During the 4-week course, participants will explore four modules. The first one will focus on the connection between the concept of sustainable development as a goal to achieve and digital financial technological innovations (FinTech) as tools to be applied. The second module will analyze cases from the business sector with special focus on Green FinTech and evaluate existing business models by showcasing cases about, among others, renewable energy investments and financing, international shipping, global supply chains. The third module will evaluate the challenges regulatory authorities and the public sector face with the rapid evolution of digitalization, including the financial sector, and showcase best e-government practices from ‘highly digitalized’ governments and authorities to motivate all participants to turn challenges into opportunities. The fourth module will analyze existing development projects that implement digital financial technologies for creating sustainable and inclusive economies and societies, including among others the use of mobile cashless payments by small-scale traders to harness their business.  

The modules will be delivered in live lectures and discussion forums, in the form of reading materials, case studies in written and video format. In order to ensure the best possible outreach, the course will be delivered through e-learning via UNITAR’s online platform. The course concludes with a written assignment of a brief project plan applying a chosen digital financial technology in the participants’ own area of work for contributing to one or more of the SDGs. All participants will receive feedback from experts in the area, and leave with essential knowledge and hands-on experience to create a digital and sustainable environment.