Self-Paced Online Course on Biodiversity Finance Now Available

Want to help close the global biodiversity finance gap? A free, self-paced online course is equipping professionals around the world with the tools to make finance work for nature.

About the Course

“Designing and Implementing a Biodiversity Finance Plan for Nature” is a practical online course based on more than a decade of experience from the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). It introduces learners to the BIOFIN Methodology and provides step-by-step guidance on how to identify, design, and implement finance solutions for biodiversity.

Key topics include biodiversity expenditure reviews, green fiscal policy design, and innovative financing instruments, all presented in a way that makes complex finance concepts accessible and actionable.

Developed by UNDP BIOFIN with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the course is designed for policymakers, finance professionals, environmental practitioners, and anyone working at the intersection of nature and development.

A Growing Global Learning Community

Launched in September, the course has already attracted more than 17,000 participants worldwide. Many have completed the training and are now applying practical tools to strengthen biodiversity finance in their own countries and institutions.

Learners have shared hundreds of positive testimonials. As one participant from Egypt noted:

“This program strengthened my understanding of how to design effective biodiversity finance plans — from assessing national finance needs to developing innovative mechanisms such as green bonds, biodiversity credits, and public–private partnerships. It also deepened my skills in aligning environmental priorities with sustainable economic strategies and policy planning.”
— Mohamed Elashaal, Egypt

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Engage relevant stakeholders and build the foundation for effective coordination on biodiversity finance
• Analyze the policy, institutional, and economic context shaping biodiversity finance
• Review biodiversity expenditures from public, civil society, and private sector sources
• Conduct a financial needs assessment aligned with biodiversity goals
• Develop a Biodiversity Finance Plan and identify suitable finance solutions
• Support the implementation of biodiversity finance solutions in line with national and global strategies

Why This Course Matters for Your Professional Journey

• Grounded in practice
  Built around the BIOFIN Workbook 2024, the course draws directly from real country experiences in transforming biodiversity finance.
• Globally relevant
  Whether you work at the national or local level, you’ll gain tools that connect development priorities with global biodiversity targets.
• Flexible and accessible
  The course requires approximately 14 hours over six weeks and is offered free of charge, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
• Multilingual
  Available in English, French, Spanish, and Russian, making it accessible to a global audience.
• Professional recognition
  Participants who complete the course receive an official UNDP certificate, strengthening their professional profile.

Join the Movement to Finance Nature

Around the world, countries are working to align financial systems with the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity. This course is part of a broader global effort to ensure that every dollar invested strengthens resilience, supports communities, and safeguards the ecosystems that underpin our economies and well-being.

Explore the BIOFIN MOOC and join a growing global community of biodiversity finance practitioners.

TAKE THE COURSE