Drops of the Future Workshop Series

Project period:: June 2024 - -
Implemented by:: Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, OSCE Secretariat
Fields of work:: Economic activities, Environmental activities, Gender equality, Gender in economic and environmental activities, Youth

Overview

Climate change is reshaping water, energy and food systems across Central Asia, intensifying socio-economic, and geopolitical challenges. Limited water availability and increased seasonal variability are likely to heighten tensions and lead to more complex trade-offs in water use – impacting hydroelectric power production, agriculture and food systems, industry and domestic needs.

Proactively managing these risks requires a systemic approach, fostering awareness, innovation and robust policy frameworks. Strengthening water diplomacy, enhancing risk analysis and effectively navigating trade-offs are crucial for reducing tensions and promoting socio-economic progress, particularly for young professionals in the region. A shared, unifying vision will further empower them in shaping a sustainable future.

In response, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), in partnership with the Swiss Government, has launched the “Drops of the Future Workshop Series” as part of the ExB Project “Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention – Phase III”. Spanning all Central Asian countries, this initiative addresses climate-related risks within the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, equipping young professionals with the tools to assess challenges and manage competing demands for water in a co-operative, consensus-oriented way based on continuous negotiation processes.

By integrating conceptual frameworks with practical, solution-driven strategies, the workshops have strengthened participants’ ability to navigate complex trade-offs in water, energy and food systems. The initiative builds on an ongoing co-operation with international and regional organizations, ensuring close collaboration with OSCE Field Operations and key partners to maximise impact.

What are the expected results?

The project activity aims for the following four key results:

Build capacity for young – particularly female – professionals in the water, energy and food sectors in Central Asia to better manage trade-offs in the context of water and energy security based on a systemic, cross-sectoral and intergenerational approach
Enhance the integration of young professionals’ perspectives in fora addressing water, food, energy, and climate issues

Who are the parties involved?

One success factor of this project is the promotion of public-private partnerships and the joint effort of actors with relevant experience on the topic, such as: