2021
annual report
20 years of volunteering in engineering
Index Chairman’s report .......................................................................
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About EWB-DK...........................................................................
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20 years of Volunteering in Engineering..............................
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Corporate Members ...................................................................
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SDG 2: Food Security.................................................................
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being ..................................
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SDG 4: Quality Education ........................................................
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation .....................................
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SDG 7: Sustainable Energy......................................................
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Environment ...
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SDG 13: Climate Action ...........................................................
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SDG 16: Strong Institutions ....................................................
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals......................................
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EWB-DK in numbers ................................................................
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Annual Accounts ........................................................................
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EWB-DK’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Building and Construction Sustainable energy Information technology Food security Waste
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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About Engineers Without Borders Engineers without Borders (EWBDK) is a technical-humanitarian organization. We base our work on highly skilled volunteers making their time, skills, and experience available. We have more than 1,400 members, of which 250 are active volunteers engaging in projects, developing international partnerships, creating sustainable solutions, and improving living conditions in some of the poorest communities in the world. EWB-DK has a small secretariat, which supports and provides a solid platform for the volunteers. Moreover, we work closely with universities and companies to share knowledge and create an-
chorage with our partners. Abroad we work with local and international development organizations to improve the living conditions of vulnerable people in developing countries, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our guiding principles. Our members and active volunteers cover many professional skills and experiences. We transform our technical expertise into relevant, sustainable, and lasting locally anchored solutions with a concrete and immediate effect. We build schools and health clinics with our partners, provide clean water and better sanitary facilities, and es-
tablish solar-based power and waste management systems. At the same time, we support the establishment of sustainable and resilient communities through capacity building and the active involvement of the local population. We believe that the world’s poor have and can develop professional skills to play a decisive role in developing their societies. Local communities supported by EWBDK and partners must identify problems and solutions by themselves, irrespective of whether the poverty is social or economic or due to other forms of marginalization. Help to self-help is at the core of our mission.
The Board Bent Michael Nielsen Chairman
Erland Stubkjær Christensen – Vice Chairman / Operational supervision
Vibeke Ackermann Treasurer
Niels Oscar Bay Jensen Safety and security
Maren Marie Egedorf Capacity building and environment
Carsten Vilhelm Koch Operational supervision/ Liaison to thematic Networks
Nanna Hong Vestergaard Engagement and motivation
20 years of Volunteering in Engineering For the past twenty years, Engineers Without Borders Denmark has provided engineering assistance and technical expertise in humanitarian crises and development projects and helped vulnerable people to a better life. New technologies are driving EWBDK forward, but human rights, social responsibility, and climate change also shape the agenda. When EWB-DK was established in 2001, the driving force was to provide technical assistance
to humanitarian organizations by making relevant engineering resources available, primarily in connection with disasters, e.g., shelters and camp management. EWB-DK established a disaster preparedness where volunteers could be sent out at short notice. During the first year, the organization gained 30 members. Over the years, the focus on disaster relief has been transformed into a focus on partner relations with long-term development projects.
Today, EWB-DK has a wide portfolio of projects within various thematic areas such as access to water and sustainable energy, ICT, and waste management, supplemented by the construction of clinics and schools. In recent years, and as part of a long-term strategic focus, the scope of countries has been reduced. In this process, EWBDK has also diversified its donor relations and now receives funding from Danish grant institutions along with donations from companies and private donors and funds.
Timeline:
2001 – Founded by three engineers in Hillerød.
2007 – Steen Frederiksen is elected as Chairman (2007-2017).
2002 – Activities are conducted from the DTU campus. 30 members the first year.
2008 – The secretariat moves to the location of Danish Engineers Association.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
2006 – Receives the first donation, a grant of DKK 250,000 from Birch & Krogboe Fonden.
2009 – Implementing the first partner project and initiating activities in Sierra Leone.
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From water pumps to data transmissions In recent years, the project portfolio was expanded to align with the global agenda on climate change. EWB-DK priorities to work holistically with its partners and projects in combining and creating synergy between our technical expertise on the circular economy, sustainable energy, and data transmissions. EWBDK mainly provides low-tech and robust solutions with a lifechanging and immediate impact; however, there is great potential in using new technology and data in development work to inform on the effects of climate change, enhance economic decision
making on local investments, and provide transparency and good governance in the local systems launched. Technological solutions cannot stand alone when it comes to creating sustainable development. Therefore, EWB-DK emphasizes a universal focus on human rights and social responsibility. Erecting a water supply system locally does not in itself make a longterm sustainable impact. Equally important is the introduction of user fees, capacity building of the population in management and maintenance, and information about the right to clean drinking water.
2010 – Engages in Haiti earthquake disaster response and disaster response after flooding in North Pakistan.
The technical part of the projects today often takes up only 20 percent of a project, while the capacity building makes up the rest and can last for several years. EWB-DK makes the resources available, but maintenance and operation must be managed locally. Therefore, knowledge sharing and education locally are crucial for sustainable projects. In addition, EWB-DK work to influence not only at the village level but also at the district and national level. In the future, EWBDK hopes to become even better at helping local people push upwards in the systems, so their rights and needs can reach the level of government and make an even more significant difference.
2011 – 10th Anniversary. First two grants from CISU supporting a WASH project in Sierra Leone and a Disaster Risk Reduction project in Pakistan. The head of the secretariat is employed. Steen Frederiksen is elected as chairman of EWB International.
2017 – In addition to WASH, Sustainable Energy, and Waste, two new thematic networks, Building & Construction and Food security, are added. Bent Michael Nielsen is elected as chairman. A new cooperation with DTU is launched with Innovation Pilot. EWB-DK gains its first EU-financed project under the EU Aid Volunteers initiative (EUAVI). 2018 - The secretariat moves to the location of The Association of Danish Engineers (IDA).
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Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
rting ion Steen
The next 20 years EWB-DK’s journey and organizational development since its establishment back in 2001 up until today is impressive and remarkable and continues to renew itself. Today, EWBDK has completed over 100 projects, has more than 1,400 members, about 250 active volunteers, and a small secretariat assisting the volunteers. EWBDK has specialized in five thematic networks, has made the sustainable development goals its benchmark, and reached a milestone in 2020 when the organization impacted over 100,000 people’s lives positively.
