UN-Portugal Digital Fellowship concludes its third edition

The third edition of the UN-Portugal Digital Fellowship took place from 13 to 17 April 2026 in Guimarães, Portugal, bringing together 25 senior public officials and policymakers from developing countries for a week of intensive training in digital governance and innovation.

Organised by the Government of Portugal in partnership with the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), the programme forms part of Portugal’s broader efforts to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through digital capacity-building.

Hosted at UNU-EGOV, the five-day Fellowship combined lectures, teamwork and problem-based learning covering key areas such as digital governance, public service delivery, data management, cybersecurity and digital transformation strategies. The Fellowship also included cultural and networking activities, such as a visit to the city of Braga, reinforcing collaboration and building lasting professional connections among participants.

The programme targeted officials directly involved in policymaking, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity and supporting the design of more effective, inclusive and resilient digital public services. Participants highlighted the strong interactive component of the training, as well as the opportunity to exchange experiences across regions.

The initiative is part of Portugal’s “Bolsas Mais Mundo” Programme, which supports capacity-building in developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, reinforcing Portugal’s role as a partner in promoting inclusive digital transformation for sustainable development.