9 October 2026 | University of Luxembourg, Campus Kirchberg
On 9 October 2026, Engineers Without Borders Luxembourg (EWB Luxembourg), together with Ingénieurs Sans Frontières Belgique (ISF Belgique), organised “Low-Tech: Rethinking Engineering”, our first jointly organised event, hosted at the University of Luxembourg.
The event brought together students, engineers, researchers and members of the public to explore how engineering can contribute to more sustainable, accessible and locally adapted solutions.
Rethinking the Role of Technology
Low-Tech is not about rejecting technology or innovation. It is about making thoughtful engineering choices, considering environmental and social impacts, resource availability, maintenance requirements and local needs.
Through presentations, discussions and practical workshops, participants explored how this approach can be applied to real-world challenges, with a particular focus on nature-based water purification and solar cooking.
From Ideas to Practice
The morning programme introduced the principles of Low-Tech and their relevance to the work of Engineers Without Borders.
Bernard Mathieu (ISF Belgique) and Kristina Teppo (EWB Luxembourg) discussed the role of Low-Tech in engineering for development and the importance of choosing appropriate technologies.
Dr Silvia Venditti and her team from the University of Luxembourg presented nature-based approaches to water purification, while Marcel Barros (CELL) explored solar cooking as an accessible application of renewable energy.
In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to put these ideas into practice through two parallel workshops:
- Nature-based water purification: Participants explored water treatment principles through the construction of a small-scale wetland system, observation and monitoring.
- Solar cooking: Participants built and tested solar ovens, exploring the practical applications and limitations of solar thermal energy.
The hands-on activities encouraged experimentation, teamwork and discussion about the opportunities and challenges of implementing Low-Tech solutions.
Thank You to Our Partners, Speakers and Volunteers!
We warmly thank everyone who contributed to making this event possible:
- University of Luxembourg: Berta Rato, Associate Professor Ralph Useldinger and Professor Francesco Vitti for their support.
- Speakers: Dr Silvia Venditti and her team (University of Luxembourg), Bernard Mathieu (ISF Belgique), Marcel Barros (CELL) and Kristina Teppo (EWB Luxembourg).
- Workshop facilitators: Michel Guenther (EWB Luxembourg) and the CELL team for their contribution to the solar cooking workshops.
- Participants and volunteers: Thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, questions and active involvement throughout the day!
This first joint event represents an important step in strengthening cooperation between EWB Luxembourg and ISF Belgique and promoting exchanges on sustainable engineering approaches.
What’s Next? Join Us in Liège on 2 December!
The conversation continues with Part 2: a participatory Low-Tech workshop in Liège on 2 December 2026, from 18:00 to 21:00, organised with ISF Belgique, the University of Liège and Low Tech Liège.
We look forward to continuing the exchange and exploring new ways to put Low-Tech principles into practice.
Together, let’s rethink engineering for a more sustainable future!
