News | GRÓ • International Centre for Capacity Development

WGC2026 Fellowships - update 27 April 2026

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Updates on Fellowships for WGC2026, 8-12 June 2026, Canada

GRÓ LRT Fellows Visit South and Southeast Iceland on Three-Day Field Trip

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:30:00 +0000

The 2026 fellows were met with a true Icelandic mix of sunshine and showers as they set off on GRÓ LRT’s annual field trip through South and Southeast Iceland last week. The three-day excursion focused on land degradation, restoration and climate change, as well as the realities facing local communities living near Iceland’s retreating glaciers.

Alumni Spotlight: Addressing the Gendered Impacts of Extreme Heat

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:50:00 +0000

At GRÓ GEST, one of the most meaningful indicators of impact is seeing our alumni contribute to global conversations on gender equality and sustainable development. We are proud to highlight a recent publication by a 2022 GEST fellow, Aarti Lila Ram,...

From Knowledge to Development Impact: Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:37:00 +0000

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 component of Iceland’s international development cooperation.

Meet GRÓ GEST 2026 Fellow Norah Lumny Ngwa

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:20:00 +0000

You know the stories where they talk about these great inventors, how they failed so many times with their inventions but kept going until they succeeded? Well, I would say I am one who almost gave up after the first try. I am no inventor of some big...

GEST Roundtable of Icelandic Organisations for Gender Equality

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

On Monday, the 20th of April, GRÓ GEST organized a roundtable of heads of organisations in Iceland, at the University of Iceland, that provide shelter and services for women, queer, non-binary, and trans people, children, and men. Drífa Snædal from S...

GRÓ GEST Alumni Thematic Seminar 2026

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:20:00 +0000

Epistemic Justice in Practice: Gendered Knowledge in Global North–South Development Partnerships

2026 GRÓ GEST cohort visits President Halla Tómasdóttir at Bessastaðir

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Yesterday, the 20th of April, the 2026 GRÓ GEST cohort visited Bessastaðir, the official residence of the President of Iceland, and were warmly welcomed by the President, Halla Tómasdóttir. A visit with the president at Bessastaðir has become an annu...

GRÓ Strengthens Partnerships and Explores New Collaboration Opportunities in Malawi

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:29:00 +0000

The Director General of the GRÓ Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change, Ms Nína Björk Jónsdóttir, met with key partner institutions and alumni during a visit to Malawi last week, together with the Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe.

GRÓ GEST Alumni Video Highlights Global Action on Gender Equality

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:28:00 +0000

A newly released video montage from the GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GRÓ GEST) brings together 30 voices from across its global alumni network, offering a dynamic snapshot of gender equality work in action. Drawing on contribu...

GRÓ Alumni Gather in Malawi to Initiate a National Alumni Network

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:31:00 +0000

Alumni in Malawi from all four GRÓ training programmes decided, at an alumni event held in Lilongwe on 26 March, to begin preparations for establishing a GRÓ alumni network in the country. This marked the first time alumni from all four programmes on geothermal, fisheries, land restoration and gender equality gathered in Malawi. The event was organized in partnership with alumni, the Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe, and the GRÓ Centre in Iceland.

GRÓ LRT Fellows Visit to Hvanneyri

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:07:00 +0000

Earlier this week, the GRÓ LRT fellows set off for the annual visit to the main campus of the Agricultural University of Iceland at Hvanneyri.

Where water flows, Equality grows!

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:12:00 +0000

GRÓ GEST Fellow Contributes to World Water Day Event in Iceland

Workshop on Geothermal Energy for Ukraine

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:14:00 +0000

A weeklong Workshop was held for Ukraine from 16-20 March.

GRÓ GEST Fellow Daryna Zavhorodnia Featured in Morgunblaðið Interview

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:55:00 +0000

GRÓ GEST Fellow Daryna Zavhorodnia was recently interviewed by the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið, where she shared her personal experiences of living through the war in Ukraine and highlighted an international student-led initiative to honour those lost in the conflict. Life under invasion: disruption, uncertainty and resilience In the interview, Daryna reflects on her life as a university student in Kyiv when Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. She describes how daily life has since been marked by constant uncertainty, frequent air raid alerts and the psychological toll of living under prolonged threat. Despite these challenges, she continued her studies remotely and later pursued work as a researcher in Kyiv. A central theme of the article is the contrast between the appearance of normality and the underlying fragility of life under sustained attacks. Daryna speaks candidly about how residents adapt to ongoing danger, often having to make difficult decisions about safety, rest and routine. Commemorating lost futures: the Unissued Diplomas initiative The interview also highlights Daryna’s involvement in the international exhibition Unissued Diplomas: Never Graduated, Forever Remembered, which commemorates Ukrainian students who lost their lives before completing their education. The project, initiated by Ukrainian students abroad, has grown into a global movement, with exhibitions held in over 40 countries. Through symbolic diplomas, photographs and personal stories, the exhibition seeks to humanise the consequences of war and emphasise the loss of future potential. Continuing advocacy and amplifying student voices Daryna is currently in Iceland as part of the GRÓ GEST programme at the University of Iceland, where she continues to raise awareness of the human impact of war and contribute to global dialogue on peace, equality and education.

GRÓ GEST Fellows Visit Alþingi

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:01:00 +0000

On Friday, 20 March, GRÓ GEST 2026 fellows visited Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament. They were led on a guided tour of the building by Arnór Steinn Ívarsson, who introduced them to the history of the parliament — from its early origins at Þingvellir, where Alþingi was first established around the year 930, to the current parliament building constructed in 1881. During the visit, the fellows were also given an overview of Iceland’s political development, including the country’s road to independence, the achievement of women’s suffrage, and women’s steadily increasing political participation throughout the 20th century. They were further introduced to the legislative process in Alþingi — how bills move through parliament, the role of parliamentary committees, and how the public can take part in and engage with parliamentary proceedings. Today, Alþingi has 63 members, of whom 46% are women. Furthermore, 6 out of 11 ministers are women, and 5 of the 6 political parties represented in parliament are led by women.

World Water Day 2026: Water and Gender Equality

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

2026 GRÓ GEST Fellow Esther Chinecherem George will give a presentation at an afternoon seminar on Water and Gender Equality in celebration of World Water Day, on Friday 20 March 2026.

Caribbean partnership strengthened

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:31:00 +0000

The GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme recently welcomed a valued partner from the Caribbean, Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).

GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme and the Iceland Ocean Cluster Sign Cooperation Agreement

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:38:00 +0000

On 17 February, GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme (GRÓ FTP) and the Iceland Ocean Cluster signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in innovation and sustainable use of marine resources.

The March 8 Fund 2026

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Call for Applications