The United Nations Development Programme’s SDG Finance Academy is offering a collection of 16 self-paced online courses designed to strengthen knowledge and practical skills in sustainable finance, public financial management, private capital mobilisation, biodiversity finance, impact measurement, Integrated National Financing Frameworks and Islamic finance.
These open-access learning opportunities are relevant to professionals, students, policymakers, development practitioners, entrepreneurs, researchers and other learners who want to understand how financing tools and policy reforms can accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
More than 12,000 participants have already engaged in the Academy’s 16 self-paced e-learning courses. The platform also reports that more than 2,500 learners have participated in its in-person academies across UNDP regions. Its introductory e-learning course has received an average participant rating of 9.1. UNDP SDG Finance Academy
Most of the courses are available in English, while selected courses are also offered in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese or Arabic. Certificates are available for most courses, although certificate conditions differ by course and learning platform.
There is no single application deadline stated for this collection because the courses are self-paced and generally available through ongoing online enrolment.
What Is the UNDP SDG Finance Academy?
The SDG Finance Academy is the United Nations Development Programme’s learning platform for building sustainable-finance capabilities worldwide.
It shares UNDP’s experience in using financial instruments, public policy, private-sector engagement and integrated financing strategies to advance sustainable development.
The Academy provides:
- Live online courses
- Self-paced e-learning courses
- In-person academies
- Tailored support in different areas of sustainable finance
- Access to practical knowledge developed through UNDP’s global work
- Opportunities to learn from international experts and real-world examples
The Academy’s broader purpose is to help governments, businesses, development organisations and finance professionals identify, attract, de-risk, align and protect investments that contribute to country-led sustainable development.
It seeks to close the gap between sustainable-development ambitions and the financing, policies, institutions and technical capabilities needed to deliver them.
Why Sustainable Finance Skills Matter
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires major changes in the way public budgets, private capital, financial markets, investment pipelines, taxation systems and development plans are designed and managed.
Governments alone cannot finance every development priority. Sustainable development therefore depends on coordinated action involving:
- National and local governments
- Public-finance institutions
- Private investors
- Commercial banks
- Development finance institutions
- Businesses and entrepreneurs
- Multilateral organisations
- Civil society
- Philanthropic organisations
- Academic and research institutions
Sustainable finance is not limited to raising more money. It also involves ensuring that financial flows, public policies and business operations produce measurable social, environmental and economic benefits.
The UNDP courses address this challenge by introducing learners to subjects such as SDG budgeting, taxation, debt, insurance, private investment, nature finance, impact measurement, financing frameworks and Islamic financial instruments.
Main Features of the UNDP Online Courses
The courses generally offer the following features:
- Free or open-access online learning
- Self-paced study arrangements
- Flexible participation from different countries
- Practical explanations of sustainable-finance concepts
- UNDP case studies and institutional experience
- Real-world examples
- Knowledge checks, exercises or assessments, depending on the course
- Certificates for most courses, subject to completion requirements and platform conditions
- Content for both introductory and more experienced learners
- Access through UNDP-associated learning platforms
The exact duration, enrolment procedure, assessment method and certificate conditions can differ from one course to another. Learners should check the official course page before registering.
Complete List of 16 UNDP SDG Finance Academy Courses
The courses can be organised into six main learning areas:
- Sustainable-finance foundations
- Public finance for the Sustainable Development Goals
- Private capital for sustainable development
- Nature and biodiversity finance
- Impact measurement and finance tracking
- Integrated financing frameworks and Islamic finance
Sustainable-Finance Foundations
1. Introduction to Sustainable Finance and the SDG Finance Academy
This course provides the foundation for understanding the other courses offered through the SDG Finance Academy.
UNDP recommends completing it before proceeding to the more specialised modules.
The course introduces:
- The meaning and importance of sustainable finance
- The financing challenges affecting the Sustainable Development Goals
- UNDP’s role in sustainable finance
- Catalytic financing approaches
- Financial instruments supporting development
- Policy reforms that can unlock sustainable investment
- Connections among public finance, private capital and national development priorities
- The purpose and structure of the SDG Finance Academy
The course is particularly useful for learners who are new to sustainable finance and want a structured introduction before selecting a specialised pathway.
Languages
The course is available in:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Chinese
Certificate
A certificate is available, subject to completing the applicable requirements.
View the official course page.