However, EWB-DK would not exist today if it was not for the dedicated and tremendous voluntary commitment of its active members. It is admirable how skilled professionals voluntarily spend their time changing the livelihood of the world’s poorest people and applying Danish technical know-how and sustainability as facilitators for change. Moreover, EWB-DK’s corporate members have successfully enhanced their employees’ commitment, dedication, and engagement in applying their professional skills and knowledge to benefit the world’s poorest.
2012 – An international project coordinator is employed at the secretariat. EWBDK is granted its first donation of DKK 1 million, donated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supporting a grain storage project in Kenya.
2014 –The Ebola epidemic affects the activities in Sierra Leone. A fundraiser is employed at the secretariat.
2020 – Launch of the strategy for 2020-2025: “Global Sustainable Development Goals are our benchmark”. COVID-19 hits the world but carries a record of 100,000 people who receive assistance through EWB-DK and its partners.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
EWB-DK is proud to facilitate this platform of engagement for Danish companies and their employees – together, we are stronger and have a more direct impact. Not to forget the partnerships with the local NGOs, which benefit tremendously from our corporate engagement. Together we have impacted local communities, which now have a water supply, a health clinic, and a school where their children can go to school. Therefore, there are many good reasons to celebrate the results after 20 years and continue the projects of Engineers without Borders.
2015 - Receives the CSR Partnership Prize together with SOS Children’s Villages DK, Siemens DK, and Solar Group for implementing a joint project to renovate and upgrade the children’s village in Zanzibar. Launches the first strategy, “EWB-DK strategy 2015-2020 – Building a Better Future”..
2021 – 20th Anniversary. Nominated for the CISU Initiative Award. CISU allocates the largest grant of DKK 3,9 million to the engagement in Sierra Leone on WASH and climate adaptation.
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CORPORATE MEMBERS
Our corporate members’ engagement in EWB-DK is often motivated by a desire to explore how their employees, core areas of operation, and knowledge can be applied directly to our projects. Corporate memberships provide us with unique access to stateof-the-art technical knowledge, which we can use to strengthen our technical and humanitarian activities, and benefit the world’s poorest. In recent years, the potential of considerable synergy between corporate Denmark and EWBDK’s mission has become evident and exemplified in actual project initiatives. With a closer relationship between Danish corporations and their employees on one side and local NGOs and beneficiaries on the other, we can create an even more lasting commitment and a clearer understanding of the huge contribution that can be made from a Danish corporate platform.
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During 2021 new corporate members strengthened us even further, allowing us to deliver even better results for our communities and partners. We were very pleased to welcome Søren Jensen A/S, Polytech A/S, and NNE. All the companies and their employees have actively engaged in EWB-DK’s projects. We are grateful for Polytech’s donation of DKK 350,000, sparring, and technical knowledge on a lightning protection project at a school of 900 schoolchildren in rural Uganda. This collaboration helps raise the quality and add the latest technical input to our development projects. Also, the memberships of the two engineering companies, Søren Jensen A/S and NNE, have positively impacted EWBDK’s memberships base as many employees in the two companies joined EWB-DK as members.
Moreover, NNE decided to donate DKK 200,000 to EWB-DK’s activities in 2022. In addition, 2021 was the year where EWB-DK, for the first time, worked jointly in the field with corporate representatives in scoping relevant activities to be supported by our corporate members Danish Engineering Service (DIS) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The initiative was highly successful, and it provided an opportunity to meet with our local partners in Sierra Leone and discuss technical needs for innovation and future projects. The mission has strengthened our collaboration with the two partners, who have experienced our projects up close, and EWB-DK sees great potential in involving partners in the field in the future.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
“Our membership and collaboration with EWB-DK have been an amazing experience and journey for all of us at Polytech. Our first EWB-DK project was to develop a lightning protection system for a school and church in Uganda, where there are casualties every year due to lightning. We have some of the world’s best lightning engineers who design robust lightning protection systems for wind turbines. Therefore, it was a natural step for us to join EWBDK and use our engineering expertise sustainably and responsibly.
“In NNE, we were thrilled to share with our colleagues and external network that we, in November 2021, entered a partnership with EWB-DK. What a journey it has already been. We have secured more than 30 new members and donated a significant amount to local projects in Sierra Leone. Additionally, 52 of our employees decided to donate their yearly NNE Christmas gift to a greater purpose: secure water and sanitation to establish a small health clinic in Baoma, where the villagers can seek medical attention and the women can give birth safely.
We always think of collaboration and innovation as the way forward if we want to build a sustainable future. Working with EWB-DK, we get to help and engage with local communities, collaborate with various partners across borders and cultures, share knowledge, and bring new ideas forward. We also want our employees to work in an environment where they feel inspired, empowered, and proud. And this project was one of many that had a positive impact on employee satisfaction.
entire Polytech team, I am looking forward to contributing to other EWB-DK projects in the future. “ - Mads Kirkegaard, CEO at Polytech A/S
I would like to thank our EWB-DK partners for the amazing work we have done together. With the
The influence our partnership with EWB-DK already has makes us proud and very optimistic that we, together with other donors, can make a difference for local communities around the world. We know that we cannot change the world, but by being a part of EWBDK, we can help improve the living conditions for some of the world’s poorest communities and support them to unleash their potential. In 2022, our focus will be on initiating a collaboration where we donate used IT equipment to EWB-DK. We look forward to continuing our great partnership and following the local projects as they progress.”
- Silas Egelund Volfing, Vice President of Human Resources at NNE
Thank you to our donors 200,000 DKK and above Civil Society in Development (CISU) NNE (Novo Nordisk Engineering) Ramboll Foundation Polytech A/S
Ingeniør Kaptajn Aage Nielsens Familiefond Bygma Fonden Reinholdt W. Jorck og hustrus Fond Genbrug til Syd
The Velux Foundations Rønslev ApS C7 Consulting A/S GreenSpeak EKJ Rådgivende Ingeniører AS
50,000 – 200,000 DKK Fonden af 17-12-1981 Civilingeniør H. C. Bechgaard og hustru Ella Mary Bechgaards Fond Ove Arup Foundation Marie og M.B. Richters Fond
5,000 – 50,000 DKK Foss Analytical A/S NIRAS A/S Den Faberske Fond Jubilæumsfonden af 12.08.1973 Spejdernes Genbrug
Additionally, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all private persons for their donations.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
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SDG 2: Food Security We want to eliminate hunger and malnutrition and ensure that all people, especially children and the most vulnerable, have access to adequate and nutritious food all year round. Therefore, we must promote sustainable farming practices by improving small farms’ living conditions and capacity and ensuring equal access to land, technology, and markets. EWB-
DK’s food safety projects contribute directly to SDG 2 to stop hunger, achieve food safety, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. We do so by ensuring access to a daily healthy diet for the world’s poor and particularly vulnerable and an income base to support small food producers, including safe and equal access to land.
