The UN Women EmPower Academy is an innovative online learning initiative designed to equip young people across Asia and the Pacific with the technical and transferable skills required to lead green and digital transitions. The program provides a hands-on, interactive environment for participants to develop competencies in core areas such as data literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), project management, and green entrepreneurship. Through this multidisciplinary approach, the Academy enables youth to design inclusive, gender-responsive solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges. It targets students, activists, and early-career professionals seeking practical skills to make a tangible impact on climate action and sustainable development. The program runs from January to March 2026 with a flexible commitment of three hours per week.
UN Women EmPower Academy 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | UN Women (Online Learning Initiative) |
| Program Level | Professional Training/Certificate Program |
| Duration | Three Months (January – March 2026) |
| Target Audience | Young People (Age 15–34) from Asia-Pacific |
| Focus | Green & Digital Skills for Climate Action |
| Commitment | Minimum 3 hours per week (online) |
| Instruction Language | English |
| Key Requirement | Demonstrated engagement in climate/community initiatives |
| Application Deadline | December 16, 2025 |
UN Women EmPower Academy Details
The Academy’s design emphasizes practical outcomes, ensuring every participant emerges with skills directly applicable to real-world challenges.
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Learning is delivered through modular pathways, allowing participants to tailor their experience to specific career objectives, from becoming an ultimate green-skilled professional to a focused green data analyst. The content covers the ethical and inclusive integration of digital tools, ensuring solutions are effective and equitable.
Benefits and Specific Training Award Tiers
The Academy’s benefits are primarily focused on knowledge transfer, skill acquisition, and professional networking, preparing youth to implement impactful initiatives in their communities.
Tier 1: Core Comprehensive Training and Project Leadership
This tier represents the highest level of commitment and results in the most comprehensive deliverable, preparing the participant for immediate professional application.
- Value: The Ultimate Green-Skilled Young Professional Pathway (3 months).
- Criteria: Comprehensive training covering data, AI, project management, and green entrepreneurship.
- Value: Complete Project Proposal or Sustainable Business Plan.
- Criteria: The final output of the comprehensive pathway, representing a fully developed, evidence-based solution.
- Value: Capacity to lead gender-responsive and inclusive environmental projects.
- Tier 2: Specialized Digital and Entrepreneurial Pathways
This tier focuses on deep-diving into specific skill sets with focused practical outcomes and concrete deliverables.
- The Green Data Analyst (1.5 months): Final output is a data dashboard and advocacy brief.
- The Green AI Analyst (2 months): Final output is an AI-powered climate adaptation solution using no-code tools.
- The Green Entrepreneur (2 months): Final output is a business model and three-slide pitch deck for a sustainable green business.
- Acquisition of no-code tool skills (Google Sheets, Web GIS, Teachable Machine, Custom GPTs) for innovative climate-focused outputs.
Tier 3: General Professional and Network Development
These benefits relate to the enhanced professional standing and long-term network cultivation resulting from the Academy.
- Enhanced technical and transferable skills relevant to climate action and digital transitions.
- Access to networks with like-minded youth across the Asia-Pacific region.
- Ability to translate data analysis and climate forecasts into actionable advocacy briefs and youth-driven campaigns.
- Development of a framework to integrate ethical, gender-responsive, and inclusive practices in AI for youth-led climate initiatives.
Eligibility Requirements for UN Women EmPower Academy 2026
The Academy targets young people from the Asia-Pacific region who are already active in community and environmental spaces. No technical background is required.
- Academic/Leadership:
- Must be a young person aged 15–34.
- Must be actively engaged in one of the following: Climate advocacy and environmental initiatives, Community development projects, or Civic technology and innovation.
- Candidates are expected to bring curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to engage in practical problem-solving.
- Study Status: No prior experience in AI, coding, or data analysis is required.
- Visa Status: Open to young people from the Asia-Pacific region.
- Program Admission:
- Strong encouragement for applications from: Young women and gender-diverse youth, Persons with disabilities, and Indigenous youth.
- Participants can select a single pathway or combine multiple pathways based on their career objectives.
How to Apply for UN Women EmPower Academy 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process is straightforward, focusing on the candidate’s existing engagement and potential for leadership.
- Review Eligibility: Confirm you are aged 15–34, from the Asia-Pacific region, and actively engaged in climate, community, or civic tech initiatives.
- Access Application Form: Locate the official Candidate Application Form (link implied by context: “EmPower Academy Application”).
- Complete Submission: Carefully complete the form, detailing your demonstrated engagement in climate action, community initiatives, and potential for leadership in green and digital transitions.
- Submit Before Deadline: Ensure the completed application form is submitted by the deadline of 16 December 2025.
Application Deadline: December 16, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main goal of the UN Women EmPower Academy?
The main goal is to equip young people in Asia and the Pacific with the technical and transferable skills in data, AI, and green entrepreneurship necessary to lead gender-responsive green and digital transitions and make a tangible impact on climate action.
2. What are the age and geographic limits for applicants?
The Academy is open to young people aged 15–34 who are nationals and residents of countries within the Asia-Pacific region.
3. What is the time commitment required for the Academy?
Participants are expected to dedicate a minimum of three hours per week to the program, in addition to time for pre-readings, assignments, and final project work.
4. Is prior experience in coding or data analysis necessary to apply?
No, prior experience in AI, coding, or data analysis is not required. Candidates only need to bring commitment and curiosity for problem-solving.
5. When does the EmPower Academy run and when is the application deadline?
The program will run for three months, from January to March 2026. The application deadline for interested candidates is December 16, 2025.
6. What is the difference between “The Ultimate Green-Skilled Young Professional” and other pathways?
The Ultimate Green-Skilled Professional is the most comprehensive pathway (3 months), covering all four modules (data, AI, project management, and green entrepreneurship), culminating in a complete project proposal or business plan.
7. Which key no-code tools are participants trained to use?
Participants are trained to apply no-code tools such as Google Sheets, Web GIS, Teachable Machine, and Custom GPTs to design innovative climate-focused outputs.
8. What is the final output of “The Green AI Analyst” pathway?
The final output for The Green AI Analyst pathway (2 months) is an AI-powered climate adaptation solution for applications like forecasting or biodiversity monitoring.
9. Which demographic groups are strongly encouraged to apply?
The program strongly encourages applications from Young women and gender-diverse youth, Persons with disabilities, and Indigenous youth.
10. How will graduates of the EmPower Academy benefit professionally?
Graduates leave with enhanced technical and transferable skills in AI/data/entrepreneurship, the capacity to lead gender-responsive and inclusive environmental projects, and networks with like-minded youth across the Asia-Pacific region.