2. Introduction to Sustainable Finance for Climate and Energy
This course introduces sustainable-finance concepts specifically related to climate and energy.
It was developed collaboratively by UNDP’s Sustainable Finance, Climate and Energy teams and is described by UNDP as a free online course for a global audience.
The course helps learners understand how finance can support:
- National climate priorities
- Clean-energy transitions
- Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement
- Climate and energy investment planning
- Mobilisation of public and private finance
- Financial solutions for climate action
- Management of climate-related risks
- Sustainable infrastructure and energy investments
It is relevant to professionals working in climate policy, energy planning, sustainability, investment, public administration and development cooperation.
Language
The course is available in English.
Certificate
A certificate is available after meeting the applicable completion requirements.
View the official course page.
Public Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals
Public finance determines how governments generate revenue, allocate resources, manage debt, prepare budgets and protect societies against financial risks.
The four public-finance courses introduce learners to key public financial-management tools that can support the achievement of the SDGs.
3. Public Finance: Introduction to Debt for the SDGs
This course examines the relationship between public debt and sustainable development.
It can help learners understand:
- Why governments borrow
- How public debt supports development
- Debt sustainability
- Responsible borrowing
- Debt-related risks
- Fiscal space for the SDGs
- Connections between debt management and development priorities
- How debt instruments may be aligned with sustainable outcomes
The course is relevant to government officials, economists, finance professionals, development practitioners, researchers and students interested in sovereign finance.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is listed for the course, subject to completion requirements.
4. Public Finance: Introduction to Tax for the SDGs
Taxation provides governments with resources to finance public services, infrastructure, social protection and other development priorities.
This introductory course examines:
- The role of taxation in advancing the SDGs
- Taxation and effective governance
- Essential tax concepts and terminology
- Challenges affecting tax systems
- Potential tax-policy and administrative reforms
- Fairness and effectiveness in revenue mobilisation
- UNDP’s work to strengthen tax systems
- The UNDP Tax for SDGs Initiative
The course can be particularly useful for public officials, accountants, tax professionals, policy researchers, economists and development practitioners.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is available.
View the official course page.
5. Public Finance: Introduction to Budgeting for the SDGs
This module explains how public financial management and government budgeting can support SDG implementation.
It includes:
- Core public financial-management concepts
- Connections between national budgets and SDG targets
- Development-focused allocation of public resources
- UNDP examples of budgeting for the SDGs
- Integration of sustainable-development priorities into budget processes
- The role of planning, expenditure and performance information
UNDP developed a comprehensive self-directed e-learning course on this subject with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Learners are directed to the related UNITAR course and then returned to the UNDP module for UNDP-specific examples.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is available, subject to completion of the required components.
View the official course page.
6. Public Finance: Introduction to Insurance and Risk Financing for the SDGs
This course explores how insurance and risk-financing arrangements can protect development progress from crises, disasters and other financial shocks.
Potential learning areas include:
- Understanding risk financing
- The role of insurance in sustainable development
- Financial preparedness
- Disaster-risk financing
- Protection against economic shocks
- Management of contingent liabilities
- Public-sector approaches to risk
- Building financial resilience
- Connections between insurance and SDG implementation
The course is relevant to government officials, insurance professionals, risk managers, emergency-planning specialists, development practitioners and finance professionals.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is listed, subject to the course requirements.
Private Capital for Sustainable Development
Private investment is essential because public resources alone cannot close the global SDG financing gap.
The Academy’s private-capital courses explain how businesses, investors, intermediaries and governments can work together to create and finance investments that contribute to sustainable development.
UNDP recommends taking the three private-capital modules in sequence.
7. Introduction to Unlocking Private Capital and Aligning Business Operations for the SDGs
This course introduces UNDP’s approach to working with the private sector to mobilise capital and align business operations with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learners are introduced to:
- Why private-sector participation is necessary
- Important sustainable-investment terminology
- Approaches for mobilising private capital
- Alignment of business activities with the SDGs
- Public-private cooperation
- The role of enabling policies
- Connections between investment decisions and development outcomes
The course serves as the first module in the private-capital learning sequence.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is available.
View the official course page.
8. Unlocking Private Capital: Introduction to Accessing Capital for SDG Investment
This course focuses on the mechanisms through which organisations and projects can access capital for SDG-aligned investments.
