GRÓ • Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change

21/07/2026

“I express my deepest gratitude for this Programme, whose comprehensiveness has been fundamental to my professional development" says Aura, a GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO alumni 🌋

Discover how Aura's experience in Iceland helped shape her career and the work she is doing today. In this interview, she reflects on her time with GRÓ, the impact of the programme, and the journey that followed.

Read Aura's story below, and explore more inspiring interviews with GRÓ alumni from around the world on our website 🌎

Aura Elena Becerra Suárez is a geological engineer from Colombia. She attended the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme in 2024 and says the training p

18/07/2026

🌟 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢

From the rural community of Vuwani in Limpopo Province to leading environmental and youth development initiatives, Thamathama Ratshili is a testament to the transformative power of education at the University of Venda.

A proud alumna of Tshedza Comprehensive Primary School and Thohoyandou Technical High School, Thamathama enrolled at the University of Venda to pursue a Bachelor of Earth Sciences in Hydrology and Water Resources. During her time at UNIVEN, she developed not only technical expertise in hydrology, water resources management, environmental sustainability, and research, but also the confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that continue to define her career.

One of the defining moments of her university journey came when she was crowned Miss University of Venda 2018/2019. As an ambassador of the University, she championed education, youth empowerment, community service, and social responsibility, using her platform to inspire positive change while strengthening her leadership and communication skills.

Today, Thamathama serves as the Project Coordinator for the E-Waste for Youth Employment Project, a collaborative initiative between the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR), the Electronic Waste Association of South Africa (EWASA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO). She coordinates project implementation across Limpopo Province, promotes environmental education, strengthens stakeholder partnerships, and advances the circular economy through responsible electronic waste management.

She also serves as Secretary of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve Board of Directors, contributing to environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Her commitment to environmental stewardship was further strengthened through postgraduate studies in Ecological Restoration and Sustainable Land Management at the Agricultural University of Iceland under the internationally recognised GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme.

Thamathama's journey reflects the University of Venda's commitment to developing graduates who are academically accomplished, socially responsible, and equipped to create meaningful impact. Through education, leadership, and service, she continues to inspire young people while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.

The University of Venda proudly celebrates Thamathama Ratshili as an alumna whose journey embodies excellence, leadership, and a commitment to transforming communities through knowledge and innovation.

06/07/2026

A total of 91 specialists from 35 countries graduated from the four GRÓ training programmes in 2025 and Nine GRÓ scholarship recipients graduated 🎓

You can read all about the works of the GRÓ Centre and the four GRÓ training programmes, GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO, GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO, GRÓ GEST : Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme and GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO in 2025 in the GRÓ Annual Report 2025 that has now been published 🌍

The year 2025 was an active and productive one for GRÓ—Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change, and the four training pr

23/06/2026

We are delighted to welcome the new GRÓ Governing Board members and look forward to working together for the next six years.

To mark this new chapter, a reception was held bringing together incoming and outgoing board members and staff from the four training programmes. Thank you to our former board members for their valuable contributions, and welcome to the new members! 🥳

Read more in the article below

A new GRÓ Governing Board has been appointed for the term 2026-2032. At a reception held last week to mark the changes in the governing board, the

02/06/2026

We would like to raise your attention to the blended learning course Ending Violence Through Human Rights Advocacy, organised by GEST : Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme, Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi 🇲🇼

We encourage all interested to explore the information below and submit an application for this exciting learning opportunity!🎓

GRÓ GEST, the Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe, and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources invite applications for a new blended learning programme in Malawi linked to the launch of GRÓ GEST’s online course Ending Violence Through Human Rights Advocacy.

The programme is for practitioners in Malawi working in areas related to violence prevention, gender equality, human rights, advocacy, community mobilisation, institutional change, safeguarding, youth work, SRHR, disability inclusion, refugee or displaced community support, workplace inclusion, or related fields.

