UNDP Partners with Exponential Science Foundation for Government Blockchain Academy Launch

UNDP and Exponential Science Foundation Join Forces for Government Blockchain Academy

On September 16, 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a strategic partnership with the Exponential Science Foundation aimed at launching the Government Blockchain Academy. This initiative is set to drive innovation within the public sector by creating specialized educational programs and implementation strategies that leverage blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

With a strong focus on addressing specific developmental challenges, the Academy will revolve around five key pillars: 1) Inclusive Digital Finance, aimed at enhancing access to financial services through secure digital payment systems; 2) Transparent Governance, which will improve integrity and combat corruption through secure, tamper-proof records and digital transactions; 3) Supply Chain Integrity, focused on promoting traceability and accountability in public procurement and logistics using decentralized verification; 4) Climate Resilience, which will apply blockchain-based smart contracts and digital tokens to facilitate transparent climate financing, including tracking carbon credits; and 5) Digital Identity Solutions, providing individuals with reliable and verifiable digital credentials to enhance access to services.

The official launch of the Government Blockchain Academy’s first national programs is scheduled for 2026, with preparatory work, curriculum design, and stakeholder engagement beginning in 2025. The formal announcement will occur during the TOKEN2049 event in Singapore on October 1-2, 2025. The launch will include a roundtable discussion aimed at bringing together protocol developers and infrastructure providers to garner support for this global educational initiative.

Irena Cerovic, head of the UNDP Innovation Team for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the organization’s commitment to institutional innovation: "We are dedicated to creating spaces for governments to explore and experiment with cutting-edge technologies. The Government Blockchain Academy embodies this spirit, providing a pathway for countries to tackle complex development challenges in new ways while transitioning from experimentation to implementation, thereby enhancing transparency, inclusion, and resilience."

Professor Paolo Tasca, Executive Director of Exponential Science, reiterated the initiative’s collective approach: "This is not merely an educational effort. It represents a comprehensive strategy for public innovation. By uniting diverse partners under one framework, we ensure that governments possess the necessary tools and talent to navigate the next wave of digital transformation."

The Academy will offer in-person workshops, online modules, and leadership forums tailored to meet the needs of local and public sector contexts. Government participants will benefit from curated resources, personalized incubation, expert consultations, and guidance through a digital learning program. Each government team will receive structured support, starting from identifying use cases and developing requirements, to collaborating with Academy experts and sector partners. The result will be collaboratively designed solution workshops that align decision-makers and technical stakeholders to co-create high-impact blockchain initiatives addressing national priorities.

In its role as a global hub, the Government Blockchain Academy will facilitate dialogue, experimentation, and learning, empowering officials to engage with cutting-edge technologies and develop policies that reflect digital inclusion, security, and sovereignty.

For further information or to express interest in participation, please visit the Altfinlab – Innovation Community Platform at altfinlab.com. Media inquiries can be directed to Margot Basker at [email protected].