It covers areas such as:
- The private sector’s role in achieving the SDGs
- Sustainable-investment terminology
- Networks that connect projects with finance
- Blended-finance approaches
- Financial guarantees
- Digital finance
- Approaches to accessing capital
- UNDP’s engagement with investors and financial institutions
The module helps learners understand how public and development resources can be used strategically to attract additional private capital.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is available.
View the official course page.
9. Unlocking Private Capital: Introduction to SDG Investment Project Pipelines
The availability of capital does not automatically result in sustainable investment. Investors also need credible, prepared and investable projects.
This course introduces approaches for developing SDG investment pipelines.
It addresses:
- The meaning of an investment project pipeline
- Identification of SDG-aligned opportunities
- Development of investable projects
- UNDP SDG Investor Maps
- Identification of enterprises capable of delivering investment opportunities
- Cooperation with financial and market intermediaries
- Connections between development priorities and commercial opportunities
- The importance of project preparation
The course is relevant to investment-promotion agencies, development organisations, policymakers, project developers, financial institutions and entrepreneurs.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is available.
View the official course page.
Nature and Biodiversity Finance
Biodiversity loss creates risks for governments, businesses, investors and communities. At the same time, protecting and restoring nature requires better financial planning and investment.
The Academy offers two courses addressing the relationship between nature, business and finance.
10. Learning for Nature: Introduction to Nature, Business and Finance
This course introduces the foundations of nature-related finance for public-sector and private-sector decision-makers.
It examines:
- Business dependencies on nature
- Business impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems
- Nature-related financial risks
- Nature-related opportunities
- The relationship between economic activity and ecosystem services
- Why nature should be incorporated into financial and business decisions
- The role of public and private actors in financing nature-positive outcomes
The course consists of three modules and aims to develop a foundational understanding of nature, business and finance.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is listed for the course.
View the official course page.
11. Biodiversity Finance: Designing and Implementing Finance Plans for Nature
This course addresses the development and implementation of financing plans for biodiversity and nature.
It is especially relevant to professionals involved in biodiversity planning, government finance, conservation, environmental policy and development programmes.
Key learning areas may include:
- Assessing biodiversity financing requirements
- Identifying existing financial flows
- Recognising financing gaps
- Selecting appropriate financial solutions
- Developing biodiversity finance plans
- Engaging government and non-government stakeholders
- Implementing and monitoring finance solutions
- Connecting biodiversity priorities with public and private finance
Languages
The course is available in:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Russian
Certificate
A certificate is available.
View the official course page.
Impact Measurement, Management and Finance Tracking
Sustainable finance requires evidence that investments and activities are producing credible development outcomes.
The Academy’s impact courses introduce approaches for defining, measuring, managing and reporting social, environmental and economic impact.
12. Impact Measurement and Management for SMEs
This self-paced course is specifically designed for small and medium-sized enterprises.
It equips entrepreneurs and SME managers with practical methods for:
- Defining intended impact
- Aligning business operations with sustainability objectives
- Selecting indicators
- Collecting impact information
- Using data for business decisions
- Managing positive and negative effects
- Preparing impact reports
- Communicating results to stakeholders
- Strengthening engagement with investors and partners
The course forms part of the UNDP Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator.
Learners generally require approximately seven to eight hours to complete it.
Languages
The official UNDP page identifies English and French versions, while the referenced LinkedIn overview also lists Arabic. Learners should confirm current language availability on the registration platform.
Certificate
A certificate is listed, subject to satisfying the completion conditions.
View the official course page.
13. Introduction to Impact Measurement and Management and Finance Tracking
This introductory module explains fundamental concepts related to measuring and managing sustainability impact and tracking SDG-related finance.
It focuses on UNDP approaches including:
- Impact measurement
- Impact management
- Sustainability targets
- Finance tracking
- Sustainable-finance taxonomies
- Reporting systems
- Data-collection frameworks
- Use of evidence for decision-making
- Alignment of financial activity with the SDGs
The course is relevant to government institutions, investors, businesses, development organisations, monitoring and evaluation professionals and sustainability practitioners.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is available.
View the official course page.
14. Deep Dive: Impact Measurement and Management and Finance Tracking
The deep-dive course provides more advanced instruction on impact measurement, impact management and finance tracking.
It considers how impact-management steps can be applied across the investment value chain to simplify environmental, social and governance practices and impact approaches.