“I became active in EWB-DK shortly after my retirement in 2015. After 40 years as a “water professional,” it was logical to join the WASH thematic group. My main engagements have been participating in the EU-AID Project and constructing a new WASH building for the Opportunity Training Centre (OTC) in Kenema. And organizing shipment of spare water supply components (including a whole waterwork) and establishing a new cooperation with the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe.
School gardens have reduced Hunger in Schools in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Due to extreme drought and cyclones, Zimbabwe has experienced increased food insecurity over the past several years. The situation escalated when the country faced a series of lockdowns due to COVID-19. Consequently, the parents became less able to provide meals for their children. Furthermore, schools were closed and only opened for a short period. To overcome this challenge, EWB-DK and the local partner CYVAT initiated an emergency relief intervention, providing school meals to pupils at four primary schools in Lupane 10
District to improve sustainable food security. In 2021 CYVAT and school parents committees have established school gardens to supply daily meals for the children, focusing on a nutritious diet and possibilities for off-season crop production through greenhouse facilities. Targeting the schools provided an efficient framework for reaching a particularly vulnerable group in the rural areas, in some of the poorest communities in the district. Partner: CYVAT Donors: DERF / CISU Impact: 862
What I find great in volunteering for EWB-DK is the overall “qualified helpfulness” with a perfect mix of highly experienced senior engineers (several retired, like myself) and young students, all highly motivated for contributing to the SDGs. I am especially impressed by the members joining on top of a full-time job. Furthermore, we manage a good association culture – where members, sometimes from competing companies, cooperate; this gives added value to all. The rewards are when well-completed projects lead to significant improvements and are gratefully appreciated by the local communities - with so many smiling faces as an indicator. This highly motivates me.” Bo Neergaard Jacobsen, Volunteer EWB-DK WASH Group
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Knowledge Exchange for Tea Farmers in Kenya and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
In the Honde Valley in Zimbabwe, smallholder farmers have experienced a drastic reduction in the price of black tea in recent years due to an increasing number of countries producing tea worldwide. In addition, the farmers often experience exploitation by the large producer, have poor contractual agreements, are no longer able to make a living on the price they receive for the tea leaves, and the standard of living is falling. During 2021 EWB DK’s team and
tea farmers from Zimbabwe made a knowledge exchange visit to smallholder tea farmers in Kenya to obtain inspiration on how to diversify the production in Zimbabwe. The farmers learned how to produce white, green, oolong, and black tea with minimal equipment, and they were further introduced to tools that could optimize their current tea harvest. In the next phase, the Kenyan practices will be implemented
“Growing up, I was always very interested in mathematics and physics. However, as I entered high school, my focus shifted. International relations, strange cultures, and human rights grabbed my attention. My choice of subjects steered in the humanitarian direction, and after high school, I volunteered with the Red Cross. This first volunteering experience confirmed that I want to help others – in one way or another. That is why I decided to study mechanical engineering, believing that this degree would enable me to contribute to the challenges we face in the world.
in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean delegation will train the other farmers to produce specialty teas, a local factory and office will be established and be available to all farmers, and the capacity building of the farmers’ organization will be a significant focus. Partner: Tumoi Teas and Pensioners Union Trust Zimbabwe (Putz) Donor: CISU and private donations Impact: 1,056
someone else, which is the most rewarding feeling in the world.” Vanja Elizabeth Wylie, Master Student at DTU; MSc Mechanical Engineering
EWB-DK enables exactly that: I can apply my knowledge (both the soft skills learned during my degree and the technical knowledge) to help those who want and need it. The experience is one of the constant challenges. I am learning about foreign cultures and problems faced elsewhere in the world as I attempt to find solutions to these problems, and I can make a difference to Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being In poor countries, sanitation challenges in health clinics, slums, and rural areas are enormous. Many health clinics do not have access to water, electricity, and protective equipment, making it difficult to fight diseases and save lives. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, EWB-DK and our partners sought to be relevant and flexible in any way possible in our interventions
abroad. We aligned all the interventions closely with the national and Global Humanitarian response plan. The involvements combined early action and lifesaving interventions and have thus supported the local health service through improved hygiene, health facilities, and secure medical service and referral combined with awareness-raising on COVID-19 as preventive measures.
Emergency Health/ WASH response in suburban Freetown Sierra Leone Since 2017, EWB-DK has been working in Freetown to establish access to clean water and climate adaptation. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, the population found themselves in a challenging situation as they had difficulty keeping their distance and had limited opportunities for good hygiene. In collaboration with our local partner World Hope International-SL, EWBDK secured access to clean water and sanitary facilities and renovated two health clinics in the slum areas of Kaningo and Pottor. 12
New drilled wells fitted with solar-driven pumps were delivered, and a nearby school is also benefitting from the new wells. In addition, 350 of the most vulnerable families obtained food items, consumables, soap, and face masks to mitigate the impact of lockdowns. At the clinics, health workers also got protection equipment. Partners: World Hope International Sierra Leone Donors: DERF / CISU and NIRÁS Impact: 4,730
“Volunteering is a proactive way to make the world a better place. At EWB-DK, I participate as a project controller in developing a new health center in the southeastern part of Sierra Leone. The project has a particular focus on women and children. In my opinion, this is a unique opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives in that region. I am happy to use my professional skills and knowledge to benefit others. My workplace does a lot to make volunteering easier for all interested employees. Finally, at EWB-DK, I have met positive and like-minded people from all over the world, making volunteer work a pleasure.” Liudmila Mikhaylova, Senior Cost Controller, TotalEnergies A/S
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Face Masks for West Africa Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone When COVID-19 hit the world, it quickly became clear that the poorest countries were in a very vulnerable situation. Therefore, a group of researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) initiated a face mask project in close collaboration with EWBDK. The cloth masks were designed by volunteers in Denmark and produced and distributed to Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau citizens. Through detailed video instructions, the local tailors could manufacture the masks. The tailors and our
partners did a fantastic job and managed to produce and distribute 75,000 face masks in both countries.
test of fabric face masks that can give essential knowledge on how to mitigate future epidemics in Africa.
