Six UNDP Crowdfunding Academies to Launch Worldwide

In an effort to strengthen resource mobilization, UNDP kickstarted six Crowdfunding Academies (CFA) across the globe. This initiative aims to equip teams with the expertise required to organize and launch successful crowdfunding campaigns – focusing not only on fundraising, but also community building, creating greater visibility for UNDP’s work and testing various innovations. 

The response to the open call for the UNDP Crowdfunding Academy (CFA) has been impressive – nearly 250 applications – with some applications coming from UNDP Country and Regional Offices worldwide, as well as UNDP global teams. They are all eager to mobilize funds for projects aligned with key thematic areas such as inequality, climate and nature, and crisis and conflict.  

The CFA, a joint initiative between the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions, and UNDP AltFinLab, a flagship project at UNDP Europe and Central Asia promoting alternative finance for development. The first CFA started in 2015; and in the last four years that we are running the global open call, we have organized four academies with over 50 teams participated; which resulted in 17 crowdfunding campaigns launched and over USD 3.1 million mobilized. 

The 2024 UNDP Crowdfunding Academy (CFA) will be conducted in two phases, catering to six cohorts: a Global CFA, a joint CFA for Europe, Central Asia & Asia-Pacific, a CFA for Latin America and the Carribean, a CFA for Arab States, and finally two CFAs for Africa, a general and thematic one focused on Nature, Climate and Energy. 

The first phase will focus primarily on capacity-building, giving selected participants the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use individual giving and crowdfunding for their projects and initiatives. This interactive two-month online training program will cover diverse crowdfunding approaches, campaign strategy development, partner engagement, and communication tactics. The curriculum, tailored to meet the specific needs of participants, comprises 13+ interactive sessions on SparkBlue, each complemented by informative videos, quizzes and assignments to enhance learning. Additionally, participants will receive ongoing mentorship from a pool of crowdfunding experts, ensuring personalized support. 

Following the capacity-building phase, a total of around 10 teams will be selected for the second phase, Campaign Accelerator, to advance their skills to the next level by launching a crowdfunding campaign in 2024. Participants will be chosen based on demonstrated commitment & interest, campaign idea, budget and other resources, and team cohesion. During this phase, teams will work on fine-tuning their ideas, building their campaign strategy, forging partnerships, and creating their communications strategy. Each team will work with a dedicated group of mentors over the course of two months via interactive and practical 1:1 training sessions, aimed at accelerating their campaign ideas.  

Crucially, mentorship lies at the heart of the CFA experience. Participants receive ongoing support from crowdfunding experts, guiding them through the intricacies of fundraising campaign planning and execution. With access to UNDP’s fundraising platforms and operational support, participants will be equipped to create compelling campaign pages and engage donors securely and reliably. 

The impact of the CFA extends far beyond individual projects, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within UNDP and beyond. As teams gear up to launch their campaigns, they are poised to drive meaningful change and realize their project goals, amplifying UNDP’s impact in communities worldwide. 

Stay tuned for updates as upcoming individual giving campaigns take shape, furthering UNDP’s mission to address global challenges and create positive impact for communities worldwide.