The REDD+ Academy is a coordinated REDD+ capacity development initiative led by the UN-REDD Programme and the UNEP Environmental Education and Training Unit, which seeks to match the scale of the global climate change mitigation challenge and enable systematic, focused capacity development to deliver REDD+ on the ground. The Academy offers both in-person and online training.
The development of the REDD+ Academy responds to needs expressed by UN-REDD Programme partner countries for a regionally focused education initiative for those involved in national REDD+ programmes. Accordingly, the design of the REDD+ Academy is guided by the following principles:
- To engage new REDD+ practitioners in key policy and economic sectors relevant for reducing deforestation and forest degradation,
- To build on existing REDD+ capacity development initiatives,
- To ensure the delivery of a long-term and sustainable learning experience, and
- To adopt a demand-driven, region specific approach to training tied to REDD+ implementation; and
- To facilitate South-South cooperation.
In-person sessions last 10 days and take place in rotating locations in different host countries. Participation is by invitation only and limited to participants from UN-REDD partner countries.
An e-course version of the UN-REDD Programme's REDD+ Academy has also been developed. The course is free and open to all. Upon successfully passing the final exam, a certificate will be issued.