Land and Forest Iceland
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Good results of GRÓ’s work confirmed in a major audit
21st November 2024
An extensive and impartial assessment of the GRÓ Training Programs on Fisheries, Gender Equality Studies and Training, Geothermal Studies, and Land Restoration Training conducted between 2018 and 2023 by the reputable firm GOPA has affirmed the programs' effectiveness. The evaluation offers 37 insightful recommendations for enhancing the programs and the GRÓ Center, as reported on the official website of the Icelandic Government.
The review's primary conclusion is that the schools have successfully achieved their objectives in supporting young professionals and organisations across 76 countries. This accomplishment has empowered them to actively contribute towards the realisation of the United Nations' Global Goals. Moreover, the training provided to students has laid a solid foundation for the development of new knowledge, skills, and methodologies.
The review's findings indicate that the GRÓ's endeavors are fully aligned with Iceland's international development policy and have proven to be a valuable complement to other international development cooperation initiatives, including Iceland's bilateral cooperation. However, there are indications that further synergies between these initiatives could be explored and enhanced. Additionally, GRÓ has made significant contributions to horizontal priorities in Icelandic development cooperation, particularly in the areas of gender equality, human rights, and the environment and climate.
Efficiency and Crucial Support
The assessment indicates a high level of work efficiency. From 2018 to 2023, GRÓ facilitated training for 534 individuals through 5–6 months of local education in Iceland, nearly 1700 individuals through shorter courses, and an impressive 39,000 students participated in online training. Additionally, 239 former students received support to attend international conferences in their respective academic fields.
The majority of those who received support through GRÓ originated from the world's most impoverished nations. Feedback from students and key institutions consistently highlights the practical nature and high quality of the training provided. Notably, since 2022, significant improvements have been made in establishing a clearer framework and policy for the work, implementing consistent performance measurements, and setting goals for the future.
Professional success attributed to the program
The assessment demonstrates that numerous former GRÓ students hold influential positions within their respective countries, enabling them to exert significant impact. Their achievements in projects and initiatives aligned with the Global Goals are commendable. Approximately 73% of students trained in Iceland attribute their professional success to the program, while 90% believe it enhanced their contributions to their respective fields. The operational efficiency is deemed satisfactory, as evidenced by a slight decrease in the average cost per student from 2012 to 2016. Furthermore, the implementation of a dedicated performance framework has notably strengthened monitoring, supervision, and project management.
GRÓ operates as a ministry agency overseeing four training programs housed within public institutions specialising in relevant fields. The 2020 agreement establishing GRÓ's operations under the UNESCO banner is considered satisfactory in the review. While some level of collaboration already exists between GRÓ and UNESCO, long-term cooperation with the organisation and its partners presents additional opportunities to empower former students of the programs, given their global presence.