Develop and Implement Science, Technology and Innovation for SDGs Roadmaps – Level I

Develop and Implement Science, Technology and Innovation for SDGs Roadmaps – Level I is a free, self-paced online course developed jointly by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Division for Sustainable Development Goals (UN DESA/DSDG) and UNITAR. The course is designed to strengthen the capacity of national stakeholders to develop and implement Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) roadmaps that support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Core Content

The course introduces the purpose and structure of STI for SDGs Roadmaps and explains the six-step process used to develop and implement them. Learners explore roadmap design, stakeholder consultation, government roles, donor support, available methodologies, pilot-country experiences, and international support mechanisms. The course also uses the fictional country of Southlands to demonstrate how different stages of the roadmap process can be applied in practice.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to explain the role of STI roadmaps within national and global SDG agendas, distinguish between different roadmap levels, and understand the six steps involved in roadmap development. The course also builds practical understanding of stakeholder engagement, policy coordination, government and donor roles, methodology selection, and the types of support needed to move STI roadmaps from planning into implementation.

Target Learners

The course is designed for stakeholders involved in developing or implementing national and local STI for SDGs Roadmaps. It is particularly relevant for officials from central agencies and ministries responsible for national development plans, science and technology, innovation, or SDG implementation, as well as line ministries, specialised agencies, taskforces, development partners, and other organisations supporting national sustainable development planning.

Learning Format

Hosted by UNITAR, the course is delivered as a free, self-paced Massive Open Online Course in English with an estimated study time of around three hours. The learning experience is interactive and combines structured course content, the fictional Southlands case, examples from countries developing STI roadmaps, practice quizzes, and a final graded assessment. The 2026 edition is web-based and available from 24 February to 31 December 2026, with successful completion of the final assessment serving as the basis for certification.

Additional Benefits

The course is based on the UN Guidebook and Operational Note on Implementing Science, Technology and Innovation for SDGs Roadmaps at the Country Level, giving learners direct exposure to frameworks developed through the UN Inter-agency Task Team on STI for the SDGs. It also connects participants with country-level examples and the broader Technology Facilitation Mechanism, making it particularly useful for professionals working on national SDG implementation and innovation policy. The project is funded by the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund.

Browse more ESG courses and certifications to enhance your skills and knowledge.