The project has reached its conclusion, and health researchers from SDU are evaluating the effects of the cloth mask in terms of reducing illness and mortality in the selected populations in GuineaBissau in connection with the SDU Bandime field research station. This study is the first-ever in the world and may be the first large-scale
Partners: SDU/ Bandime Health Project and Opportunity Training Centre (OTC) Donors: Reinholdt W. Jorck og Hustrus Fond, Augustinus fonden, COWI, Novo Nordisk Foundation and Private donations Impact: 75,000
Improvement of the Waste System at the Hospital in Masanga Sierra Leone Disposing of used hospital waste has long been a major challenge at the hospital in Masanga in the central part of Sierra Leone. Therefore, EWB-DK has assisted and guided the Danish NGO Masanga DK in constructing a waste plant consisting of an incinerator station, three waste pits, and a sewerage system on the hospital compound. EWB-DK was responsible for the structural design of the waste structure, contract management with the local contractor, supervision, and quality assurance. And the collaboration with Masanga has sparked new joint projects in the hospital to further improvements of the standard and services for the benefit of the surrounding community. Partner: Masanga DK Donor: Ramboll Foundation Impact: 130 Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
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SDG 4: Quality Education EWB-DK supports the school system in developing countries by renovating existing structures, constructing new school buildings, securing sanitary facilities and accessibility, and in some cases handing out school meals. We also support the skills and management
of the schools with training and the organization of students and parents in management structures. The projects contribute directly to SDG 4 to secure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for everybody.
Capacity building of Opportunity Training Centre Sierra Leone After more than a year of COVID-19, our partner OTC and EWB-DK were finally able to initiate the community outreach and advocacy activities in Kenema district, Sierra Leone. People with disabilities experience significant discrimination in the country, but around 60 students get access to education and social resources for youth living with disabilities at the vocational school. Despite its small size, OTC has placed its mark on the national disability agenda as one of the front runners in advocacy in Sierra Leone. They keep advocating for the rights of people living with physical disabilities. In 2021 the OTC managed to hire a literacy teacher and a student counsellor. The student counsellor will play an essential role in addressing discrimination and harassment of 14
people living with disabilities and helping the students move forward. The literacy teacher will ensure that all students have proper reading and writing skills when leaving OTC. Furthermore, OTC has established a formal agreement with the local university, ensuring better collaboration between the two educational institutions. In addition, ARUP has supported the improvements of the hairdressing and catering production workshops, and EWB-DK has had an intern at OTC for five months to support the advocacy activities at the Centre. Partner: Opportunity Training Centre (OTC) Donors: CISU, ARUP & partners, and private donations Impact: 110
Internship in EWB-DK
“Working across cultures and in the humanitarian sector has always caught my attention, so hearing about the internship with EWB-DK, it felt natural to apply for it. I have been a part of EWB-DK for some time now, and since the beginning, I have been interested in working abroad with them. During my internship, I was based in Kenema in Sierra Leone. I worked with some great teams - both in Denmark and in Sierra Leone, and it went very well. Based on the first three months, I was eager to learn more, and I ended up extending my stay to five months which I was very pleased with. Knowledge is power, and the ability to learn and share it through countries and cultures has been an incredible experience. It was very educational, and it taught me the value of communication and mutual understanding. This internship was a great way for me to begin exploring how the humanitarian sector works internationally and has motivated me to do more. I would recommend that anyone interested in working with EWB-DK try it out. It is rewarding on numerous levels, and the knowledge you acquire throughout your stay is useful and unlimited!” Daniela Dasic, studying architectural engineering at DTU
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Learning Boards improve school children’s Education Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, the school infrastructure is a challenge in many areas. The classrooms are not sufficiently equipped with furniture, and often the teaching situation occurs on the ground. To address the challenge, EWB-DK has initiated the production of a small transportable and multipurpose lap desk, designed in cooperation with the Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA).
Four hundred lap desks have been produced in Harare for pupils in public schools in Lupane District. A cover is printed on each side of the board with symbols such as simple mathematical signs, geometric shapes, the small table, the alphabet, local geographics, etc. The learning boards should give the best settings for the pupils at school and when they do homework during the evenings.
By the end of 2021, the local partner CYVAT handed out the lap desks to pupils from 3. to 7. grades in three schools. The user experiences of the lap desks will be collected in the first quarter of 2022. Partners: CYVAT and UAC Donors: Soroptimister and private donations Impact: 400
Construction of a new School in a coastal community in Ghana Ghana
In a partnership with the Danish NGO ‘100% for the Children’, EWB-DK is providing technical supervision and guidance in constructing a new primary school to accommodate 100 children from the small fishing village Pebi on the coast of Ghana. Most families live below the poverty line, and the parents cannot afford to pay school fees. With the construction of the
new school, their children will have improved access to education. As the village is located close to the coast, the focus is on constructing durable building structures and electrical installations that can withstand the humid climate and avoid floods. And there is a strong focus on using local labor in the construction process. When the
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
new school building is finished, it will be handed over to the community and the state, which will provide and pay the salaries for the teachers and be responsible for ensuring the running and maintenance costs of the school. Partner: 100 % for the Children Donor: Ramboll Foundation Impact: 600 15
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental human right. At the same time, the management and distribution of water resources are crucial for economic development, the fight against poverty, and gender equality. EWB-DK’s WASH projects provide access to clean water and orderly sanitary conditions for the
world’s poor. Disease control is a central theme, including health education and health committees to maintain information on the importance of good hygiene for the local population. With these measures, the projects contribute directly to SDG 6 to ensure that everyone has access to water and sanitation sustainably.
