Professionals working in humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, peacebuilding, governance, crisis response, and international cooperation now have an exciting opportunity to strengthen their expertise through the UNDP Nexus Academy 2026 Multi-Stakeholder Cohort.

Powered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Crisis Academy and established as a flagship initiative of the DAC–UN Dialogue, the Nexus Academy is a globally recognized learning platform dedicated to advancing collaboration across humanitarian, development, and peace actors.

The Academy brings together professionals from around the world to learn, exchange experiences, and develop practical approaches for addressing today’s increasingly complex crises. Rather than focusing on one sector alone, the programme emphasizes integrated action, enabling participants to work more effectively across institutional and organizational boundaries.

Applications are now open for the next Multi-Stakeholder Cohort, scheduled to take place from 31 August to 9 September 2026.

What is the UNDP Nexus Academy?

The Nexus Academy is an international learning platform designed to build a shared understanding of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus.

The HDP Nexus is an internationally recognized framework that encourages humanitarian, development, and peace actors to work together rather than independently when responding to crises.

Instead of isolated interventions, the Nexus approach promotes:

• Stronger collaboration
• Shared analysis
• Joint planning
• Coordinated implementation
• Long-term resilience
• Sustainable peacebuilding

Operating under the UNDP Crisis Academy, the Nexus Academy combines practical learning, peer engagement, simulations, and collaborative problem-solving to help professionals navigate fragile and crisis-affected settings.

The Academy focuses on three pillars:

• Learning
• Community
• Action

Together, these pillars help participants move beyond theory and translate Nexus principles into real-world practice.

Why the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus Matters

Modern crises are increasingly interconnected.

Conflicts, climate change, displacement, food insecurity, economic instability, governance challenges, and humanitarian emergencies often overlap.

Traditional sector-specific responses are no longer sufficient.

The HDP Nexus encourages organizations to:

• Work together across mandates
• Improve coordination
• Reduce duplication
• Address root causes
• Build resilience
• Promote sustainable recovery
• Strengthen peace

The Nexus Academy equips professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to make these integrated approaches successful.

About the 2026 Multi-Stakeholder Cohort

The Multi-Stakeholder Cohort is the Academy’s flagship learning programme.

Over two weeks, participants engage in an intensive learning journey that combines expert instruction with collaborative exercises designed to reflect real operational challenges.

Rather than relying solely on lectures, the programme emphasizes:

• Interactive discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Peer learning
• Facilitated dialogue
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Problem-solving exercises

Participants work alongside colleagues from different organizations, sectors, and regions to better understand how coordinated approaches can improve outcomes in fragile and crisis settings.

Programme Dates

The next cohort will take place:

31 August – 9 September 2026

The programme will be delivered in English.

Training sessions will run according to the following schedule:

• 09:00–12:00 Geneva Time
• 14:00–17:00 Bangkok Time

What Participants Will Learn

The programme includes six interactive learning modules covering the practical application of the HDP Nexus.

Participants will gain knowledge and skills in areas such as:

• Integrated humanitarian programming
• Development planning
• Peacebuilding coordination
• Crisis response
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Institutional coherence
• Operational decision-making
• Collective outcomes
• Stakeholder engagement
• Shared analysis
• Managing institutional trade-offs
• Building resilience
• Policy implementation
• Coordination mechanisms
• Systems thinking

The curriculum is designed to help participants immediately apply what they learn within their own organizations.

Learning Methodology

One of the defining features of the Nexus Academy is its highly practical learning model.

The Academy follows internationally recognized adult learning principles and prioritizes experiential learning over passive instruction.

Participants can expect:

Interactive Learning

Sessions encourage active participation rather than traditional classroom teaching.

Case-Based Discussions

Real-world examples help participants explore complex operational challenges.

Facilitated Simulations

Simulations recreate crisis scenarios where participants must make collaborative decisions under realistic conditions.

Peer Exchange

Professionals from diverse organizations share practical experiences, lessons learned, and innovative solutions.

Expert Facilitation

Global experts guide discussions while encouraging participants to explore different institutional perspectives.

Safe Learning Environment

The Academy provides an open environment where participants can discuss challenges, institutional tensions, and operational dilemmas honestly and constructively.

Who Should Apply?

The Multi-Stakeholder Cohort is intended for professionals working across humanitarian, development, and peace sectors.