The course also introduces:
- The SDG Impact Standards
- The five dimensions of impact
- Application of impact principles across investment decisions
- More advanced impact-management practices
- Finance-tracking approaches
- Integration of sustainability data into financial processes
Important Fee and Certificate Condition
The course is hosted through Coursera.
Learners may access the content without charge by selecting the Audit Course option. However, the free audit route does not include grades or a certificate.
A payment may be required to obtain the Coursera certificate. All participants must create a Coursera account.
Therefore, this course should not be promoted as providing a completely free certificate. UNDP course information
Language
English
Financing Frameworks and Islamic Finance
The final two courses address national financing structures and the use of Islamic finance to support sustainable-development priorities.
15. Introduction to Integrated National Financing Frameworks and Portfolios
Integrated National Financing Frameworks help countries connect their sustainable-development priorities with public, private, domestic and international sources of finance.
This course can help learners understand:
- The purpose of Integrated National Financing Frameworks
- Connections between national plans and financing policies
- Assessment of financing needs and challenges
- Coordination of public and private finance
- Development of coherent financing strategies
- Governance and institutional arrangements
- Monitoring and review of financing strategies
- Portfolio approaches to sustainable development
- Creation of an enabling policy environment for SDG finance
The course is relevant to government planners, finance ministries, development organisations, public-policy professionals and sustainable-finance practitioners.
Language
English
Certificate
A certificate is listed for the course.
16. Islamic Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals
This course examines how Islamic financial principles, institutions and instruments can support sustainable development.
UNDP notes that Islamic finance can play an important role in addressing the estimated annual SDG financing gap of approximately $4.3 trillion.
The course brings together the expertise of 27 subject-matter experts and includes practical exercises and real-world case studies.
Potential areas of study include:
- Foundations of Islamic finance
- Relationship between Islamic finance and sustainable development
- Shariah-compliant financial instruments
- Islamic financial institutions
- Sukuk and sustainable investment
- Social-finance mechanisms
- Country-led development priorities
- Mobilisation of capital for the SDGs
- Practical applications of Islamic finance
- Opportunities for collaboration among governments, development organisations and financial institutions
The course is hosted on edX and is particularly relevant to finance professionals, development practitioners, policymakers, Islamic-finance specialists, bankers, students and researchers.
Language
English
Certificate
The UNDP course page lists a certificate. Participants should check the edX registration page to determine whether the certificate is included in the free access route or requires a paid verified track.
View the official course page.
Course Summary
| No. | Course | Main language availability | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Sustainable Finance and the SDG Finance Academy | English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese | Yes |
| 2 | Introduction to Sustainable Finance for Climate and Energy | English | Yes |
| 3 | Introduction to Debt for the SDGs | English | Listed |
| 4 | Introduction to Tax for the SDGs | English | Yes |
| 5 | Introduction to Budgeting for the SDGs | English | Yes |
| 6 | Introduction to Insurance and Risk Financing for the SDGs | English | Listed |
| 7 | Introduction to Unlocking Private Capital | English | Yes |
| 8 | Introduction to Accessing Capital for SDG Investment | English | Yes |
| 9 | Introduction to SDG Investment Project Pipelines | English | Yes |
| 10 | Introduction to Nature, Business and Finance | English | Listed |
| 11 | Designing and Implementing Finance Plans for Nature | English, French, Spanish, Russian | Yes |
| 12 | Impact Measurement and Management for SMEs | English, French; Arabic referenced in the LinkedIn overview | Listed |
| 13 | Introduction to Impact Measurement and Finance Tracking | English | Yes |
| 14 | Deep Dive: Impact Measurement and Finance Tracking | English | Not included in free audit |
| 15 | Introduction to Integrated National Financing Frameworks | English | Listed |
| 16 | Islamic Finance for the SDGs | English | Listed; verify edX track |
Who Should Take These Courses?
The courses may be valuable for:
- Government officials
- Public-finance professionals
- Accountants and auditors
- Banking and investment professionals
- Development practitioners
- Policymakers
- Civil society professionals
- Sustainability and ESG specialists
- Climate-finance practitioners
- Biodiversity and conservation professionals
- Entrepreneurs and SME owners
- Monitoring and evaluation professionals
- Researchers
- University students and graduates
- UN and international-development personnel
- Professionals working with SDGs and national development plans
- Islamic-finance practitioners
- Insurance and risk-management professionals
The introductory courses can help learners without extensive sustainable-finance experience, while specialised and deep-dive courses may be more suitable for participants who already understand basic finance or development concepts.