Danish Water Plant to be rebuilt in Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
Water kiosks improve access to Water in Freetown Freetown, Sierra Leone
As a part of the collaboration with the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (S.L.I.E.) (read more on page 24), EWB-DK and the Association of Nordic Engineers (ANE) have facilitated that 21 young engineering students from Fourah Bay University in Freetown participated. They have been involved in building a water kiosk in Grafton, a former refugee camp outside Freetown. The aim was to provide the students with firsthand knowledge on implementing sustainable community water supply projects in a holistic and participatory approach. With their great expertise and understanding of the area, the
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local NGO Water4Ever managed to supervise the students and worked closely together in different workshops to construct a new water kiosk to provide the urban community with safe and clean drinking water. The construction of the water supply system took place in the spring of 2021, and in August, the kiosks had their official inauguration. Partners: Water4Ever in collaboration with World Hope International SL and Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (S.L.I.E) Donors: Ramboll Foundation Impact: 5,000
During 2021 EWB-DK was approached by corporate member Fors A/S to explore the possibility of donating a well-functioning but decommissioned small Danish water plant to EWB-DK’s projects within water in the developing world. EWB-DK’s engineers ascended the system and deemed it relevant. When dismantling the plant and packing it for the journey, it was carefully marked so that it could be assembled 1:1. Backed by a donation from Genbrug til Syd and in collaboration with employees from Fors A/S, EWB-DK, and Ramboll, the water plant has now been shipped by container to Sierra Leone. The plant is to serve in a relevant community in Sierra Leone, and the focus is particularly on vulnerable populations (i.e., the poor, children, and women). The project is in line with EWB-DK’s longstanding engagement in the country on securing access to safe water. Scoping with local partner Water4Ever about the ideal site for rebuilding the plant is planned for the second quarter of 2022. Partners: World Hope International SL and Water4Ever Donors: Genbrug til Syd, Fors A/S, Herning Vand, Geo, Gundsømagle Water Works, SDU, Region Hovedstaden and Ramboll Foundation
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Solar-driven Water supply improves access to water Uganda
The Yumbe district in the northeastern part of Uganda houses one of the world’s largest refugee camps, with refugees from the Congo and South Sudan. In the refugee camp, good water supplies have been provided by international donors. At the same time, the local population is strongly challenged to provide
clean water, which is very severe in the dry season. To accommodate the need for access to clean water EWB-DK has provided technical support in designing a water supply project, which now provides safe water for the households, schools, and the community mosque. The system is fully automatic and requires
little maintenance from the beneficiaries. The sanitation and hygiene in the community are highly improved, and the community no longer has to fetch water in the nearby swamp. Partner: Twegatta Aid and Care4Others Donor: Private donations Impact: 2,000
Improving Health facilities on Tumbatu Island Zanzibar, Tanzania
EWB-DK support SOS Children’s Villages to improve the conditions for disadvantaged children on the island of Tumbatu in the Zanzibar archipelago. The purpose is to ensure storage facilities for drinking water, especially for children, in case of a lack of water supply from the main island of Unguja and to improve hygienic facilities in schools. On the island, there are approximately 15,000 inhabitants,
mainly fishermen with very low incomes. SOS Children’s Villages found that many children from this island are transferred to the children’s village on the main island and therefore want to improve their conditions. In autumn 2021, EWB-DK met with the Tumbatu officials, headteachers, and representatives of the national water supply company to decide on future responsibilities for the operation, maintenance, and
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
involvement of the local population in establishing ten new water towers and new latrines. Including technical training of local plumbers to maintain the installations in the future. The construction work has been delayed due to COVID-19 but is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. Partner: SOS Children’s Villages Zanzibar Donor: Ramboll Foundation Impact: 2,000 17
Empowering the Citizens through Digital Democracy Kenema, Sierra Leone To strengthen the transparency of the data from the service providers in Sierra Leone, EWB-DK has developed a solution that gathers data from water towers regarding their operation and operating condition and transmits it via satellite or telecommunications network to a central repository. A universally accessible web interface makes this data publicly available. By early September 2021, EWB-DK installed prototypes on multiple towers, and data was successfully collected and transmitted. Functional verification
has been ongoing, and a critical mass of data accumulated. A prototype website has been created and is available with data from the water towers (see the link below). EWB-DK will develop a plan for scaling the prototype and engaging the various stakeholders in the local communities to use the platform to their advantage. At the same time, the web interface continues to evolve through user testing and feedback iterations. In 2022 and beyond, EWB-DK and partners in Kenema
will be looking into how to scale the operations to include more water supply systems around the country and to have the data made available on a national level. Get an insight into the data transmissions from the water towers here: ewb-monitor.org/sl/water/ Partner: SEND-SL and World Hope International SL Donor: Various small donations Impact: 30,000
13 years of WASH in communities in Kenema District Sierra Leone
Since EWB-DK started implementing projects in Sierra Leone in 2009, the focus has been on improving access to clean water in vulnerable rural communities. It began with five villages in the Kenema District in the eastern part of Sierra Leone, and now we have reached 27 communities and provided 23,000 people with clean water. The efforts have created significant changes, i.e., by introducing user fees for water and teaching the population about hygiene, sanitation, and maintenance of the water pumps and
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towers. Furthermore, they established a WASH committee focusing on getting the WASH agenda at the national level and strengthening the district plan. The holistic approach targeting organization development and community capacity building has proven to be an important platform – not only to mobilize around water but also for a wider development agenda. The communities have also become significantly stronger in their bargaining power towards the regional authorities concerning the need for infrastructure around water.
With a new grant from CISU, EWB-DK and our two partners, WHI-SL and SEND-SL, will combine the focus on WASH with the climate action agenda as water is the central risk factor for rural areas of Sierra Leone. In total, the initiative will cover 50 communities in the district. And build regional capacity on climate action to feed into the national process on resilience. Partners: SEND-SL Donors: CISU, BDO, SFT Fond, and Ramboll Foundation Impact: 23,000
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
SDG 7: Sustainable Energy Universal access to energy, increased energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy is essential to create sustainable and inclusive societies, economic development, and resilience to environmental challenges such as climate change. EWB-DK’s sustainable energy projects contribute to solutions that ensure a stable electricity
supply to small communities and contribute to the development of local communities. In recent years, EWB-DK has carried out projects in Palestine, Sierra Leone, and several other African countries to establish solar energy systems. The systems are either used in schools, health clinics, or for charging mobile phones as a business model.
