Early Career Professionals Challenge 2025: The Briefing Event | GROUP AWARD | Rivers and Coastal Group | IN-PERSON

Hosted by the CIWEM Rivers and Coastal Group

Event description

In celebration of the CIWEM River and Coastal Group 75^th Anniversary the group are holding this new competition in 2025 and intend for it to become part of CIWEM's annual branch and group awards programme.

The Challenge Award is for early career professionals within the first three years in the water and environment sector and is designed to foster collaboration across organisations and geographies to solve a challenge in the water and environment sector.

Selected teams of four to five participants will be invited to the briefing session where the challenge and teams will be revealed and keynote speakers from across the industry will present on this year’s theme.

Following the presentations, teams’ members will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and to begin developing their ideas and approach to the challenge theme and question. They will then have eight weeks to develop and finalise their ideas about how to address this year’s challenge and present their solutions at the Judging Event in July.

The top three teams will receive awards with the winning team receiving vouchers to attend and the opportunity to present at the Rivers and Coastal Group Technical Conference 2026. Second and third placed teams will receive vouchers to the value of £50 and £30 per person respectively.

In addition, we are offering a number of other exciting prize opportunities for each member of the winning team to participate in, including a spot mentoring session with River and Coastal Group committee members and speaking opportunities at next year’s River and Coastal Group Early Career Professionals Challenge.

Too find out more about how to take part in the competition, please click on the button below which will take you to the Early Career Professional Challenge Award page.

Applications for the Challenge close on Friday 09 May 2025 at 17:00 BST.

Part of CIWEM Awards and Competitions.

Why take part

• Develop skills: enhance problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Access first class support: access to industry leaders throughout the challenge.
• Demonstrate your commitment to CIWEM: support your work towards attainment of one of the CIWEM mandatory competencies.
• Get to know the sector: gain an understanding of the perspectives and needs of other sector stakeholders.
• Develop your network: develop a personal network of industry professionals and peers across the sector.
• Gain exposure and grow your career: be in the know on trends and innovation in the sector while raising individual and organisation profiles.

About the finalists

To be announced in May 2025.

Are you a CIWEM member? Want to find out more?

Becoming a CIWEM member gives you a globally-recognised demonstration of your professionalism and technical abilities. Whether you have just started your career or are extensively experienced, we will have a membership grade that's right for you. Click below to find out more.

How to take part in the challenge

Prospective applicants should complete the electronic application form.

For full details go to the Early Career Professionals Challenge 2025 Award Page.

If you have any queries about this event please contact the Rivers & Coastal Group at rcggroup@ciwem.org.

About the venue and getting there

The event will take place at the WSP Offices at The Mailbox, Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RQ. Birmingham railway and bus stations are within easy walking distance and there are several bus routes that run near the offices for those travelling by bus.

Travelling to the venue

As part of CIWEM’s commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency we would encourage delegates to use the most environmentally sustainable means of transport possible.

By Train

Birmingham New Street station is five minutes’ walk away. Exit Birmingham New Street Station via “B” end of platform and Navigation Street or Hill Street exit.

By Bus

Closest bus stop is Navigation Street.

By foot

A short walk from Birmingham New Street. Enter through the front of The Mailbox, up the escalator to the first floor.

By car

If you are coming by car, please consider sharing the journey with others to reduce your environmental footprint. Closest car park is the Q-Park Mailbox on Royal Mail Street.

As this is an in-person event, please remain vigilant to control the spread of COVID-19 and stay safe.

We request that if you think you might have contracted COVID or have recently had the disease, that you do not attend this event.

Kindly supported by...