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The Engineering Initiative was established by the Assistant Director-General of Natural Sciences at UNESCO to address major challenges in engineering, which is a major driver for social, economic and human development. These challenges include the shortage of engineers around the world, decreased interest in engineering as career option for young people, the underrepresentation of women in engineering and brain drain for many countries, particularly less developed ones. The Engineering Initiative focuses on working with UNESCO Member States, international partners, and engineering and curriculum experts to strengthen engineering education through curricula development and capacity building, stressing the participation of youth and women.

Promoting interest in engineering studies will be given priority through increased public understanding of engineering and its effective application to contribute to socio-economic development and improved quality of life. Additional priorities of this initiative are the incorporation of sustainability topics into engineering education and the need for green technology development in engineering applications. The UNESCO Engineering Initiative will partner with engineering educational institutions and encourage investment in applied research and training to foster innovation through technology parks, the network of UNESCO Chairs in Engineering, and similar hubs of scientific exchange and excellence. Initiating activities in the African region and activities that particularly focus on women will be considerations in all project plans as Africa and Gender Equality are UNESCO global priorities.

The UNESCO Engineering Initiative, which was approved by the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011, has started several projects in partnership with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The Engineering Initiative brings together engineering capacity from all of the existing organizational units in an innovative, pragmatic and cost-effective manner for a coherent UNESCO approach in assisting Member States tackle today's challenges, such as the need to develop clean technologies, reduction of industrial pollution, safe water supply and water management, and cheap and affordable technologies for other social needs.