Evaluation of mobile charging community income generation in Sierra Leone
Kenema, Sierra Leone
Lightning Protection gives pupils a safe Education Uganda Uganda has a high concentration of thunderstorms with lightning discharges, and people living in rural areas are particularly exposed to lightning hazards. There is an immediate need for lightning protection at school buildings to protect the students and teachers, among others at the Mongoyo Primary School in north-western Uganda, where currently 900 pupils attend. In recent years, the school has had several accidents caused by lightning strikes in which several pupils have died or were injured. In close collaboration with the African Centres for Lightning and Electromagnetics Network (ACLENet), EWB-DK has successfully designed and installed a Lightning Protection System (LPS) on the six classroom buildings. The buildings are now protected with a
system comprising lightning rods on the roof, down conductors on the ceilings and walls, and earth ring electrodes surrounding each building. Some of the buildings are thatched-roofed, and they require special isolated protection consisting of tall lightning masts. Furthermore, the parents, pupils, and staff have been educated in safety to understand the capabilities of the LPS and to enable them to maintain the system. In the next phase, EWB-DK will install an LPS for the teachers’ inhabitation area and the nearby church to include a total of 11 buildings. Finally, a lightning mast will be installed to complete the project. Partners: ACLENet Donors: Polytech Impact: 1,000
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Access to energy and communication are essential in rural development and income generation. In collaboration with the local partner SEND-SL, EWB-DK has therefore evaluated a former project with five community-driven mobile solar charging systems. In 2021, two engineers with electrical backgrounds from EWB-DK went to Sierra Leone to evaluate and follow up on the pilot project. The mission contained an experience-sharing workshop with local stakeholders, site visits including technical evaluations of the five systems, and sparring with the local partner on how to create future business plans. The mission provided learnings for technical updates of current systems and future upgrades. It also proved a solid basis to keep on conducting solar-powered income generation projects focusing on community drive. As a result, a foundation for a project on community-driven business hubs has been created, and initiatives will continue. Partner: EWB-SL and SEND-SL Donors: CISU and Private donations Impact: 3,750 19
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production The volume of waste in developing countries is increasing, especially the amount of plastic waste. At the same time, many smaller communities lack a strategy for dealing with waste, which is often landfilled by chance, so that children and
livestock have free access to it. This can have fatal consequences in diseases transmitted from the waste or livestock dying. At the same time, the amount of plastic in the oceans and large landfills has grown significantly globally and has now reached a problematic
level. EWB-DK’s waste projects aim to develop local waste management to significantly improve the local population’s health and quality of life. The projects contribute directly to SDG 12 to ensure sustainable consumption and production methods.
Community-driven Waste Management in Togo Togo
In close collaboration with the local NGO ADSA, EWB-DK has developed and implemented a communitydriven solid waste management system in Kétao in the northern part of Togo. The project has successfully raised the awareness of waste management, and the town has been cleaned in joint community action several times. Now 200 households have their waste collected and dumped at the new community
“In spring 2021, I did my bachelor thesis in collaboration with EWBDK. When my bachelor group and I reached out to EWB-DK about a potential collaboration, they met us with open arms, and we quickly got the opportunity to be a part of the Precious Plastic Project. “The open arms” is exactly what I think is one of EWB-DK’s great forces. The organization brings together many different types of volunteers. All with the same goal – to make everyday life easier for people in low-income countries. 20
dump safely constructed and managed outside the city. The project has been highly successful, and more than 1,500 households have applied for being connected to the activities. EWBDK and the partner are working to develop a second phase. The citizens of Kétao have shown a great interest in the project. They have actively engaged themselves in public
The diversity of the volunteers has given me the opportunity to spare with people who have worked professionally as engineers for many years and have given me new tools and input for future projects. EWB-DK is not just about developing solutions for those who need them the most but also about learning and developing my own skills. Even if you are not an engineer, you might have other valuable competencies that are needed for the project to become a success.”
awareness-raising activities – and the town is now visibly cleaner than before. Partner: Association pour le Développement Social (ADSA) Donors: CISU, Reinholdt W. Jorck, Spejdernes Genbrug, Torben and Alice Frimodts Foundation, Recycling for Development and The Velux Foundation Impact: 22,000
Emil Lykke, graduate student, Design & Innovation at DTU
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Cleaning up the Lagoon in Freetown Sierra Leone
The leakage of plastic waste into the ocean in front of Freetown, Sierra Leone, is a huge problem for the capital. Therefore, the new local partner Green Scenery and EWB-DK want to establish a sustainable and locally-led value-chain, which can collect, sort, and in the end, upcycle the waste into useful and marketcompetitive products.
the plastic waste from flowing into the ocean and the buy-in from stakeholders in establishing a value chain around its collection and utilization. Furthermore, the project was selected to be included in Ocean Plastic Forum’s funded initiative “Next Step,” funded by the Confederation of Danish Industry to address marine plastic pollution.
During 2021, EWB-DK conducted a study to assess the feasibility of installing a floating barrier to stop
From the study and mission to Freetown, a clear need and buy-in from the local communities, industry, and
public authorities was established to create a value chain for plastic waste collection. Moreover, a location was selected for the future installation of the barrier based on the impact of plastic leakage averted and the acceptance of the community. The implementation is scheduled for 2022. Partner: Green Scenery Donors: CISU, FOSS, Spejdernes Genbrug and Private donations Impact: 3,000
Precious Plastic Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, there is no wellfunctioning waste disposal system. Therefore, the waste accumulates in illegal landfills, and when the rain falls, the plastic seeps with the water through streets and canals into the Atlantic Ocean. Together with local partner Skill Pool, EWB-DK launched a local initiative to identify the possibility of recycling plastic and identification of market potentials. During a workshop, Skill Pool and EWB-DK applied a simple shredder and oven to demonstrate how to recycle plastic. The workshop created awareness of how communities with these simple operations can turn plastic waste into products and make a local business. The workshop enrolled 25 volunteers who dived into the value chain of plastic recycling. Five small chairs
were made during the workshop. Skill Pool continued to use the equipment from EWB-DK and made ten more chairs from collected waste plastic. The intervention has given Skill Poll the confidence to initiate businesses, engage their communities, learn new concepts and work with other NGOs across borders.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Partner: Skill Poll (SP) and F.K. Brandt Donors: CISU, Spejdernes Genbrug, Civilingeniør H.C. Bechgaard and hustru Ella Mary Bechgaard’s Fond, Marie M.B. Richter’s Fond and Private donations Impact: 50 21
SDG 13: Climate Action Active citizenship is a crucial element of EWB-DK’s resilience and climate action approach. The state is responsible for fulfilling the fundamental social rights of its citizens in the form of a national service obligation. However, in many communities, the state does not have the resource to engage in mitigation efforts, and we seek with local partners to build resilience and action from below. EWB-DK’s partnerships and projects support
civil society’s resilience and develop local solutions that create new and innovative models for climate action in synergy with regional and national development plans. The projects contribute directly to SDG 13 – to strengthen local resilience and adaptability to climate-related risks and natural disasters by improving skills, knowledge, and the human and institutional capacity to counteract, adapt, limit damage, and secure early warning of climate change.
Internship in EWB-DK
Anna and Rikke with SEND-SL Project Manager Bintu Sia Gborie. “As an integrated part of our studies, we are encouraged to participate in a project-oriented internship in the third semester of our master’s studies, which we did at EWB-DK in the fall semester of 2021.
