UNODC’s Learning and Innovation Programme, under the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, develops and delivers cutting-edge tools, activities and resources to build capacities that enhance criminal justice responses to diverse human security and health challenges. The Programme works closely with other UNODC programmes, UNODC field offices, Member States and criminal justice institutions and academies.

SPRAK Brochure


The Learning and Innovation Programme’s areas of work:

  1. Delivering digital training on all thematic areas under UNODC’s mandates
  2. Providing pedagogical support to counterparts to enhance their capacity-building activities
  3. Supporting the digitalization of criminal justice institutions’ and academies’ internal operations

The Programme aligns with the UN 2.0 vision, which calls for leveraging digital and innovation expertise, to foster a forward-thinking UN culture empowered by cutting-edge skills. This supports the Secretary-General’s goal of building a creative, agile and learning-oriented UN system that can “better support Member States in the years to come.

Digital Training

SPARK: The UNODC eLearning Platform

The Learning and Innovation Programme delivers digital training through the UNODC eLearning Platform, SPARK. Thanks to the Platform’s operational flexibility, allowing users to learn anytime and anywhere, it addresses the critical need for cost-effective, accessible and adaptable learning solutions in the criminal justice sector. By promoting continuous professional development through self-paced, up-to-date and interactive training, the Learning and Innovation Programme seeks to break down geographical, temporal and linguistic barriers to learning and contribute to a well-informed, skilled and cohesive global community of criminal justice professionals.

SPARK offers numerous online tools designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills and abilities of criminal justice practitioners. Operational 24/7 and accessible to the public, the Platform reaches an extensive number of criminal justice practitioners globally. To date, there are 250,000+ users, 800+ eLearning modules, eClasses & webinars and online tools in 30+ languages.

Mobile Application

The SPARK mobile application improves learner experience when accessing the eLearning Platform from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The application enables learners to download training modules and access them offline, contributing to accessibility in areas with limited or unreliable internet connectivity.

Digital Training Tools

The Learning and Innovation Team develops and delivers a wide range of online and digital tools:

  • Self-paced eLearning modules: Providing foundational knowledge on specific topics through scenarios and simulations, with varying levels of proficiency and interactivity
  • Localization: Translating and tailoring eLearning modules to specific regional or country contexts
  • Microlearning: Offering short, focused eLearning modules, providing targeted knowledge in “bite-sized” chunks
  • eClasses: Facilitating either synchronous or asynchronous learning and interaction between instructors and learners through virtual classrooms
  • Knowledge hubs: Fostering knowledge exchange and communication between practitioners through tools and resources such as webinars, forums of discussion, online libraries and podcasts, among others 
  • Virtual Reality: Providing hands-on practice through immersive digital training simulating real-world scenarios and facilitating the development of new skills

Pedagogical Support

The Learning and Innovation Team, comprised of educational experts and instructional designers, supports criminal justice institutions and academies, UNODC field offices and other UNODC programmes, to develop digital and in-person training activities aimed at the transfer of knowledge and the development of skills. The support encompasses development and delivery of learner-centred content with localized, personalized activities tailored to meet the unique needs of users from various backgrounds.

The Team advocates for a blended learning approach, combining digital and face-to-face training to enhance knowledge and promote its real-world application. This includes providing support in structuring and converting content into blended learning training packages, as well as offering pedagogical guidelines, to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of training delivery.

The Learning and Innovation Team promotes critical thinking, participation and real-world application, supporting criminal justice institutions and academies to build internal capacities with innovative and effective learning.

Digitalization

Enhancing Internal Operations

The Programme provides guidance and tools to criminal justice institutions and academies, to digitalize internal operations and thereby enhance efficiency. Internal operations include data management, administration, capacity-building activities and communication. After assessing digitalization levels, the Programme can guide and equip criminal justice institutions and academies with the equipment and tools most suitable for attaining desired levels of digitalization.

Enhancing Digital Skills

The Learning and Innovation Team offers training curricula designed to enhance participants’ digital literacy. This ranges from basic skills such as starting up devices, managing files, using email services and browsing the internet, including searching for and accessing relevant resources. Depending on proficiency levels and specific needs, training is face-to-face, online or blended.

Mobile Training Units (MTUs)

The Programme seeks to improve accessibility of digital training, including by deploying portable training setups that facilitate offline access to the UNODC SPARK Platform and other resources in areas where internet connection is limited or non-existent. These setups are referred to as Mobile Training Units, or MTUs. They can be deployed to remote or underserved areas to provide on-site training capabilities, bringing training directly to trainees. The MTUs are comprised of a server, a set of laptops and a router, take just 20 minutes to assemble and can operate for up to 5 hours without external power.

eLearning Centres

The Programme supports criminal justice institutions in the establishment of eLearning centres, which are facilities dedicated to digital training. The Team supports in the assessment and provision of equipment needed to facilitate access to the digital sphere, to make the best use of available infrastructure. eLearning centres provide an avenue to conduct a hybrid of in-person and digital training. To date, the Programme has established 60+ eLearning centres worldwide.