Explore UNESCO fully funded online education courses offering free certificates. Learn which courses are open for enrollment, who can join, and how to apply.
Overview
UNESCO offers a wide selection of fully funded online courses designed to strengthen global education, climate resilience, science, culture, and digital innovation. Many of these courses are self-paced, free of charge, and provide free certificates upon successful completion.
These programmes are created in collaboration with global partners and are accessible to learners of all ages, including students, educators, researchers, and development practitioners.
Below is a detailed guide to the top UNESCO free online courses currently open for enrollment, along with a summary of finalized and upcoming courses learners can explore.
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Summary Table of UNESCO Fully Funded Online Education Courses – Free Certificates
| Course Title | Code | Status | Certificate | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Citizenship Education for Sustainable Development | UNESCO-04FR | Ongoing | Yes | Sep 7, 2021 |
| Educadores para la Ciudadanía Mundial | SHS-03 | Open for Enrollment | Yes | Jan 1, 2030 |
| Open Educational Resources (OER) Development | UNESCO-07 | Ongoing | Yes | Jun 21, 2022 |
| African Drought Atlas Methodology | CliMWaR03 | Finalized | Yes | Aug 7, 2024 |
| ICT Essentials Course for Teachers | UNESCO-06 | Ongoing | Yes | Jun 10, 2021 |
| Flood Hazard and Exposure Mapping | Hydro-Resilience_01 | Open for Enrollment | Yes | Anytime |
| Water Diplomacy and Transboundary Aquifer Management | GGRETA04 | Open for Enrollment | Yes | Oct 1, 2024 |
| AI Education for Water Resources | IHP-ROK-001 | Open for Enrollment | Yes | Jan 1, 2030 |
Top UNESCO Courses Open for Enrollment
Global Citizenship Education for Sustainable Development (UNESCO-04FR)
A comprehensive course that trains educators and young leaders on peacebuilding, justice, cultural understanding, and sustainability.
Ideal for: Teachers, NGOs, youth leaders, policy enthusiasts.
Open Educational Resources (OER) Development (UNESCO-07)
This course equips participants with skills to create, curate and manage open educational resources.
Ideal for: Educators, curriculum developers, digital learning creators.
Educadores para la Ciudadanía Mundial (SHS-03)
A Spanish-language programme promoting social justice and inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Flood Hazard and Exposure Mapping (Hydro-Resilience_01)
A technical course teaching hazard mapping and exposure assessment to improve flood resilience.
Ideal for: Engineers, environmental officers, disaster managers.
Water Diplomacy and Transboundary Aquifer Management (GGRETA04)
A specialized training on water governance and cross-border water resource management.
Cookbook for Open Hardware Sensors for Water Resources Management
A technical, practical course teaching participants how to design and build open-source sensor technology.
Status: Anytime, self-paced.
Other Notable Courses (Finalized or Ongoing Only)
These courses may not currently accept new learners but offer valuable content:
Ethical Research Practices for Junior and Senior Researchers
Two versions available (CharterJunior, CharterSenior), focusing on integrity, ethics, and responsible scientific conduct.
Climate Risk-Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA Series)
Available in multiple languages including English, French, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Landslide Risk Assessment, Monitoring and Forecasting
A specialized course for geologists and disaster response technical teams.
ICT Essentials for Teachers (UNESCO-06)
Enhances digital teaching skills, ICT literacy, and classroom technology integration.
Benefits of UNESCO Online Courses
- Fully funded
- Free online access
- Free certificates upon completion for most courses
- Open to global participants
- Self-paced and flexible
- Available in multiple languages
- Backed by UNESCO’s global expertise
How to Apply
Applying for a UNESCO online course is simple:
- Visit the official UNESCO online learning platform.
- Browse the list of courses open for enrollment.
- Select your preferred course.
- Create an account or log in.
- Enroll and start learning immediately.
No academic background or professional experience is required for most programmes.
For more opportunities like these, be sure to follow us on Facebook, join our WhatsApp Group and Channel, and connect with us on LinkedIn, and Follow our Twitter Page.
ALSO CHECK: UNCTAD Fully Remote Economic Affairs Research Internships 2026 – Apply Now
FAQs
Are UNESCO online courses free?
Yes. Most UNESCO online courses are fully funded and cost nothing to enroll.
Do the courses offer certificates?
Yes. Many courses offer free digital certificates upon completion.
Who can apply?
Students, educators, professionals, youth activists, and anyone interested in global development, climate, or education.
Are the courses self-paced?
Most of them are fully self-paced and can be completed anytime.
Are the certificates recognized?
Certificates are issued by UNESCO or its official partners and are globally recognized for professional and academic use.
Keywords
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