Lessons learned from ProAguas Young Professionals and how to inspire the next generation of leaders on water policy and regulation

By Ximena Quiroz, IWA member and Regulatory Specialist at LIS-Water

When I think about the future of the water and sanitation sector, I think about people who believe they can make a difference. That spirit was exactly what I witnessed during the first edition of ProAguas Young Professionals, an initiative organised by LIS-Water, with the support of Portugal’s Environmental Fund, Águas de Portugal, and Águas e Energia do Porto, as part of the LIS-Water Governance School.
 

For ten inspiring days split between Lisbon and Porto, 30 young professionals from Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and East Timor embarked on a journey of learning, sharing, and collaboration. They came from 16 universities and represented 12 different fields of study, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral levels. But beyond the numbers, they brought with them energy, fresh ideas, and a strong commitment to build a sustainable future for water services.
 

The programme was hands-on and highly engaging. The first week, hosted at Águas de Portugal, featured visits to key institutions including the Portuguese Regulatory Authority for Water and Waste Services (ERSAR), Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (EPAL), Águas do Tejo Atlântico, the Lisbon City Council, and Águas de Portugal itself. In Porto, the highlights ranged from the Lever Water Treatment Plant (Águas do Douro e Paiva) to the Operations Centre of Águas e Energia do Porto, and the historic Reservatório dos Congregados. At every stop, participants gained an insider’s view, exploring not only the technical dimensions but also the real-world challenges of managing complex systems that serve entire communities in Portugal.

The programme’s most thrilling moment came at the finale, when participants were tasked with designing a rehabilitation and improvement plan for a water supply system. Facing real-world challenges - tight budgets, community pushback on tariff increases, and even drought scenarios - each team rolled up their sleeves and got to work. When the time came to present, a jury from LIS-Water, Águas e Energia do Porto, and the University of Porto listened as ideas came alive. The proposals dazzled with technical rigour, inventive solutions, and the sheer confidence of their delivery, showcasing not just knowledge but the energy and potential of the next generation of water professionals.

The ProAguas Young Professionals summer school is more than a capacity-building initiative. It is an investment in the next generation of leaders in the water sector. It is a space not only for learning but also for fostering connections, building networks of trust, and igniting the motivation to transform realities.

In this sense, initiatives like ProAguas also highlight the importance of engaging young professionals with regulatory matters. Regulation is often seen as distant or highly technical, yet it is at the core of guaranteeing safe, sustainable, and fair water and sanitation services. Creating bridges with IWA’s YWP network could open new opportunities to bring fresh perspectives into regulatory discussions, while preparing a generation that understands how governance and regulation shape the future of water.

If this first edition has shown us anything, it is that young people are ready. It is now up to us - as professionals and institutions - to open doors and create opportunities so they can put their talent and passion into action. The future of water depends on them, and they are already demonstrating what they are capable of. As an IWA member and part of the LIS-Water team, I am already excited about the 2026 edition.