SDG Blockchain
Accelerator
Scaling practical emerging technology solutions for sustainable development
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR
Connecting development challenges with technology solutions
The SDG Blockchain Accelerator is a global initiative led by UNDP Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab) that helps develop and scale practical solutions powered by blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Accelerator connects UN teams facing concrete development and implementation challenges within active programmes with leading tech partners and Solution Makers that can help address them. Together, matched teams move through a structured acceleration process that develops practical solutions with a pathway to implementation to strengthen services and deliver greater transparency, efficiency, inclusion, and accountability.
Across two global cohorts, 46 solutions have reached implementation-ready status, 70% are now embedded in ongoing national and regional programmes, and 12 are already being unrolled in country contexts.
development challenges submitted
Solution Maker applications
teams participated across 2 cohorts
implementation-ready solutions graduated
of solutions embedded in existing UN projects
PROGRAMME TIMELINE
From open call to scaled deployment
01/ OPEN CALL
Applications and selection
Jul–Sep 2026
02/ TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Acceleration
Oct 2026 – Feb 2027
03/ DEPLOYMENT
Implementation and scale
Feb – May 2027
04/ BEYOND
Continued
support
From Jun 2027
COHORT 3
Bring your development challenge to the SDG Blockchain Accelerator
Selected teams will be connected with relevant technology partners and receive technical expertise, implementation support and access to wider ecosystem resources, with potential catalytic funding for suitable projects. The Accelerator will assess each team’s needs across solution fit, knowledge, capacity and funding, and tailor the support journey accordingly.
PROCESS
How the Accelerator works
01
Identifying development challenges
UNDP and other UN entities are invited to submit challenges rooted in existing programmes, portfolios, and country priorities. These should align with one or more of the Accelerator’s focus areas, such as digital payments, digital identity, traceability and supply chains, or data and privacy, and should represent areas where emerging technologies could help improve delivery, transparency, efficiency, inclusion, or accountability. The Accelerator assesses applications based on their programme readiness, team commitment, senior management support, implementation potential and fit with the programme’s focus areas.
02
Matching challenges with solutions
The Accelerator works with leading technology and ecosystem partners to identify solution providers whose products or production-ready prototypes, technical expertise and delivery capabilities align with the challenge. Companies are assessed against maturity, service fit, geographic relevance, and readiness to work with UN and public-sector counterparts. Teams are then matched through a structured selection process.
03
Acceleration programme
During acceleration, matched teams receive technical expertise, implementation support, solution-development guidance and access to relevant partner resources. Support is tailored to each team’s needs across solution fit, knowledge and capacity. The programme helps teams develop viable solutions and practical pathways to implementation.
04
Pathways to scale
Following acceleration, support can continue around partnership development, procurement pathways, resource mobilization and implementation, depending on each project’s needs and readiness. Suitable projects may also be considered for potential catalytic funding and opportunities available through the wider partner ecosystem.
COHORT 3 REGIONAL BRIEFINGS
Considering Applying?
Join a regional online briefing to understand what Cohort 3 is looking for, explore relevant examples, walk through the application process, and discuss whether an existing project or implementation challenge could be a fit.
03
SEPTEMBER 2026
Arab States
Completed
08
SEPTEMBER 2026
10
SEPTEMBER 2026
15
SEPTEMBER 2026
Unable to attend your regional session? You are welcome to join another briefing that better suits your schedule.
FOCUS AREAS
Development challenges the Accelerator can support
The Accelerator focuses on practical implementation challenges where emerging technologies can improve trust, transparency, efficiency, inclusion, and accountability. Projects may span one or more focus areas depending on the development challenge and implementation context.
Digital Payments
Payment systems, cash transfers, remittances, purpose-bound transfers, financial inclusion tools, settlement layers, aid disbursement, and last-mile delivery.
Digital Identity
Credentials, beneficiary verification, trusted access to services, privacy-preserving identity systems, eligibility records, and fraud reduction.
Traceability & Supply Chains
Product tracking, waste recovery, energy certificates, food and agricultural value chains, carbon credits, procurement records, and proof of responsible production.
Responsible Data Use & Privacy
Data integrity, consent management, audit trails, monitoring and reporting systems, privacy-preserving data exchange, verification, and accountable use of sensitive records.
Technology layer supporting these focus areas
The Accelerator draws on partner expertise across blockchain and AI infrastructure to help teams identify the right technical approach for their development challenge.
