The spirit of HELPING collaboration and innovation is in full swing and we are excited to share the milestones from the first year of the decade, where our global community is coming together to make a meaningful impact to understand and handle the water crisis of the Anthropocene.

The journey ahead for the HELPING Working Groups promises excitement, growth, and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Currently there are 26 Working Groups attracting from 8 up to 136 people in each (median value is 56 participants). We invite all of you to be part of this incredible adventure. You can join an existing Working Group and contribute to the collective efforts. Together, we will redefine what's achievable and set new standards for success. Stay tuned for updates, announcements, and upcoming events. With joint efforts we can make a difference as a community, and we're excited to have you on board.

Fostering Connections and Synergies

In the spirit of inclusivity and knowledge exchange, two webinars were held on November 2023. The first of which was held on 2^nd November, in which 220 people participated. And the second webinar was held on 9^th November in which 125 people participated. These sessions brought Working Group leaders together to present their ideas and engage with participants who've signed up. Additionally, breakout discussions allowed Working Groups to dive into their tasks and explore potential collaborations. Some Working Groups decided to merge, and others found new homes within different themes, strengthening our connections and synergy. You are invited to view the presentations from each Working Group here.

Webinar 2^nd November 2023

Webinar 9^th November 2023

Unveiling the HELPING Emblem of Unity

In an open call that ignited creativity worldwide, we invited the community to craft an emblem that would symbolise our shared commitment to HELPING. A remarkable total of 14 inspiring logos were submitted for consideration. The moment of decision arrived during the IUGG/IAHS General Assembly in Berlin in July 2023 when attendees raised their hands to cast their votes.

The winning design, masterfully created by Judith Boekee from Delft University of Technology, features a globe cradled by hands from across the planet. It's a powerful representation of our global unity and mutual assistance. The red shape within the emblem is a nod to the IAHS logo, reinforcing our connection.

A Journey Documented: HELPING Community Paper

We're excited to announce that a comprehensive community paper documenting the ideas and initialisation of the HELPING decade in progress. This paper will be submitted to the IAHS community journal Hydrological Sciences Journal (HSJ) early next year. Stay tuned for more updates on this significant milestone here.

Time plan for HELPING

10 December 2022 - 20 January 2023: online forum for suggesting topics
1 - 3 February: workshop in Córdoba, Spain + parallel online meetings (view the Outcomes Document here)
20 February - 1 March: survey on members engagement
15 March: first draft of the Concept Note 
16 March - 28 April: online forum open for suggestion Actions for the new decade
27 April: 1 or 2 Splinter meetings at EGU in Vienna, Austria
29 April: 1 day workshop in Vienna, Austria Flyer Outcomes Document
15 May - 30 June: open call for Working Groups and proposal for the new graphical logo of the decade
8 July: suggested Working Groups on the IAHS website with the possibility to sign up
14 July: launch of the new Scientific decade at the IUGG General Assembly in Berlin
     18:30 hrs open discussion on Working Groups at IUGG General Assembly in Berlin
     19:15 hrs voting for the winner of the graphical logo competition at IUGG General Assembly in Berlin
     Opening the call again for new Working Groups
15 July-15 September: open the call for more Working Groups again
15 September: possibility to sign-up to Working Groups until end September
15 September - 15 October: open call for self-nominations to become Theme leader(s) of first 2 years
early November: open online workshop of consolidated Working Groups
15 November: new descriptions of Working Groups and workplans
1st week of December: decision by Bureau of the strategic plan and HELPING setup
15 December: manuscript of Community Paper to HSJ.

New to HELPING?

If you're new to the world of HELPING and eager to get involved, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is not only passionate about our mission but also excited to provide you with all the information you need. A detailed list of HELPING Working Groups is already available, complete with proposal documents and contact information for the Theme Leaders as well as each Working Group leader. If you find a group that aligns with your research interests, reach out to the leader directly. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected]. Your journey toward scientific collaboration and discovery begins here!

Let's unite, innovate, and make a lasting impact together during the HELPING Decade!