PEN@Hydropower Event Day 1: Hydropower Innovation, Social Acceptance, and Gender Equality

The opening day of our hydropower workshop series concluded with high energy, powerful insights, and a strong sense of collaboration across sectors. Experts from academia, industry, and public institutions came together to explore new frontiers in sustainable infrastructure—focusing on hydropower applications, energy recovery technologies, and resilient drinking water systems.

Key contributors included renowned experts Miroslav Marence, Miroslav Petrinić, and George Aggidis, who offered diverse perspectives on the evolving role of hydropower in the water-energy nexus. Their presentations underscored the value of cross-sectoral innovation in driving more integrated and resilient infrastructure systems.

One of the day’s highlights was the Thematic Workshop on Social Acceptance and Controversies in Sustainable Hydropower. Led by energy economist Prof. Ramazan Sari (Technical University of Denmark) and policy expert Marina Cerpinska, the session gathered participants from over 30 countries. The interactive workshop featured a collaborative media analysis activity exploring narratives around hydropower projects and the socio-economic dimensions of energy transitions. Outcomes from this session will feed into a joint report and lay the groundwork for a co-authored academic publication.

Another key event was the presentation of the Gender Equality Plan and the Graduation Ceremony of the First Cohort of the Women’s Mentoring Programme. Moderated by Natalia Weber, the session reflected on persistent gender gaps in the hydropower sector and highlighted how inclusive mentoring can foster innovation, diversity, and long-term sustainability. The cohort's achievements marked an important milestone in the project's commitment to gender equality and inclusive professional development.