The Spark Organization for Innovation and Creativity (Spark Gaza) has successfully concluded a specialized series of training workshops on Smart Water Management. Funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the initiative was executed under the activities of the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab Project.
The workshops targeted a select group of engineers and technical youth, focusing on building practical capacity to address one of Gaza’s most pressing challenges: the efficient management of water resources amidst acute scarcity and damaged infrastructure.
The training delivered advanced, practical content that integrated Artificial Intelligence, control systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Participants gained hands-on knowledge in concepts such as reducing water loss, monitoring water quality, analyzing operational data, and early leak detection. The trainees worked on practical models simulating real water networks, utilizing microcontrollers and digital control panels, enabling a seamless transition from theoretical understanding to direct application and the design of locally feasible solutions.
The workshops significantly enhanced the participants’ readiness to implement low-cost, smart solutions relying on sensors, data analytics, and sustainable energy, thereby supporting data-driven decision-making in water network management. Participants confirmed that the training deepened their understanding of the link between technology and the humanitarian/environmental dimension, opening new avenues for deploying their skills in community-serving development projects.
Hiyam Al-Hayek, Executive Director of Spark Organization for Innovation and Creativity, emphasized that these workshops are “not just technical training, but an investment in people and their capacity for resilience and innovation.” She affirmed that while Spark Gaza operates under extremely difficult humanitarian conditions, “we believe that building knowledge and skills is the most sustainable path to safeguard resources, create genuine opportunities for youth, and transform technology into a developmental tool that serves Gaza today and builds a better future.”
These workshops align with Spark Gaza’s vision to promote applied innovation and link training directly to real-world needs. This ensures participants are prepared to engage in broader environmental and technological initiatives in the upcoming phase, and to further develop smart water management solutions as soon as the necessary technical and logistical capabilities become available.