Blockchain infrastructure and digital trust
Smart contracts, tokenization, verifiable records, digital identity, traceability, payments and settlement infrastructure, and transparent financial flows that strengthen trust and accountability.
AI and Decentralized Computing
Federated learning, privacy-preserving AI, customized models and agents, auditable workflows, AI-enabled public services, and cloud or decentralized computing infrastructure that strengthens institutional control over data, models and systems.
SELECTION SIGNALS
What we’re looking for
Projects where blockchain, AI, or related emerging technologies could help address a clearly defined development or implementation challenge.
Strong projects:
Are connected to an active programme or portfolio within UNDP or another UN entity, with a credible pathway to implementation.
Address practical challenges related to the key focus areas.
Have a committed project team and support from senior leadership.
Are ready to collaborate with technology partners and solution providers.
Show potential to generate measurable development impact and learning.
Projects do not need to have a predefined technology solution. The Accelerator is designed to help teams explore, assess, and develop implementation pathways together with matched technology partners.
PARTICIPATION
Who can participate
Challenge Owners
UNDP Country Offices, regional bureaux, and other UN entities that bring forward development challenges and work with matched Solution Makers.
Solution Makers
Technology companies and solution providers contributing mature products, technical expertise and implementation support through partner ecosystems.
Partners
Organizations contributing technical expertise, mentorship, infrastructure, ecosystem access, solution sourcing, and implementation support.
SPOTLIGHT
Case studies
ARMENIA
Blockchain is helping create trusted records of plastic recovery, connecting local recycling efforts with global demand for verified environmental action.
Take the next step
GET IN TOUCH
Interested in collaborating?
Connect with the Accelerator team to explore participation, partnerships, or opportunities to support implementation.
FEATURED RESOURCE
New Tech, New Partners
A snapshot of UNDP’s Blockchain practice
Partners Ecosystem
The Accelerator draws on UNDP’s growing engagement with the blockchain and emerging technology ecosystem. Several Accelerator partners are also members of the UNDP Blockchain Advisory Group, established to strengthen strategic dialogue on the responsible use of blockchain and identify opportunities for practical collaboration.
Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA)
BGA is a global nonprofit initiative focused on using blockchain technology to address real-world societal challenges. BGA is the Accelerator’s strategic partner, supporting ecosystem engagement, programme visibility and connections across the broader blockchain-for-impact community.
Cardano Foundation
The Cardano Foundation is an independent, Swiss-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing Cardano as a public digital infrastructure across industries. The Foundation develops infrastructure tooling, strengthens operational resilience, and drives real-world use cases and sound governance.
In the Accelerator, it contributes blockchain ecosystem expertise, digital trust infrastructure perspectives, and access to solution builders working on scalable, verifiable systems.
Stellar Development Foundation (SDF)
SDF is a nonprofit organization working to create more equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology and the Stellar network. In the Accelerator, SDF contributes expertise around blockchain-based payments, asset issuance, and transparent financial flows for delivery use cases.
FLock Technology Holdings (FLock.io)
FLock.io is a privacy-preserving AI research and infrastructure company headquartered in London. In the Accelerator, FLock.io leads projects building solutions that leverage federated learning and decentralised AI to solve data, governance, and implementation challenges across the developing world.
DFINITY Foundation
The DFINITY Foundation develops the Internet Computer, a decentralized cloud infrastructure for applications and AI agents. In the Accelerator, DFINITY contributes expertise around sovereign cloud, secure compute, decentralized hosting, and AI-enabled application infrastructure.
Partisia Foundation
The Partisia Foundation is an independent Swiss foundation stewarding the Partisia network and supporting the development and adoption of privacy-preserving digital infrastructure. In the Accelerator, Partisia contributes expertise around multiparty computation (MPC), confidential data processing, digital identity, and privacy-preserving approaches for data and AI applications.
Project Catalyst
Project Catalyst is Cardano’s decentralized innovation engine and funding programme, supporting community-approved ideas and projects building on Cardano.
EMURGO Labs
EMURGO Labs develops blockchain products and infrastructure that support adoption across the Cardano ecosystem and EVM-compatible chains.
Sui Foundation
The Sui Foundation supports the growth and adoption of the Sui ecosystem by educating, activating, funding, and promoting builders and creators.