The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced plans to launch a “Government Blockchain Academy” next year, aimed at educating public sector officials on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and other emerging technologies.
In a statement on Monday, the UN agency said it will collaborate with the Exponential Science Foundation — a nonprofit focused on blockchain and artificial intelligence — to deliver the initiative.
“The Academy will provide specialized education and implementation programs that harness blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies to help governments drive transformative change,” the UNDP said.
The agency, which works to support long-term economic growth and poverty reduction, highlighted that developing countries such as India, Pakistan, and Vietnam have been among the top adopters of crypto technologies this year, according to data from Chainalysis.
Focus on Financial Services and Digital Identity
The academy’s curriculum will emphasize how blockchain-based solutions can address key development challenges, including in areas like financial services and digital identity systems.
Irena Cerovic, a UNDP team leader for Europe and Central Asia, said the initiative aims to help governments “tackle complex development challenges in new ways and move from experimentation to implementation in ways that strengthen transparency, inclusion, and resilience.”
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed further details about its upcoming “Government Blockchain Academy,” highlighting key focus areas and a phased rollout starting in 2026.
The academy will explore how emerging technologies like blockchain can be used to create trusted, verifiable digital credentials to improve access to public services. It will also focus on expanding access to financial services and digital payments, especially in developing economies.
Additional areas of education will include using blockchain for transparent and accountable public procurement, enabling tamper-proof recordkeeping to fight corruption, and leveraging tokens and smart contracts in climate finance, such as tracking carbon credits.
UNDP Plans Blockchain Academy Rollout in 2026
While the UNDP has not specified exact launch dates, it confirmed that the academy will begin rolling out in select countries in 2026. Curriculum development is set to begin this year.
The program will offer in-person, online, and forum-based learning formats, providing governments with structured support to design and implement high-impact blockchain initiatives aligned with national priorities.
Building on Previous Blockchain Training
This new government-focused initiative builds on the UNDP’s earlier blockchain education efforts. In late 2023, the agency partnered with the Algorand Foundation to launch a blockchain academy aimed at training its 22,000 staff. The goal was to equip them with the knowledge to support countries in using blockchain for sustainable development.
The upcoming Government Blockchain Academy represents the next step in the UNDP’s broader push to integrate advanced technologies into public-sector innovation.
