The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed plans for a forthcoming “Government Blockchain Academy.” This innovative program is structured to boost innovation within the public sector by offering focused education and practical programs centering on advanced technologies, including blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
On September 15th, the UNDP, the UN’s leading organization for international development, announced its collaboration with the Exponential Science Foundation for this Academy. The Foundation’s core mission is to promote understanding and wider application of emerging technologies.
The Academy’s purpose is to empower governments to initiate significant change and find solutions for specific challenges across five key areas: promoting accessible digital finance options, fostering transparent governance practices, ensuring supply chain integrity, enhancing climate change resilience, and developing secure digital identity solutions.
By effectively combining educational opportunities with hands-on implementation, the UNDP anticipates that the Academy will facilitate the integration of blockchain applications to resolve developmental issues facing governments and public bodies.
Irena Cerovic, Innovation Team Leader at UNDP Europe and Central Asia, stated, “At UNDP, we are dedicated to driving institutional innovation, which includes enabling governments to investigate and experiment with cutting-edge technologies. The Government Blockchain Academy is a testament to this commitment, offering countries a means to address intricate development obstacles in novel ways, transitioning from experimental phases to tangible implementation that enhances transparency, inclusivity, and resilience.”
The UNDP states that the Academy’s offerings will include workshops, online courses, and leadership forums specifically catered to the public sector’s needs. Government participants will also have access to curated resources, incubation programs, expert advice, and guidance through the digital learning initiative. Each participating government team will receive structured support, including identifying appropriate use cases, defining requirements, and working alongside Academy experts and industry partners.
The project’s overarching goal is to collaborate with local governments in crafting “scalable, high-impact blockchain initiatives that tackle key national priorities.”
The UNDP envisions the Academy becoming a global center for discussion, experimentation, and learning, further empowering local officials to engage with and understand emerging technologies.
Prof. Paolo Tasca, Executive Chairman of Exponential Science, emphasizes, “This is more than just an educational program; it represents a collective strategy for public sector innovation. By unifying diverse partners within a common framework, we can ensure that governments have the necessary tools and talent to successfully navigate the next wave of digital transformation.”
The UN’s announcement clarified that the Government Blockchain Academy will formally launch its initial country-specific programs in 2026, with preliminary activities, curriculum development, and stakeholder involvement set to begin in 2025.
Watch: Educating the government on potentials of blockchain