About EWB-SWE: Engineering a Sustainable Future
Uniting people through humanitarian engineering to forge a sustainable tomorrow.
Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) champions the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by tackling pivotal issues from Sweden to the world. Our focus areas include education, gender equality, energy access, and clean water—aiming for lasting change. As a volunteer-led NGO, we leverage expertise from both industry and academia to address global inequalities. We're not just about engineering solutions; we're about engineering change.
We believe in a universal right to a better standard of living. Our inclusive and collaborative approach empowers local initiatives and absorbs valuable cultural insights. We're not just implementing projects; we're cultivating relationships for a more equitable, sustainable world.
Join us in shaping the future we all deserve.
Our Values
CURIOSITY
We're relentless learners, always open to fresh perspectives and insights.
We actively seek to understand our societal impact—both as an organization and as individuals.
Lifelong learning fuels our mission.
EQUALITY
We advocate for universal safety and the right to fulfill one's potential.
We trust in the inherent good and growth intent in people.
INCLUSIVITY
Our diversity is our strength, enriching our collective wisdom.
Exceptional outcomes stem from locally-driven, collaborative efforts.
SUSTAINABILITY
Our focus is on enduring, sustainable impact.
We prize our expertise and are eager to share our wealth of knowledge.
Mistakes are our learning curve; we acknowledge, correct, and grow from them.
Our History
The Spark (2007)
Imagine a handful of students and a visionary retiree on a lawn outside Chalmers, Gothenburg's tech university. They dreamt big and launched the organisation “Ingenjörer utan gränser” that later was to become Engineers Without Borders Sweden. From day one, we hosted thought-provoking seminars and backed international initiatives. The buzz grew, and so did we. By our fifth year, we had 100 members and three active local chapters, along with four ongoing international projects.
Rapid Growth (2014)
Fast forward to 2014: Our membership exploded to 600, international projects surged to 15, and we welcomed five new local chapters. That's not all; we started securing major partnerships and even set up our own office. This was also when we launched Engineer to Engineer—our program connecting companies with engineers new to Sweden—and kicked off OpenHack, a 48-hour hackathon addressing humanitarian challenges.
A Decade In (2017)
A decade later, our numbers are even more impressive. We're over 1,000 strong, spread across 10 local chapters and running 20 intricate international projects. Our outreach has diversified into inspiring the next generation of engineers, aiding technical education, and hosting platforms for global engineering discussions.
We help newly-arrived engineers in Sweden integrate into the workforce and have expanded the reach and impact of OpenHack. And guess what? We've got exciting things up ahead!
Engineers Without Borders – A Global Movement
The Many Faces of EWB
Engineers Without Borders is not just a Swedish endeavor; it's a global movement. With varying sizes and structures, EWB organizations around the world range from full-fledged operations with salaried staff to modest student-led initiatives.
Our Global Partnerships
As an integral part of this network, EWB Sweden is committed to cross-border collaborations. We maintain regular dialogues with our Scandinavian counterparts and have successfully executed projects in partnership with EWB Germany.
Spreading Knowledge
We also support the dissemination of the "Journal of Humanitarian Engineering," published by EWB Australia, even serving on its Editorial Advisory Board.
Looking Ahead
Our commitment is global, rooted in a relentless pursuit to share knowledge and collaborate with international peers for sustainable and humanitarian impact.
Meet the Board
Steering the Vision
Our board is the backbone of EWB SWE, shaping our actions and connecting our diverse initiatives. It's their role to strategize, guide local chapters, and make operational decisions that reflect the collective voice of our members.
The Election Process
Every year, our members gather at the annual meeting to elect a new board for the upcoming year. Any member can nominate themselves or another, with the election committee presenting a shortlist after careful evaluation. While the committee's recommendations hold weight, the floor remains open for last-minute candidates. Voting then takes place at the member meeting, ensuring a democratically elected board that's empowered by its community.
Keeping the Dialogue Open
The board meets about once a month, either virtually or in person, to assess progress and plan next steps. In between these meetings, board members liaise with local chapters and focus groups, often taking the lead on specific projects or functional areas.
Inclusion and Diversity
We strive for a board as diverse and dynamic as the problems we aim to solve. While experience and prior engagement with EWB SWE are valued, what truly matters is a candidate's commitment, values, and vision for expanding our impact.