Enhancing Climate Resilience in rural Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
In close collaboration with the partner SEND-SL, EWB-DK wants to continue previous WASH initiatives by reaching out to more villages with water adaptation and climate resilience initiatives. Therefore, the local impacts of climate change on WASH have been explored in ten targeted communities. The initiative includes implementing low-cost, robust adaptation measures to enhance climate resilience in the involved rural communities, sharing knowledge of adaptation and mitigation measures, and building local capacity. SEND-SL and EWB-DK have designed a participatory Climate Risk Assessment methodology, which has been pilot tested in two communities and subsequently applied in ten involved communities. Based on the data, 22
the partnership performed a climate risk assessment of ten communities. The assessments show that windstorms followed by erosion, floods, wildfires, drought, deforestation, and landslides impact the communities in various ways and degrees. Furthermore, the toilet facilities, followed by handpumps and then waste dump sites, are the top three WASH facilities exposed to climate change hazards and aggravating activities such as flooding in the communities. Together with the local community members, the findings will form the basis of what adaptation measures should be implemented in the communities in the coming years. Partner: SEND-SL Doner: CISU Impact: 5,000
At EWB-DK, we aligned our common interests and different professional forces on a climate change adaptation initiative in Kenema, Sierra Leone. During our internship, we got the task jointly with the local partner to design a data collection method to conduct participatory climate risk assessments in ten rural communities. The internship included six weeks of a field study where we tested and finalized the method before collecting data in the involved communities. During our stay, we had the pleasure of working closely together with our local partner SEND-SL. We were blown away by the beauty of the country, the friendly people, and the amazing and hard-working staff of SENDSL.” Anna Hammelboe Kraglund, Environmental Planning student, Roskilde University (RUC), and Rikke Kristiansen Sustainable Cities student, Aalborg University in Copenhagen.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Masterclass on Poverty and Climate Change Denmark
Together with Architects Without Borders, Danish International Settlement Service (DIB) , and Emergency Architecture & Human Rights (EAHR), EWB-DK organized a masterclass with support from Global Focus. The involved organizations all work with infrastructure, buildings, poverty reduction, and climate change and have significant overlaps in their activities, but still enough dissimilarities to provide mutual inspiration. During 2020-21 the participants investigated the link between local context, poverty, and climate
adaptation, how to promote skills to create change, and how to assess and develop technical solutions suited for the local context where they operate. Twenty-five students participated in the masterclass, including two online students from Jordan, four online students from Sierra Leone, with lecturers from Copenhagen University, Southern University of Denmark, and experts from Denmark and abroad. Through the Masterclass course, EWBDK gained an increased focus on
participant-oriented methods and got the opportunity to develop new initiatives within climate adaptation in collaboration with the local partner in Sierra Leone WHI SL, who participated online. Read more about the masterclass here: iug.dk/masterclass-onpoverty-and-climate-change Partners: Architects Without Borders, DIB and EAHR Donor: Globalt Fokus Impact: 31
Climate Resilience and cooled communities in Sierra Leone Freetown, Sierra Leone
For the past years, EWB-DK has been involved in climate change adaptation activities in the suburban area of Freetown, Sierra Leone. By implementing communitydriven participatory activities and interventions, community resilience ambassadors raise awareness and lead the change. EWB-DK has continued to raise funds to expand the focus – tackling the impacts of climate change from a more holistic perspective. Building upon previous activities and interventions addressing flooding from extreme rains, the project aims to address the challenges associated
with urban heat. Heat is a silent killer and has a major impact on our physical and mental well-being. Community members have therefore planted fruit trees, established tree nurseries, created urban vertical gardens on household levels, and painted lightcolored roofing on local schools to improve the livelihood opportunities of the communities.
Partners: World Hope International SL (WHI-SL) and Skill Pool (SP) Donors: CISU, Ramboll Foundation, and private donations Impact: 812
In the future, we will continue to work on promoting climate resilience to strengthen the community organization and structures and work intensively with partner capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
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SDG 16: Strong Institutions Building strong local institutions and partnerships is fundamental to all EWB-DK’s projects. In its local work, EWBDK focuses on strengthening transparency and civil society’s involvement in providing public services under SDG 16 and strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development under SDG
17 through partnerships. We have a special focus on local mobilization and capacity building, the integration of private sector and educational institutions, and the development of methods and innovation across the technical and humanitarian efforts, including strengthening active citizenship, which is part of all projects.
“With the growing severity of plastic pollution in our oceans, I decided that I could not just stand by and expect someone else to act. At the same time, solving this complex issue is not a one-person job – to truly make an impact, you need a team of like-minded and dedicated people and strong partnerships.”
CHS board game upgrades Organizations to improve Interventions Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Denmark Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) has become an internationally recognized standard and moral guide on conducting humanitarian and development initiatives. It ensures that aid is delivered impartially, neutrally, independently, and on the grounds of humanity. With the ambition to strengthen the platform and operation of our volunteers’ project engagement, EWB-DK, EAHR, DIB, and Architects Without Borders have developed a learning game around CHS. The approach is not heavy on lectures and uses theatre, gaming, and dilemma-based dialogue to further the understanding of CHS. The approach has been used both in DK and with partners abroad. The discussions among participants, 24
helped by the facilitator, will explore best practices of humanitarian and development aid interventions. The goal is that the discussions and learnings will guide their interventions and responses to dilemmas in the future. Furthermore, EWB-DK has prepared various sessions within the commitments, which should equip organizations in the North and South to integrate and use the obligations.
By volunteering at EWB-DK, I have found a platform of passionate volunteers and mentors for project sparring, inspiration, and friendships. I can now apply and develop my skills to make a tangible difference and find new opportunities for impact. Furthermore, EWB-DK’s focus on local partnership engagement and co-creation has proved invaluable for ensuring success with a project and designing it for long-term impact – and building friendships with our local project partners.