The programme includes:

🌍 A six-week online course
📍 A three-day in-person intensive workshop at LUANAR in Lilongwe
🧭 Support to develop a concrete advocacy plan
💡 An opportunity for the best final advocacy plan to receive USD 6,000 in seed funding

Applicants must currently live and work in Malawi and must submit an institutional support letter as part of the application.

Online course: 10 August–21 September 2026
In-person workshop: 12–14 October 2026, LUANAR, Lilongwe
Application deadline: 28 June 2026

Read the full call and apply here:
https://www.grocentre.is/gest/media-gest/news/call-for-applications

Please share widely with relevant practitioners, organisations, networks, and institutions in Malawi.

22/05/2026

We congratulate the 24 fellows of the 18th cohort of GRÓ GEST : Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme who graduated yesterday, bringing the GRÓ GEST family to 291 🥳

During the graduation ceremony, the heartfelt speeches from fellows were a powerful reminder that this journey was not only academic, but deeply personal. Their reflections spoke of growth, solidarity, friendship, and the strong sense of connection built throughout the programme.

Beyond the knowledge and skills gained, this cohort leaves with a network of support and collaboration that will continue to inspire their work and leadership in the years ahead.

We warmly congratulate the entire cohort on this important achievement and look forward to seeing how they continue to champion equality, inspire progress, and create lasting impact in their respective fields and communities.🎉

GRÓ GEST celebrates its 2026 fellows

21/05/2026

Congratulations to the 27th cohort of GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO on their graduation 🥳🐟

This year, 23 new fellows joined the growing GRÓ FTP family, bringing the total number of fellows graduated to an incredible 535 fellows. Each cohort represents more than a milestone — it represents leadership, and a shared commitment in advancing sustainable development in their home countries.

We wish all of the graduates continued success as they take the next steps in their journeys. The impact of this program is measured not only in numbers, but in the people who go on to lead, collaborate, and create meaningful change in their fields and communities. Congratulations again to the entire cohort!

Today, 23 fellows graduated from the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme, after completing a six-month training course, offered by the Icelandic government,

20/05/2026

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, congratulated the new GRÓ Governing Board members and wished them every success in their important work ahead at the first meeting of the new board.
The Gró Governing Board is appointed for six years and we look forward to working with them for the foreseeable future 😃

The new Chairmen of the board is Ólafur Stephensen who was appointed by the Minister for Foreign affairs. On the board are also Antonio De Sousa Abreu, Halla Jónsdóttir, Sæunn Stefánsdóttir and Ragnar Schram.

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir utanríkisráðherra leit við á fyrsta fund nýrrar stjórnar GRÓ – Þekkingarmiðstöðvar þróunarsamvinnu, sem fram fór í utanríkisráðuneytinu nýverið. Ráðherra óskaði nýrri stjórn til hamingju og góðs gengis í sínum störfum en stjórnin er skipuð til s*x ára í senn.

GRÓ er ráðuneytisstofnun sem starfar undir merkjum UNESCO og starfrækir fjóra skóla þar sem íslenskri sérþekkingu á sviði jarðhita, sjávarútvegs, landgræðslu og jafnréttis er komið á framfæri við þróunarlönd. Nýr stjórnarformaður GRÓ er Ólafur Stephensen. Einnig eiga sæti í stjórninni Halla Jónsdóttir, Ragnar Schram, Sæunn Stefánsdóttir og Antonio De Sousa Abreu. Ný stjórn er boðin velkomin til starfa.

📷Utanríkisráðherra ásamt hinni nýju stjórn og Nínu Björk Jónsdóttur forstöðumanni GRÓ.

01/05/2026

From Knowledge to Development Impact🌿

Join us at this event where we will here from fellows and alumni from the GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO.

More information below 🌳

Join us for the last event in a series highlighting Iceland’s contribution to global capacity development through the four GRÓ Training Programmes, a key c

09/04/2026

During her visit to Malawi, Ms Nína Björk Jónsdóttir Director General of the GRÓ Centre, met with partner institutions while exploring opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange.

You can read more about the meetings below

The Director General of the GRÓ Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change, Ms Nína Björk Jónsdóttir, met with key partner inst