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Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development Academy
The Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development (D4S) Academy 2026 is a global forum dedicated to exploring how digital transformation is being harnessed to accelerate progress towards sustainable development. It builds on UNSSC's pioneering work with UN Environment on the Digital4Sustainability Learning Path.
This year’s Academy focuses on understanding AI’s role in shaping sustainable development outcomes.
We are pleased to offer a limited number of full scholarships for the D4S Academy 2026. The criteria and the application process are described at the end of this page.
In 2025, the Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development Academy introduced participants to the broader landscape of digital transformation and its implications for sustainable development. Building on this foundation, the 2026 edition focuses on artificial intelligence as a key driver shaping how systems operate, decisions are made, and public institutions deliver.
This focus draws on ongoing work across the Digital4Sustainability learning path and reflects the increasing relevance of AI in programme design, policy advisory, and operational delivery. For the UN system and its partners, the priority is to engage with these developments in ways that strengthen delivery and remain aligned with societal values aimed at promoting peace, human dignity, equality, and justice worldwide while achieving sustainable development objectives.
The Academy is structured to move from understanding to application. It begins by situating AI within global transformations, then examines implications for multilateral action and sustainable development, and finally focuses on governance, practical application, and organizational uptake. The programme combines plenary discussions, working group exercises, and peer exchange, with a consistent focus on translating insight into execution.
Upon successfully participating in the Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development Academy 2026, participants will:
- Understand the nature and scale of societal changes driven by AI;
- Analyse how these changes affect the work of the UN system and its partners, including their ability to strengthen societal values of peace, human dignity, equality, and justice; and
- Be able to implement practical steps to leverage AI responsibly and effectively for sustainable development.
This Academy is designed using experiential online learning methodologies that combine panel discussions featuring high-level speakers with interactive opportunities for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and hands-on practice sessions.
Most of the virtual Academy is synchronous with limited mandatory pre-readings. Participants will engage with a wide range of experts inputs during live webinars, reflect in small-groups during breakout activities, prepare for learner-led and peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges, and apply the knowledge and skills they have during co-creation activities.
This Academy places a premium on fun and relationship-building. During networking sessions, participants showcase their work, play games, and engage in other social activities.
D4S Academy participants will explore key topics in-depth through plenary sessions, applied use cases, hands-on practice sessions, and side events on trending topics. Participants will have an opportunity to present their solution to a real-world sustainable development challenge by participating in a hackathon.
Here is a glimpse of the D4S Academy 2025 held under the UN Summer Academy umbrella:
Participants will be selected based on their professional/academic profile and motivation statements. When signing up, make sure you dedicate enough time to fill in all the required information, especially at the question: “Tell us a bit more about why you are applying for this course”.
The cohort will comprise UN professionals; representatives from national and local government bodies; members of civil society, academia; and sustainability entrepreneurs from the private sector. More specifically, successful applicants to the Academy will be professionals with 10-15 years of experience working on digital transformation for sustainable development.
The selection board will make sure geographic regions, gender, and sectors – including UN and non-UN - are well represented in the cohort.
IMPORTANT
- Attendance requirements: Participants must commit to attending all three days of the Academy. Certificates will be awarded to participants who meet the attendance rate criteria for the Academy.
- Technical requirements: Participants will need to access the academy through a desktop PC or laptop with an internet connection, as well as a functioning webcam, microphone, and speakers. Internet speed and volume should be sufficient for four to five hours of video-conferencing each day. Due to the interactive and co-creative format of the Academy, it is not possible to participate using a smartphone
The course fee of USD1000 for individual participants covers the following:
- Three days of online training, including a technical orientation session on how to navigate the virtual platform and use collaborative tools for the course.
- Exclusive access to the UNSSC online social learning environment with asynchronous learning activities, background materials, and the opportunity to connect with and learn from peers.
- All course materials, references, and contacts.
Participants are expected to cover all costs related to their participation in the Academy (computer, Internet access, any other IT equipment, etc.).
Scholarships
The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) will be offering 15 full scholarships for the D4S Academy 2026, covering 100% of the program fees. The application process is highly competitive, and the selection committee will make decisions based on candidate profile, suitability to the program, and geographic diversity, among other factors.
Application Steps:
- Step 1: Register for the D4S Academy by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button at the top of the page. Once your course registration is completed (pending approval), you will receive an automated confirmation email. Your scholarship application will not be taken into consideration if you have not registered on this page first.
- Step 2: After registering for the course, complete the Scholarship Application Form (Google Form) using the same email address you used during registration.
The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday,10 July 2026.
