GRÓ • Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change

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

27/03/2026

An interesting and inspiring event that took place in Lilongwe yesterday that brought alumni together to reconnect, share ideas, and explore the possibility of creating an official alumni network.

Alumni shared their work experiences and insights across the four thematic areas of GRÓ training programmes.

Interesting times ahead for our GRÓ alumni in Malawi!🥳

18/03/2026

Dr. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa, nemi Sjávarútvegsskólans frá 2010, fer hér yfir áhrif skólans á feril sinn og sýn sína á það hvernig nýta megi fiskveiðar til að efla efnahag lands og styðja við fæðuöryggi.

Það er virkilega gaman að sjá jákvæðu áhrifin af starfi Sjávarútvegsskólans og starfi GRÓ skólanna.

Greinin er aðgengileg áskrifendum Morgunblaðsins.

Fisheries Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO

Ráðuneytisstjóri sjávarútvegsráðuneytis Srí Lanka segir nám á Íslandi hafa haft afgerandi áhrif á sýn sína á það hvernig nýta megi fiskveiðar til að efla efnahag lands og styðja við fæðuöryggi.

04/03/2026

Recording from the GRÓ GEST : Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme open event can be found below.

The GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GRÓ GEST) was the focus of the third event of the series From Knowledge to Development Impact, t

03/03/2026

Grein eftir Þorgerði Katrínu Gunnarsdóttur, utanríkisráðherra, um mikilvægi kynjajafnréttis í dag.

Við hvetjum áhugafólk um jafnrétti til að kynna sér starf Jafnréttisskóla GRÓ að koma til að hlýða á sögur þeirra sem hafa nýtt þekkingu úr náminu til að knýja fram raunverulegar breytingar heima fyrir í Háskóla Íslands í dag.

GEST : Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme

Á undanförnum árum hefur heimsbyggðin orðið vitni að því hvernig réttindi, sem talin voru örugg og óumdeild, eru dregin í efa. Jafnréttisbarátta mætir vaxa