About H2O People
Throughout our capacity building, societal impact and collaboration projects we support the engagement of new and experienced professionals within in the water sector.
About H2O People
H2O People is a vibrant ecosystem dedicated to empowering professionals, organizations, and communities in the water and environmental sectors across Europe and beyond. We believe that meaningful change comes from collaboration, creativity, and community—and we are structured to support that change through two complementary entities:
H2O People BV
H2O People BV is our business entity, focused on delivering professional services such as training, consultancy, and capacity-building programs. We work directly with organizations to strengthen teams, foster leadership, and support transformation through human-centric and transdisciplinary approaches. Our expertise lies in designing and facilitating impactful learning journeys that respond to real-world challenges in water and beyond.
Stichting H2O-People Foundation
The Stichting H2O-People Foundation is our non-profit arm, dedicated to creating societal impact through research, education, and inclusive community engagement. The Foundation supports long-term strategic initiatives, fosters collaboration across sectors, and enables access to public funding and open knowledge and innovation platforms. It is the home for mission-driven innovation and systemic change.
The H2O People Community
At the heart of both entities is the H2O People Community—a growing network of professionals, organizations, and changemakers committed to building a better future for water and related sectors. This community is the living bridge between our business and non-profit activities, where ideas, experiences, and solutions are shared and co-created. It is also the platform where our flagship programs are nurtured and scaled.
Flagship Activities
Our flagship initiatives are supported and integrated across both H2O People BV and the Foundation, reflecting our shared values of openness, inclusion, evidence-based development, and a commitment to empowering people in and with water.
- Capacity Building:
- European Junior Water Programme (EJWP)
- Blue Innovation Track
- Social Impact:
- H2O People Impact Framework
- Collaboration Projects:
- Cross-sectoral initiatives and EU-funded programs
These programs are delivered operationally by H2O People BV and strategically aligned and valorised by the Foundation, ensuring both excellence and impact.
Our philosophy
Why we do what we do?
Solving today’s environmental challenges requires more than technical solutions—it demands people-centered approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term commitment. Whether through professional services or strategic partnerships, H2O People is here to support individuals and organizations in making meaningful change for water and society.
Who we work for and with?
At H2O People, we are dedicated to supporting (young) professionals, organizations, and stakeholders within the water sector. Our target group includes emerging talents, industry leaders, and collaborative partners who share our vision of a sustainable and innovative water future.
We consider the water world to encompass all aspects of water management, from resource conservation and infrastructure development to policy-making and community engagement. The water sector is a dynamic and interconnected field that addresses critical challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and environmental protection in all types of the water cycle; drinking water, waste water, ground water, rivers, oceans and its surroundings. By working with diverse individuals and organizations, we strive to foster a collaborative environment where innovative solutions can thrive and make a lasting impact.
Meet the H2O People
Naomi Timmer
Director & Board Member Foundation H2O People
Naomi Timmer is director of H2O People in which she created the European Junior Water Programme and Blue Innovation Track for Advanced Water Leaders as flagship programmes in the European Water sector. She holds a BA in Religious Studies and MA in Political Science at Leiden University (NL). She is active for more than 10 years in the water sector as a trainer and programme manager for several personal leadership societal impact and collaboration programmes.
She applies her unique multidisciplinary vision to develop the European Junior Water Programme and started many collaborations to create and share our knowledge within a European context. She is (lead) partner in divers European projects leading the work on capacity building and societal impact, member of the Stakeholder Advisory Board of Water4All Partnership, leads the capacity building activities for the COST Action NEXUSNET and the Working Group on Human Capital for Water Europe.
She is focused on making connections and bring the water sector a step forward in supporting the human factor in working in the water industry.
Chrysoula Papacharalampou
Social Impact Advisor & Board Member H2O People Foundation
Chrysoula Papacharalampou, PhD, is passionate about water research that involves societal actors and addresses today’s challenges. With an interdisciplinary background, she has pursued a dual career in research and research administration.
Her research focuses on integrated sustainability impact assessment and socio-hydrology, developing methods to conceptualize complex systems like catchments and value chains. As Executive Director of the Erasmus Research Institute of Management at Erasmus University Rotterdam, she leads changes in research policy, quality assurance, open science, and inclusion.
On Social Impact
As Social Impact Advisor at H2O-People and through EU-funded projects, Chrysoula aims to drive sustainable societal change through research and co-creation. She believes in educating future water professionals to lead lasting societal impact. For her, the social impact of water research means affecting society in tangible ways, such as changes in awareness, policy-making, and strategy. She emphasizes the importance of tracking both short- and long-term impacts.
Chrysoula holds a BSc in Geology and an MSc with Distinction from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and a PhD from the University of Bath.
Jennifer Cronick
Trainer & Coach
Filip Grisar
Trainer & Coach
As a dynamic EJWP trainer, Filip brings expertise in human relations, communication, change, management, and leadership. His training methods emphasize mutual exchange, debate, and practical exercises.
Based in Belgium, Filip holds a degree in economic sciences from Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve, specializing in management. He started his career as an event organizer and founded a promotional items and clothing company while still studying.
With 15 years of experience in team coaching, conflict management, and change, Filip focuses on unlocking people’s potential. He uses a direct approach with clear objectives and is an expert in Neurocognitive (INC) and behavioral methods, effective in multilingual and multicultural groups.
After traveling the world for over 10 years, I’ve seen how important it is for people to find meaning in their work, especially regarding environmental impact. It’s not just a trend or a generational issue; it’s about our legacy for future generations and the leadership needed to make real change.
Mark Goos
Strategic Communication & Project Advisor
Mark Goos is a strategic communication advisor, specializing in crafting communication plans and social media campaigns from inception to execution. With a keen eye for detail and a creative mindset, he excels in developing concepts and seeing them through to production and implementation. Mark’s expertise lies in leveraging various communication channels to effectively convey messages and engage audiences. Whether it’s drafting comprehensive strategies or executing targeted campaigns, Mark’s holistic approach ensures impactful communication outcomes.
Within H2O People Mark supports next to the general communication European collaboration projects, such as iMERMAID and Skills4Water.
Lenie Maas
Support Officer
With over 20 years of experience in various industries, mostly in commercial roles, Lenie Maas has crafted her ideal position where versatility, creativity, and online work come together. In this role, she applies her knowledge and experience across different companies, with a preference for the green sector.
Beyond her broad skill set, Lenie is the key person connecting all the moving parts. Her value can be summed up as: organized, communicatively strong, detail-oriented, analytical, proactive, result- and service-driven, and eager to learn. She is adept at handling the fast-paced nature of daily work, effortlessly managing multiple tasks at once.
Lenie is dedicated not only to her clients but also to her colleagues. She thrives on variety, problem-solving, and inventiveness. She excels at coordinating, organizing, structuring, and figuring things out. Her motivation comes from high-quality standards, detailed tasks, and complete commitment to projects. Whether it’s research, relationship management, or sales administration, all the intricate work is in capable hands with Lenie.