Looking to upgrade your skills with internationally recognized training? The FAO Free Online Courses 2026 provide learners worldwide with free, self-paced courses covering agriculture, food security, nutrition, climate action, forestry, fisheries, sustainable development, and agrifood systems. Developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), these multilingual courses are designed for students, professionals, researchers, government officials, NGOs, and anyone interested in sustainable development. Many courses include free certificates upon successful completion, making them valuable additions to your professional portfolio.
Background & Course Overview
The FAO eLearning Academy is the Food and Agriculture Organization’s official online learning platform, offering hundreds of free digital learning resources that support global capacity development. The Academy provides practical, science-based training aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and covers a wide range of topics related to agriculture, nutrition, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, fisheries, forestry, food systems, and rural development.
Courses are developed by FAO experts together with international partners to provide up-to-date knowledge and practical skills that learners can immediately apply in their studies, careers, research, or development work.
The platform allows participants to learn at their own pace from anywhere in the world and offers content in multiple languages, making professional learning more accessible to global audiences.
Benefits of FAO Free Online Courses
Participants can enjoy several benefits, including:
- Free online learning from a United Nations specialized agency.
- Self-paced study with flexible schedules.
- Courses available in multiple languages.
- Mobile-friendly learning experience.
- Practical knowledge based on global best practices.
- Internationally recognized learning resources.
- Access to hundreds of courses across various disciplines.
- Free certificates for eligible certification courses after successful completion.
- Continuous access to newly released learning materials.
Who Can Enroll?
The FAO eLearning Academy welcomes learners from around the world, including:
- University students
- Recent graduates
- Researchers
- Government officials
- Agricultural professionals
- Extension workers
- NGO staff
- Development practitioners
- Food security professionals
- Environmental specialists
- Private sector professionals
- Anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and development
No nationality restrictions apply, and many courses have no formal entry requirements.
Available Learning Areas
The FAO eLearning Academy offers courses covering numerous subjects, including:
- Agriculture
- Food Security
- Nutrition
- Climate Change
- Forestry
- Fisheries
- Sustainable Development
- Biodiversity
- Agrifood Systems
- Rural Development
- Livestock
- Bioeconomy
- Food Markets
- Plant Health
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Sustainability
- Climate Action
- Pest Management
- Food Loss and Waste
- Circular Economy
Featured New Courses for 2026
Some of the newest courses available include:
Understanding Family Farming
- Release: July 2026
- Duration: 30 minutes
The Role of Livestock in Circular Bioeconomy Systems
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Sea Container Inspections: Minimizing Visible Pest Risks
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 1 hour
Food Markets and Healthy Diets in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 40 minutes
Food Market Governance: Public Sector and Institutional Dynamics
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 45 minutes
Strengthening Wholesale Markets in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 35 minutes
Strengthening Local and Traditional Markets in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 35 minutes
Agrifood Systems Solutions for Halting Deforestation
- Release: June 2026
- Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
E-learning Curriculum: Forest Monitoring for Climate Action
- Release: June 2026
GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) and Genesys
- Release: May 2026
- Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
Multidimensional Solutions to Reduce Food Loss and Waste in Fish Value Chains
- Release: May 2026
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Farmers Markets: An Introduction
- Release: May 2026
- Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Certification
Many FAO eLearning Academy courses are marked as Certification courses. Learners who successfully complete all required modules and assessments may receive a digital certificate of completion, demonstrating their newly acquired knowledge and skills.
Learning Format
Courses are designed to be flexible and accessible:
- 100% online
- Self-paced learning
- Mobile-friendly access
- Interactive learning materials
- Multimedia content
- Available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.
Why Take FAO Courses?
FAO online courses are suitable for professionals looking to strengthen their expertise in sustainable agriculture and food systems while gaining practical knowledge from one of the world’s leading international organizations. The courses are regularly updated to reflect current global challenges and policy developments in agriculture, climate resilience, food production, and environmental management.
Whether you are beginning your career or seeking professional development, these courses offer flexible learning opportunities that support both personal and professional growth.
How to Apply
Interested learners can register for a free account on the official FAO eLearning Academy platform, browse available courses, enroll in their preferred learning programmes, and begin studying immediately. Learners pursuing certification should complete all required modules and assessments to qualify for a certificate where available.
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