Read more about the CHS tools and download the board game: iug.dk/en/ chs-tools
“Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something to make a difference” – Sylvia Earle
Partners: Copenhagen University, EA&HR, Think Green Zambia and SEND-SL Donors: CISU Impact: 50
Charlotte Bjørn Hansen, Senior Consultant at The Footprint Firm & Member of Sustainable Change Makers
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Collaboration with the Association of Engineers in Sierra Leone Sierra Leone EWB-DK and the Association of Nordic Engineers (ANE) collaborate with the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (S.L.I.E) to expand the institution’s capacity to become a relevant and influential voice in the national agenda on implementing the SDGs. Therefore, a team of project employees and a project manager have been employed at S.L.I.E to advocate for engineers’ role in sustainable development, raise awareness of S.L.I.E, and increase the number of members. Related to three outreach seminars for members, potential members, and stakeholders have
been conducted in three regions to raise awareness. Furthermore, one Master Class lecture was held for S.L.I.E members and young engineering students from Freetown University, where professors from the Southern University of Denmark gave a lecture about how Sierra Leone can prepare for sustainable product development. As a part of the project, we have also initiated a pilot project where local engineering students have been involved in building water kiosks in the suburb of Freetown (read more on page 16).
Partner: Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (S.L.I.E) Donors: Association of Nordic Engineers (ANE), CISU, and private donations Impact: 200
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Strengthening the voluntary Engagement
In recent years EWB-DK has experienced an overwhelming interest in joining the organization and contributing to our work. While this is truly great, it has also shown to be a significant task to welcome new volunteers – a task that requires a lot from both volunteers and the secretariat. Based on a grant from CISU, we are working on how we attract and onboard new volunteers by strengthening our communication channels. Furthermore, we have a strategic goal to increase the number of volunteers and make the value of volunteers’ humanitarian work visible to new target groups. To this end, we
have engaged in numerous corporate dialogues and visits during 2021, and representatives from two of our partners, DIS and the University of Southern Denmark, participated in a mission to Sierra Leone. This experience allowed meeting our local partners and discussing how EWBDK can involve Danish companies and educational institutions in future initiatives with direct benefit for the local NGOs and beneficiaries. The mission underlined the strong potential for university students to engage directly in EWB DK’s technical, humanitarian platform and use it as a basis for the student assignments. The SDU
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
representative also engaged in dialogues with local universities and is now seeking to develop further initiatives on joint innovation projects and transfer of knowledge in the frame of the SDGs. One of the main products of the mission is a “Project Bank” from where students in the future can harvest inspiration and information to work within their study with the global SDG development agenda. Visit the Project Bank here: iug.dk/en/project-bank Partners: DTU and SDU Donors: CISU & Private donations Impact: 5,000 25
EWB-DK 2021 in Numbers
26,800
hours volunteered
members
78,000 100
250 active
volunteers
431
DAYS on mission
in local communities
8,3 mil DKK donations
100
6,1 mil DKK
project expenses
26
Illustrations: www.freevector.com and EWB-DK
1,425
ion SDG 4
alth SDG 6 DG 12
ment SDG 16
alth SDG 6
Annual accounts Annual accounts
DG 12
alth SDG 6
Investment into SDGs Investment on SDGs January 1 - December 31
OPERATING STATEMENT
ment SDG 16
Water, Sanitation & Health SDG 6 REVENUES (19%)
G7
Income
18%
alth SDG 6 DG 12
Sustainable Energy SDG 7 Prepaid donations, (9%)
19%
23%
1.149.634 544.374 726.485 544.132 278.151 293.910 1.348.722 1.104.850 5.990.258
Total revenues EXPENSES Direct Food Securityproject SDG 2 (5%)expenses Indirect project expenses Environment/ Waste SDG 12 Other activities (5%) Management and general expenses Capacity Building/ Education Total expenses SDG 4. (23%) Climate action SDG 13. (18%) Earnings before interest Interest expenses ANNUAL RESULT Health SDG 3 (9%)
12% 5% 5%
9%
ent into SDGs Water, Sanitation & Health SDG 6 (19%) Sustainable Energy SDG 7 (9%)
BALANCE SHEET December 31 Assets Other receivables and prepayments Grant receivable Bank account Current assets Total assets
Organizational Development SDG 16. (12%)
%
Health SDG 3 (9%) Food Security SDG 2 (5%)
Liabilities Equity Tied reserves for projects Non - current liabilities Current liabilities Total equity and liabilities
Environment/ Waste SDG 12 (5%) Capacity Building/ Education2021 figur SDG 4. (23%) 100% 66% 34% 27% 3% 0% 3%
Illustrations: www.freevector.com and EWB-DK
Climate action SDG 13. (18%)
Revenues including volunteer activities Value of volunteers activities Revenues Project expenses Communication and fundraising Other Administration
8,928 6,952 -8,288 7,592
7,991 7,159 -6,952 8,198
5,399 688 747 580 7,414 178 54 232
6,190 676 378 753 7,997 201 -76 125
2021 2020 (DKK 1,000) (DKK 1,000) 40 7,572 2,143 9,755 9,755
163 2,538 5,701 8,402 8,402
1,106 8,288 0 361 9,755
874 6,952 0 576 8,402
Revenues including value of volunteer activities 22,6 mDKK
How we spend our revenue
000 kr. 000 kr.
2020 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr.
100% 44% 56% 47% 2% 0% 5%
beginning of the year end of the year
Prepaid donations/grants, Organizational Development SDG 16. (12%)
9%
ion SDG 4
2020 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr. 000 kr.
2021 2020 (DKK 1,000) (DKK 1,000)
9 5 8 3
Value of volunteers activities 15 mDKK
Other Administration Communication andaccounts fundraising Administration for 8% of expenses our Project revenue in 2021 (9% in 2020). Value of volunteers activities
However, if we include the estimated* value of volunteer activities from project Andel af revenue groups and volunteers on mission, the 2021 2000 administration at 3% in 2021 (5% in 66% Value of volunteersis activities 2020). 80% 9% 1% 8% 2% 100%
27% Project expenses 3% Communication and fundraising *Estimate 0% Other based on survey amongst volunteers and average hourly fee including overhead based 3% Administration 1% DANIDA Andet (tilføjet for at nå 100%) on standards. 100%
Revenues 7,6 mDKK
How we spend the fiscal revenue: Project expenses 6,1 mDKK Other 96 tDKK
y
Annual Report 2021 Engineers Without Borders – Denmark
Communication and fundraising 651 tDKK 8%
3%
Administration 580 tDKK
27
Engineers Without Borders - Denmark Kalvebod Brygge 31, 1560 Copenhagen V +45 7027 4006 info@iug.dk www.iug.dk Engineers Without –Borders - Denmark Kalvebod Brygge 31, 1560 Copenhagen V +45 7027 4006 info@iug.dk – www.iug.dk
Trykt af Stenby Tryk A/S - på klimakompenseret, PEFC og FSC godkendt papir der støtter Plan Vivo.
BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW
