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 Programme is expanding its blockchain education academy to provide training to 24,000 personnel worldwide, the international organization announced in a press release on Nov. 19.

The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Algorand Foundation, aims to equip UN personnel with blockchain skills to help them understand how the technology can contribute to building a “more sustainable and equitable future,” according to Doro Unger-Lee, head of education and financial inclusion at the Algorand Foundation.

“Blockchain is one of these essential technologies, as its transparency and efficiency makes sustainable development programmes even more impactful.”

Doro Unger-Lee, head of education and financial inclusion at the Algorand Foundation

United Nations experiments with blockchain

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

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.

Since 2015, the United Nations Development Programme has explored blockchain in various sectors, from tracking cocoa supply chains to enabling digital impact investments. This expansion aligns with broader UN efforts, including the December 2023 launch of the Guardian and Managed Guardian Service platform for carbon markets in collaboration with the HBAR Foundation. Powered by Hedera’s blockchain, the platform facilitates digital measurement, reporting, and verification in carbon markets.