Eligibility Requirements
The official Academy overview does not state a restrictive nationality, academic-degree, age, race or professional-experience requirement for accessing the self-paced learning collection.
General participation typically requires:
- Access to the internet
- A computer, tablet or compatible mobile device
- Registration on the relevant learning platform
- Ability to study in one of the available course languages
- Completion of required modules, quizzes or assessments for a certificate
- Payment where a third-party platform charges for an optional verified certificate
Individual course platforms may apply their own account, enrolment or certificate conditions.
Are the Courses Completely Free?
The Academy describes its learning opportunities as open-access, and the LinkedIn overview identifies the courses as free and self-paced.
However, learners must distinguish between:
- Free access to course content
- Free assessments
- Free completion certificates
- Paid verified certificates offered by external platforms
Most Academy course pages list certificates, but the Deep Dive course hosted on Coursera explicitly states that the free audit option does not include grades or a certificate.
For external platforms such as Coursera or edX, learners should carefully review the available enrolment tracks before registering.
Is There an Application Deadline?
No common application deadline is published for the 16-course collection.
The courses are described as self-paced online learning opportunities and are generally available through ongoing registration. Nevertheless:
- Individual courses may be updated, temporarily closed or moved to another platform.
- External platforms may change their enrolment or certificate arrangements.
- Language editions may not always open simultaneously.
- Learners should register while their preferred course is available.
How to Register
The general registration process is:
- Visit the UNDP SDG Finance Academy.
- Review the available courses.
- Select the course relevant to your professional or academic goals.
- Open the official course information page.
- Follow the “Go to course” or enrolment link.
- Create an account on the relevant learning platform.
- Select the appropriate free or certificate track.
- Complete the modules and required assessments.
- Download or claim the certificate where available.
Applicants should use the official UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub and recognised partner platforms rather than unofficial registration websites.
Recommended Learning Path
Learners who are new to sustainable finance may follow this sequence:
Stage 1: Build the Foundation
Begin with:
- Introduction to Sustainable Finance and the SDG Finance Academy
- Introduction to Sustainable Finance for Climate and Energy
Stage 2: Select a Specialisation
Choose one or more pathways:
- Public finance
- Private capital
- Nature and biodiversity finance
- Impact measurement
- Integrated National Financing Frameworks
- Islamic finance
Stage 3: Complete Related Courses in Sequence
For private capital, follow UNDP’s recommended sequence:
- Introduction to Unlocking Private Capital and Aligning Business Operations
- Introduction to SDG Investment Project Pipelines
- Introduction to Accessing Capital for SDG Investment
Stage 4: Apply the Learning
Participants can apply their knowledge by:
- Reviewing national or organisational financing strategies
- Developing SDG-related performance indicators
- Strengthening public-budget alignment
- Designing sustainable-investment pipelines
- Improving ESG and impact measurement
- Supporting biodiversity finance planning
- Exploring Islamic financial instruments
- Integrating sustainable finance into organisational decision-making
Value of the Certificates
Certificates can help learners demonstrate:
- Continuing professional development
- Knowledge of sustainable-finance principles
- Familiarity with SDG financing approaches
- Understanding of public or private finance tools
- Commitment to sustainability and development
- Capacity in impact measurement or biodiversity finance
Certificates may be added to:
- Curriculum vitae
- LinkedIn profiles
- Professional-development records
- Employment or fellowship applications
- Staff-training records
- Organisational learning portfolios
Completion certificates do not constitute university degrees, academic diplomas or professional licences. Their principal value is professional development and evidence of course completion.
Conclusion
The UNDP SDG Finance Academy’s 16 self-paced courses provide a substantial learning opportunity for people seeking to understand how finance can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The collection covers sustainable-finance foundations, public debt, taxation, budgeting, insurance, private-capital mobilisation, investment pipelines, nature finance, biodiversity financing, impact measurement, Integrated National Financing Frameworks and Islamic finance.
The courses are accessible to a global audience and most offer completion certificates. However, learners should check each course’s current registration page because the availability of free certificates can vary, particularly where a course is hosted by Coursera, edX or another external platform.
There is no single closing date for the collection. Interested learners can review the courses and begin through the official UNDP SDG Finance Academy website.
