The objective of arranging Workshops for Decision Makers in various parts of the world is to increase the cooperation between specialists of neighbouring countries and to promote geothermal development by enlightening top level decision makers on geothermal development, regulations, workforce, equipment, financing, and other issues concerning geothermal utilization. The main goal being that they lay the foundaition for a continuous Short Course Series in support of the SDGs.
A “Workshop for Decision Makers on Geothermal Projects and their Management” was a milestone in that regard, organized by GTP and KenGen in Kenya in 2005, in co-operation with UNEP and ICEIDA. Six countries with geothermal potential in East Africa joined forces within the African Rift Geothermal Facility (ARGeo). The GTP played a leading role in guiding and implementing political understanding and capacity strengthening. The Short Course series "Geothermal Exploration and Development of Geothermal Resiources" has been held in Kenya since then.
A “Workshop for Decision Makers focusing on Geothermal Projects in Central America” was held in El Salvador in 2006, followed by a Short Course series on various topics relating to the needs each time.
A “Workshop for Decision Makers on Direct Heating Use of Geothermal Resources in Asia" was held in China in 2008, with the plans of following it up with a continuous Short Course Series, but it did not come to be. However, in 2019 the Sino-Icelandic Geothermal Training Program was established in cooperation and on the model of GTP.
Presentations from the Workshops have been published on CDs by the GTP and the cooperating institutions and are also available for download under publications.