDGs a total grant of the DKKless 5,5fortunate million for the benefit will ensure the implementation around the world - the communi-in 2021-24. In addition, EWB-DK ties that never will be able to hire maintaintoits number a managed consultingtoengineer advise on of new donations andimprovements. project funds at technical livelihood almost the same level as in 2020. Thus, we secured a significant working capital for 2022 and 2023 of DKK 8,3 million. Therefore, EWBDK could maintain its high level of revenue from 2020, based on the increased project approach.
is absent. In De and strong trad involvement in and in local gov In that respect, corporate mem Vandværker va rich experience governance an pation in publi Another equ in 2019 is that w by EU to have o red when they we believe will sation with the our volunteers postings worki our partners. It the work we are to benefit from come. Within our o started a proce In conclusion, I would like to thank towards a new all our partners abroad and Danish 2025. We are gr NGOs with whom we undertake input provided projects. Together we contribute to volunteers in th meeting the global sustainable goals strategy will be for the world’s poorest, and we feel 2020. very of our joint achievements. We seeproud a strong commitment to In 2020 we h the SDGs among all our corporate ed strong supp Congratulations to EWB-DK and its teers and from members. Therefore, we are proud for reaching this far in tovolunteers welcome EKJ, ARUP, and FORS as the vate members. lastcorporate 20 years.members. new hard to establis In many of the locations, where partnerships in we are present, the main part of es we work in a our work is focused on basic public strong potentia service provision as in water and joint action bet electricity mainly because the state the specific cou
»Volunteers contributed 23,500 hours of highly skilled work«
Bent Michael Nielsen Chairman of the board
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