1. Introduction

This Cookies Policy explains how Global Mayors Academy ('GMA'), a proud part of the Living Cities Earth (LCE) ecosystem, uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at www.globalmayors.academy.

This policy is issued in accordance with the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), which implement the EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC), as retained in UK law.

A cookie is a small text file that is stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. Cookies help websites function properly and provide a personalised experience.

2. About Our Website Platform

The GMA public website (www.globalmayors.academy) is built and hosted using Tilda, a website-building platform operated by Tilda Publishing (registered in the United Arab Emirates, with an EU representative — Tilda Publishing Ltd. — based in Dublin, Ireland).

As part of hosting our website, Tilda places cookies on visitors' devices. Some of these cookies are essential for the website to function correctly (mandatory technical cookies), while others are used to provide analytics and understand how visitors use the site (analytics cookies).

GMA is the Data Controller for data collected via cookies on the public website. Tilda acts as a Data Processor, processing this data on GMA's behalf under Tilda's Data Processing Agreement framework.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorise our cookies as follows:

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function correctly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They do not collect any personal information that could be used for tracking or advertising purposes. No consent is required for the placement of strictly necessary cookies.

3.2 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymised usage data. The information gathered is aggregated and does not identify you personally. Your consent is required before we place analytics cookies.

GMA uses Tilda's built-in website analytics, which collects the following data via cookies:

• Device type (e.g., desktop, mobile, tablet).
• IP address (used to derive country location).
• Browser type and version.
• Operating system.
• Search engine used to reach the website.
• Referral traffic source (i.e., the website or link you came from).
• Buttons clicked on the website.
• Pages viewed during your visit.
• Number of sessions (i.e., how many separate visits you have made).

3.3 Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website may be placed by third-party services. The most significant of these is Tilda itself, which places cookies as part of hosting and operating the website. Tilda's Cookie Policy is available at tilda.cc/cookie-policy/.

If we embed third-party content on our website (e.g., social media plugins, video players, or maps), those third parties may also set cookies. GMA does not control these cookies and directs you to the relevant third-party privacy policies for further information.

4. Cookie Retention Periods

The following table outlines the types of cookies used on the GMA website, their retention periods, and whether consent is required:

5. How to Manage Cookies

When you first visit the GMA website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner. You may accept all cookies, or choose to accept only strictly necessary cookies. You can change your preferences at any time.

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

On your first visit to www.globalmayors.academy, a cookie consent banner will appear at the top or bottom of the page. You can:

• Accept all cookies: This will enable both strictly necessary cookies and analytics cookies.
• Accept only necessary cookies: This will enable only the cookies essential for the website to function, and will disable analytics cookies.

If you choose to accept only necessary cookies, Tilda's analytics will be disabled, and we will not collect usage data about your visit.

5.2 Browser Settings

You can also manage cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View which cookies have been set and delete them individually.
• Block third-party cookies.
• Block cookies from specific websites.
• Block all cookies from being set.
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser.

Please note that blocking certain cookies may impact the functionality of our website. For guidance on how to adjust cookie settings in your browser, please refer to your browser's help documentation:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

5.3 Tilda's Simplified Statistics Mode

Tilda offers a "simplified statistics mode" which disables analytics cookies entirely while still allowing the website to function. If GMA enables this mode, no analytics cookies will be placed, and no usage data will be collected. However, this also means that website analytics will be less accurate.

Currently, GMA uses Tilda's standard analytics mode, which means analytics cookies will be placed if you consent to them via the cookie banner.

6. What Data Is Collected via Cookies?

The data collected via cookies on the GMA website is primarily used for website analytics purposes. This data is collected by Tilda and includes:

• Device type, IP address, browser type, operating system.
• Country (derived from your IP address).
• Search engine and referral traffic source.
• Pages viewed, buttons clicked, and number of sessions.

This data is aggregated and anonymised. It is used by GMA to understand how visitors use the website, which pages are most popular, and where traffic is coming from. It helps GMA improve the website experience and inform marketing and content decisions.

For full details on how GMA uses this data, please refer to our Privacy Policy for Public Website.

7. Data Retention

Analytics cookies set by Tilda are retained for up to 24 months. After this period, the cookies expire and are automatically deleted from your device.

The usage data collected via cookies is retained by Tilda for up to 3 years for analytics purposes, in accordance with Tilda's data retention policy. After this period, the data is deleted or anonymised.

8. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR and EU GDPR, you have certain rights in relation to personal data collected via cookies. These include:

• Right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw your consent to analytics cookies at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences in your browser settings.
• Right of access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you (though data collected via cookies is largely anonymised and aggregated).
• Right to erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data, where no legal basis for retention applies.

To exercise these rights, or if you have any questions about cookies, please contact us at: contact@globalmayors.academy

9. Third-Party Cookie Policies

GMA does not control cookies set independently by third-party services. If you interact with third-party content embedded on the GMA website (e.g., social media buttons, video players), those third parties may set their own cookies.

For more information, please refer to the following third-party cookie policies:

• Tilda: tilda.cc/cookie-policy/
• YouTube (if videos are embedded): Google Cookies Policy
• Facebook (if social plugins are used): Facebook Cookies Policy

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. Any changes will be posted on this page. We recommend that you review this policy periodically.

The date of the most recent revision is indicated at the top of this policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, or if you would like to exercise your rights in relation to data collected via cookies, please contact us at:

Email: contact@globalmayors.academy