United Nations launches blockchain academy to upskill staff worldwide

More than 24,000 United Nations staff are set to gain blockchain skills as the UN expands its academy, developed in partnership with the Algorand Foundation.

The United Nations Development Program will expand its blockchain training academy to train 24,000 personnel worldwide, the international organization announced in a press release on November 19.

Launched in collaboration with the Algorand Foundation, the initiative aims to equip UN staff with blockchain skills to help them understand how the technology can contribute to building a “more sustainable and equitable future.” Financial participation in the Algorand Foundation.

“Blockchain is one of these key technologies, as its transparency and efficiency make sustainable development programs even more effective.”

Doro Unger-Lee, Head of Education and Financial Inclusion at Algorand Foundation

United Nations blockchain experiments

Launched in late 2023, Blockchain Academy provides specialized training on blockchain technology and its potential applications in development projects. According to the press release, the academy certified more than 30 UN staff during its beta phase and added over 18 hours of training to its curriculum.

The expanded program now includes a broader curriculum available to all staff at the United Nations Development Programme, UN Volunteers and the United Nations Capital Development Fund.

The United Nations Development Program has been exploring blockchain in a variety of sectors since 2015, from tracking cocoa supply chains to enabling digital impact investments. This expansion is in line with broader UN efforts, including the launch of the Guardian and Managed Guardian Service platform for carbon markets in December 2023, in collaboration with the HBAR Foundation. Powered by Hedera’s blockchain, the platform facilitates digital measurement, reporting and verification in carbon markets.