Suitable applicants include:

• Humanitarian practitioners
• Development professionals
• Peacebuilding specialists
• UN personnel
• Government officials
• Donor agency representatives
• NGO professionals
• Regional organizations
• Policy advisors
• Programme managers
• Field coordinators
• Technical specialists
• Institutional decision-makers

Applicants may work at:

• Global level
• Regional level
• National level
• Country level
• Field level

Additional Learning Opportunities

Beyond the flagship cohort, the Nexus Academy offers several complementary learning pathways.

Executive & Thematic Cohorts

Designed for senior leaders and technical specialists, these programmes examine strategic topics including:

• Climate change
• Forced displacement
• Financing
• Governance
• Institutional reform
• Gender-responsive programming
• Policy coherence

These cohorts create opportunities for high-level dialogue among institutional leaders and policymakers.

Tailored Country and Regional Trainings

The Academy works directly with:

• UN Country Teams
• Governments
• Regional organizations
• Coordination platforms
• Development partners

These customized trainings address country-specific operational challenges and strengthen local implementation of the HDP Nexus.

Get in touch

Nexus Essentials

For those seeking an introduction to the HDP Nexus, the Academy offers Nexus Essentials, a free self-paced online course.

Features include:

• Duration of approximately 2–3 hours
• Self-paced learning
• Practical introduction to HDP principles
• Digital badge upon completion
• Available in English
• Available in Arabic

This course is open to anyone interested in integrated humanitarian, development, and peace action.

Go to course [English] here
Go to course [Arabic] here

Join a Global Professional Community

Participants who complete the Multi-Stakeholder Cohort automatically become members of the Nexus Academy Alumni Network.

The network currently includes more than 800 professionals from around the world.

Benefits include:

• Ongoing peer learning
• Global networking
• Knowledge sharing
• Thematic discussions
• Professional collaboration
• Access to community activities
• LinkedIn engagement
• Open House sessions

The Academy continues supporting participants long after formal training ends.

Watch recording for Open House featuring Dr. Aisha Thawab and Dr. Wafa Mohammed from the Yemen Nexus Initiative

Nexus Knowledge Hub

Participants also gain access to the Nexus Knowledge Hub.

The platform serves as a growing repository of practical resources including:

• Research publications
• Case studies
• Institutional frameworks
• Operational guidance
• Learning materials
• Practical tools
• Evidence-based resources

The Knowledge Hub supports continued professional development beyond the training programme.

Partnerships Behind the Nexus Academy

The Nexus Academy is supported by an extensive international partnership.

It was established through the DAC–UN Dialogue and is grounded in the 2019 OECD-DAC Recommendation on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus.

The Academy is operated under the UNDP Crisis Academy and receives support from:

• Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
• Republic of Korea

A multi-stakeholder Steering Committee provides strategic guidance for the initiative.

Explore our 2025 Annual Report.

Benefits of Participating

Participants will benefit from:

• Internationally recognized professional learning
• Practical application of HDP Nexus principles
• Expert-led training
• Real-world simulations
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Networking with global practitioners
• Membership in a worldwide alumni network
• Continued professional engagement
• Access to practical knowledge resources
• Digital learning opportunities
• Enhanced coordination and leadership skills
• Improved institutional collaboration
• Greater understanding of integrated crisis response

How to Apply

Interested professionals should submit their application through the official Nexus Academy application portal.

Applicants are also encouraged to follow the Nexus Academy on LinkedIn to receive updates about future training opportunities, Open House sessions, and upcoming calls for applications.

Official information and the application portal are available on the UNDP Nexus Academy website.

Application Deadline

Applications are currently open for the 2026 Multi-Stakeholder Cohort.

Programme Dates: 31 August – 9 September 2026

Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible before the programme begins.

APPLY NOW

Conclusion

The UNDP Nexus Academy offers much more than professional training—it provides a unique opportunity to join a global movement committed to improving how humanitarian, development, and peace actors work together.

As crises become increasingly complex and interconnected, professionals equipped with integrated approaches are more important than ever. Through interactive learning, expert facilitation, practical simulations, and a vibrant international alumni network, the Nexus Academy empowers participants to translate policy into action and strengthen collaboration across institutions and sectors.

Whether you are working in the field, shaping policy, leading programmes, or coordinating humanitarian and development efforts, the 2026 Multi-Stakeholder Cohort provides an exceptional platform to enhance your knowledge, expand your professional network, and contribute to more coherent and sustainable responses to crises worldwide.

Explore the OFY website for more opportunities on professional training programmes and fellowships.