14 Free Online Courses from UN Agencies to Boost Your NGO Career in 2025

Discover 14 free online courses from top UN agencies to boost your NGO and humanitarian career. Learn from UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, and more — enroll today!

Build Your NGO Career with Free UN Online Courses

If you’re passionate about humanitarian work, development, or sustainability, taking free online courses from UN agencies is one of the best ways to strengthen your professional profile. These globally recognized programs offer certificates that can give you a competitive edge when applying for NGO jobs, UN roles, or international development opportunities.

From child protection to public health and climate change, these platforms provide expert-led training that can help you stand out to organizations like UNICEF, WHO, and the UNDP.

Here are 14 reputable UN and NGO learning platforms that offer free certified courses you can start today.

1. UNICEF Agora

Learn about child rights, humanitarian response, and development programs directly from UNICEF experts. Courses are designed for professionals working with children and vulnerable communities.
Visit UNICEF Agora

2. World Health Organization (WHO) – OpenWHO

OpenWHO offers free, high-quality courses on infectious diseases, public health, and emergency response. Perfect for those seeking a career in global health.
Access OpenWHO Courses

3. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP’s Learning for Nature platform focuses on sustainable development, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions. It’s a must for anyone interested in environmental policy or climate action.
Explore UNDP Courses

4. UN Climate Change – UN CC:Learn

Take certified courses on climate change, green economy, and sustainability. The platform is supported by over 30 UN agencies and provides recognized e-certificates.
Enroll on UN CC:Learn

5. UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)

UNITAR offers a variety of leadership, peacebuilding, and disaster management courses. Many are free and come with certificates of completion.
Start UNITAR Courses

6. UNSSC (United Nations System Staff College)

The UNSSC provides interactive online programs on leadership, change management, and sustainable development goals (SDGs) — ideal for aspiring international professionals.
Visit UNSSC

7. World Food Programme (WFP) – Nutrition Academy

The WFP Nutrition Learning Platform offers free courses on nutrition, food security, and humanitarian logistics. Great for NGO field workers and health specialists.
Access WFP Resources

8. The World Bank Group Open Learning Campus

Gain valuable insights into economic development, social impact, and financial inclusion through free global learning resources.
Learn with World Bank Academy

9. DisasterReady.org

With over 600 free humanitarian courses, this platform covers emergency response, refugee assistance, and human rights protection — all with free certificates.
Join DisasterReady.org

10. Kaya by Humanitarian Leadership Academy

KayaConnect provides professional courses on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), gender equality, and humanitarian coordination.
Start Learning on Kaya

11. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Tembo

Tembo, by Doctors Without Borders, offers learning resources for those interested in medical humanitarian work and global health.
Access MSF Tembo

12. Save the Children Learning Hub

Focus on child protection, education in emergencies, and youth empowerment through Save the Children’s online hub.
Visit Save the Children Learning Hub

Why Take UN Online Courses?

Free courses from UN agencies not only enhance your resume but also demonstrate your commitment to global causes. You’ll gain:

Recognized certifications from reputable global organizations.
Skills relevant to humanitarian, social, and development work.
Access to international networking and job opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just starting your NGO career or looking to advance in global development, these free online courses from UN agencies provide the knowledge and credibility you need to grow.

Start learning today! Visit UNICEF Agora or OpenWHO to begin your journey toward a successful humanitarian career.