YWP Denmark Award
YWP Denmark Award
YWPDK and Danish Water Forum (DWF) united forces in 2022 to create a new award specifically aimed at young water professionals in Denmark.
This year, we are again looking forward to acknowledging three outstanding YWPs for their impact in the water sector. The first prize will consist of 500€, followed by a second prize of 300€ and a third one of 200€. All these prizes are sponsored by DWF.
What are the selection criteria?
The YWP Denmark Award is granted to a young water professional who has contributed to the Danish water sector, and who has the ability to play an influential role in the water industry in the future.
The jury will make the decision on the award based on the following criteria:
- Vision: The individual has set ambitious goals for the water sector – 33%
- Initiative: The individual has taken initiative and responsibility to develop new ideas and/or opening new possibilities and opportunities – 33%
- Impact to water sector: The individual has made an impact with his/her work to influence the water sector – 33%
The award judges may, at their discretion, request supporting information to verify or better substantiate any nomination.
The 2026 winners are…
The first prize for the YWPDK Award 2026 goes to Jan-Max Arana Juve from NIRAS.
Jan-Max is a Process Water Engineer and Project Manager at NIRAS, specializing in ultrapure water treatment and process optimization. With a PhD focused on PFAS and a strong track record spanning research, innovation, and industry application, he is driving forward solutions in areas such as PFAS remediation, PtX, and pharmaceutical water systems. As an active YWP DK volunteer, he also contributes to shaping the future of the Danish water sector through engagement, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. 👏 💧
“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the YWPDK and the Danish Water Forum (DWF). It strengthens my commitment to driving impactful solutions through collaboration, critical thinking, and often by challenging conventional approaches to push the boundaries of what’s possible. I believe this mindset is essential to addressing the urgent environmental challenges we, as water professionals, are called to lead. In a time when access to information is greater than ever, the real differentiator can lie in how we think, collaborate, and act. Grateful to be part of a community that turns challenges into opportunities.”
The second prize for the YWPDK Award 2026 goes to Nina Almind-Jørgensen from VandCenter Syd.
Nina is a chemical engineer and works as a Development Engineer in Strategy and Innovation at VandCenter Syd. She is engaged in development and demonstration projects aimed at reducing climate impact and improving treatment technologies at wastewater plants. She has played a key role in the MUDP project NACAT, contributing to the testing and documentation of a catalyst that effectively destroys nitrous oxide (N₂O). Nina is also active as regional representative for the Southern region of YWP DK. 💧🌍
”I am very surprised to be nominated for this award. I see it as a big honor and a strong motivation to keep working for the YWP community. I see great potential for collaboration between young water professionals in these coming years challenges, let’s listen and learn from each other for greater success. A strong collaboration in the sector can attract new colleagues for the sector. Thanks for the acknowledgement.”
The third prize for the YWPDK Award 2026 goes to Tianyu Lei from DTU.
Tianyu is a PhD student at DTU – Technical University of Denmark. His research focuses on improving the understanding and prediction of greenhouse gas emissions from full‑scale industrial wastewater treatment systems. By developing advanced digital tools that support net‑zero strategies and sustainable wastewater management, he is addressing one of the most urgent challenges in the water industry: reducing climate impacts while maintaining high operational efficiency. 💧🔬
“I feel deeply honored to receive the YWPDK award. I am grateful to my colleague for the nomination, and to my supervisors and collaborators for their continuous support and guidance. This means a lot to me and reflects our shared efforts of digital solutions for a more sustainable wastewater treatment industry. It truly motivates me to keep contributing to innovation in the water sector!“
Keep an eye out for the next nomination period for YWP DK Awards 2027. The nomination period will open during fall of 2026.