Annual Meeting and Members' Day 2025

Saturday 26 April, Engineers Without Borders Sweden gathered for our Annual Meeting and Members' Day in the centre of Stockholm. It was a beautiful spring day, and the lush surroundings of Zinkensdamm Hostel and Conference Centre provided a wonderful setting for the event.

We began the day by enjoying a shared lunch, creating a warm and collegial atmosphere. This was followed by our Annual Meeting, during which Chairperson Jan Burenius, Treasurer Jan Byfors, and Secretary General Caroline Edelstam presented the Annual Report, reviewing the organisation’s achievements and activities over the past year.

New member of the board
We are delighted to welcome Ellen Andréasson to the Board as our newest Board Member. Her addition brings fresh energy and insight as we continue to grow and evolve.

Report from the Secretariat
Following the formal meeting, the Secretariat shared updates on forthcoming initiatives. Secretary General Caroline Edelstam, Head of Communications Carin Balfe Arbman, and Head of International Projects Susanne Hurtig each spoke on their respective areas of work, highlighting exciting activities, communications developments, mentorship opportunities, and the progress of international projects and feasibility studies.

Launch of new national group
Board Member Pontus Bengtson also presented the launch of a new national professional group, planned for 20 May. A live poll among attendees showed strong support for this initiative, with many expressing keen interest in participating.

Student group presentations
After a short break, five local student groups – Chalmers, KTH, Linköping, Luleå, and Umeå – took the stage. Representatives shared their current projects, learnings, and future plans, offering inspiring insights into their work. We were especially pleased to welcome our newest local group from Umeå.

Special competence groups
The day concluded with presentations from the Competence Groups, who showcased both past accomplishments and upcoming endeavours. It was truly encouraging to hear about their activities and ambitions, which added to the heartening spirit of the gathering.

Thank you and all!
Secretary General Caroline Edelstam extended thanks to everyone who helped organise the day. Chairperson Jan Burenius closed the event with reflections on the early days of EWB-SWE and the advisory board, speaking about the importance of entrepreneurship in driving sustainability in engineering.

The human factor
We clearly see how valuable it is to meet in person and to have the opportunity to talk to and interact with colleagues and fellow members. This became especially clear during the mingle and dinner afterwards, where new energy, positivity, and many new ideas were sparked, further building and strengthening our network. It is a strong reminder that at the core of all our work lies the human connection – collaboration, shared experiences, and mutual support are essential to driving meaningful and sustainable change.

The Members’ Day meetup continues on Sunday April 27, with workshops for the competence groups and the local student groups, plus a strategy meeting for the Board.