LocationsAfrica SDG Finance Academy
October 1, 2024
The SDG Finance Academy serves as UNDP's innovative platform aimed at enhancing the capacity of both internal staff and external partners in sustainable finance. Held in Addis Ababa, the Academy focused on equipping participants with essential knowledge, skills, and tools to understand and shape sustainable finance instruments and policy reforms. The training featured new and innovative blended finance approaches and fostered knowledge sharing among Country Office colleagues.
Key objectives of the Academy included understanding UNDP's sustainable finance approach, its alignment with SDGs, and designing customized solutions to engage private and public sector partners. Approximately 90 participants from UNDP HQ and Country Offices, including Deputy Resident Representatives, national economists, senior economic advisors, program specialists, and analysts, took part in the sessions.
Thematic areas covered during the training encompassed climate action, poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth, energy, crisis resilience, environment and gender equality. These topics are integral to UNDP's strategic frameworks such as Agenda 2030 and the African Union 2063 Flagships for Sustainable Development.
The training notably emphasized developing Moonshots tailored to each Country Office's sustainable finance goals, promoting collaboration with governments and private sector partners. Discussions also explored innovative financing models beyond traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA), particularly relevant for countries like The Gambia.
Immediate follow-up actions from the training included diversifying funding sources through Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF’s), integrating private sector engagement, exploring partnerships for managing SDG impacts, and advancing initiatives such as carbon markets in The Gambia.
The insights gained from the training underscored UNDP's strategic role in aligning public and private resources towards achieving SDGs, thereby empowering Country Offices like The Gambia to spearhead impactful sustainable development initiatives.