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GRÓ GTP topic of the first event in a series on the development impact of the GRÓ Training Programmes
29 October 2025
From Knowledge to Development Impact: Building Capacity for Sustainable Energy Development through GRÓ is the title of a series of events highlighting Iceland’s contribution to global capacity strengthening through the four GRÓ Training Programmes, a key component of Iceland‘s international development cooperation. The events are hosted by the GRÓ Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change, the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland.
The event will take place on wednesday November 5 from 12:00 – 13:15 in the Ceremonial Hall at the University of Iceland and will also be streamed online.
This first session focuses on the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme (GRÓ GTP), an intiative established in 1978 designed to strengthen geothermal exploration and development in countries with geothermal potential.
How does geothermal training translate into sustainable energy development in partner countries? How do alumni apply their training to lead change and innovation in their home countries?
Come and hear directly from fellows as they share their experiences and insights on how capacity strengthening can drive progress in global development
Programme
12:00 Welcoming words, Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland
12:05 Opening address, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs
12:15 Keynote address, Peter Maina, PhD fellow from Kenya
12:30 Fellow Snapshots: Experiences and Impact of the Geothermal Training Programme
12:40 Panel discussion
Nursanty Elisabeth Banjarnahor, PhD fellow (Indonesia), Álvaro Josué Campos Ramos, MSc fellow (El Salvador), Daryl Eastman James, Six-Month fellow (Dominica)
Moderated by Bjarni Richter, Director, GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme
13:10 Closing Remarks, Nína Björk Jónsdóttir, Director General of the GRÓ Centre
Light coffee refreshments will be served
The event is open to all but kindly register participation here https://forms.office.com/e/rEE2znrSZt