Art, Technology, and Equity: Reflecting on the Impact of the 'Pura Vida' NFT Collection

The initiative has also gained international attention. In 2023, it was named a finalist for the SDG Digital GameChangers Award, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), under the category “Peace.” It was later presented at the SDG Digital event in New York and featured in the 2025 Mobile World Capital Awards, contributing to growing interest in how blockchain technologies might be used in the service of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Rather than using NFTs as a novelty or purely symbolic gesture, Art for Peace was designed to produce tangible outcomes. Its structure links digital ownership to real-world opportunities, particularly in contexts where access to education is limited by economic or geographic constraints. The initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), while also participating in wider discussions about how blockchain and Web3 technologies might be applied in ethical, transparent, and socially constructive ways. This approach reflects UNITAR’s broader commitment to innovation in learning and capacity development. As an institution focused on providing knowledge solutions to individuals and communities worldwide, especially those in special and vulnerable situations, UNITAR continues to explore ways to integrate digital tools into its training and outreach work. In collaboration with UPEACE, the Art for Peace initiative represents one such pathway: an effort to leverage creativity and innovation in support of inclusive, equitable, and high-impact education.

As preparations begin for the 2025 cohort, the project continues to serve as a reference point for cross-sector collaboration. Grounded in clear outcomes and inclusive principles, it reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring that innovation contributes to broader access, particularly for those in traditionally underrepresented regions.