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Global Mayors Academy

Empowering city leaders and change-makers to build cities that thrive

(urban solutions)

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STARTS ON

Online | Live Online
In-person event in Switzerland

£1,000 Early Enrollment Benefit Ends in 2 Weeks

Or the burning desire to change life in your city

DURATION

PROGRAM FEE

ELIGIBILITY

108th mayor of NYC and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies

Be Empowered to Lead Transformative Change - with practical tools and inner wisdom for complex city challenges

Cities everywhere are under pressure, from climate shocks to social divides, economic upheaval and rapid technological change. Meeting these challenges calls for leaders who can think differently, navigate complexity and act decisively, guiding their communities with vision and care.

The Global Mayors Academy is designed to help city leaders face their most pressing challenges with clarity, courage, concrete solutions, and collaboration.

We empower mayors, civic innovators and sector leaders with practical tools, trusted networks, and breakthrough, real-world-tested solutions to navigate complexity and lead systemic change - from rising costs and social fragmentation to housing shortages, infrastructure demands, mobility and transport planning, environmental resilience, and economic renewal.

At the same time, we support the cultivation of the inner capacities essential for leading with wisdom - including reflective practices, grounded purpose, and emotional and relational intelligence - to meet the demands of an increasingly complex and fast-changing world.

Our focus is on building long-term capacity: strengthening cross-sector cooperation, fostering resilience in communities, and creating the conditions for thriving civic, cultural, and economic life.

Through world-class education, real-world projects, and a global community of peers, the Academy equips leaders to solve problems that matter - and to shape sustainable, regenerative cities for generations to come.

6B

people, 70% of world's population will live in cities in 2050

major cities and 500,000
municipalities according to OECD/UCLG worldwide

of the world will live in urban areas by 2050

occupying only 3% of the Earth's land, cities are responsible for 60–80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions

10,000

68%

60%

GMA faculty and experts already supported city leaders and changemakers in 700+ cities in more than 50 countries globally

61%

of citizens globally distrust government and business

nearly 2.500 mayors are elected annually worldwide. And many more leaders compete in those elections

2.500

urban infrastructure investment needs per year through 2030

of cities lack funds for basic needs (World Bank)

$5T

80%

What you will learn

1. Develop and strengthen your ability to navigate urgent urban challenges, contextual shifts, emerging opportunities, and evolving risks shaping cities and communities in a fast-changing world.

2. Gain a robust perspective on leveraging data, lived experience, and proven practices to craft systemic solutions, build stakeholder alignment, and mitigate risks in policy design, planning, and implementation.

3. Lead and manage change across diverse stakeholders, sectors, and city networks, fostering trust, collaboration, and shared ownership of outcomes.

4. Understand and influence strategies across multiple governance and policy levels - including regulatory frameworks, financing models, and political dynamics - while balancing local needs with national and global objectives for sustainable and inclusive development.

5. Cultivate inner leadership capacities, including reflective practice, emotional and relational intelligence, and grounded decision-making - essential for leading wisely in complex, high-stakes environments.

6. Integrate regenerative thinking and whole-system approaches into your leadership - enabling cities not just to survive, but to thrive in harmony with people and planet.

What Outcomes will you have

Swiss Professional Certificate - global recognition for advancing city leadership

Real Impact - design and launch 1 a tangible urban project during the program

Practical Tools & Strategies - solutions for cities facing economic, social, and cultural pressures

Global Peer Community - trusted connections with mayors and civic leaders worldwide

Leadership Growth - personal transformation and skills to lead systemic change in cities

Long-term Capacity - readiness to govern complexity and drive sustainable urban development

"The future will be written in cities - on the streets, in the schools, through the jobs and opportunities created there. Mayors hold the responsibility and the power to shape that future for generations to come."

Mayor of Bern (2017-2024)

Program curriculum

Integral City Development
Designing cities as living systems through integrated, holistic, place-based strategies.

Re-Greening and Rewilding Urban Spaces
Restoring ecological balance and deepening human–nature relationships in the built environment.

Zero-Emission, Smart, and Regenerative Infrastructure
Building future-ready systems that are sustainable, intelligent, and life-affirming.

Creative Financing and Resource Mobilisation
Exploring innovative funding models - from blended finance and public–private partnerships to philanthropic capital and community-led investment - to unlock resources for regenerative development, especially in under-resourced and Global South contexts.

The Future of Cities and Global Trends
Navigating global shifts - from AI to migration - shaping tomorrow’s urban realities.

Participatory Governance and Citizen Engagement
Integrating all voices - including the most marginalised — into civic decision-making and policy.

The Role of Youth in Regenerating Cities
Educating, empowering, and partnering with young people as co-creators of the urban future.

Cities as Learning Ecosystems
Transforming education, research, and innovation to serve thriving civic life.

Urban Resilience and Regenerative Risk Leadership
Preparing cities to adapt, recover, and flourish in the face of complexity and crisis.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Stakeholder Alignment
Building trust and shared vision across governments, communities, and private sectors.

Place-Based Economies and Local Enterprise
Cultivating inclusive economic models that prioritise community wellbeing and circular value.

Integral Leadership Development
Nurturing the mindset, skills, and wisdom needed to lead in uncertainty and complexity.

Driving Impact: Research, Community, and Policy Development for a Thriving City
Advancing data-informed strategies rooted in local experience and systemic insight.

Regenerative Education and Civic Learning
Transforming education into a driver of regeneration, empowering citizens of all ages to participate meaningfully in shaping their communities.

Integrated Health for Thriving Communities
Designing inclusive, preventative, and holistic health systems that address social, mental, environmental, and physical well-being at every level.

Food Sovereignty and Regenerative Urban Agriculture
Reimagining food systems through local production, circular economies, and equitable access — restoring relationships between people, place, and nourishment.

Restorative Justice and Social Reintegration
Shifting from punitive models to restorative approaches that heal harm, restore dignity, and enable meaningful societal contribution.

Our programmes’ carefully designed curriculum weaves together systems thinking, city development, public well-being, and regenerative leadership. It combines bi-weekly live online sessions, practice-based Q&A forums, real-world projects, and immersive experiences — culminating in an in-person gathering in Switzerland in Summer 2026 for on-the-ground learning, collaboration, and peer exchange.

8 Core Modules + 2 Electives + 2 Real-World Projects

Bi-weekly sessions are led by world-class faculty and experienced practitioners across multiple dimensions of city leadership and transformation. These facilitators support participants in deepening their personal leadership development, enhancing their understanding of human dynamics and communication, and applying organisational and strategic practices to design and implement scalable, regenerative initiatives in their own local contexts.


Key Topics Include:

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Pursuing Recognised Accreditation for Global Impact

We are committed to ensuring that the Global Mayors Academy meets the highest standards of excellence in leadership development and city transformation. As such, we are actively pursuing accreditation with leading institutions in the fields of education, governance, and sustainable development.

This programme has been developed in alignment with the accreditation requirements of the following organisations, and formal accreditation is currently in process:

• University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) — designating this activity for Category 1 Credit(s)™ towards higher education pathways in Integral Leadership, City Administration, and Urban Development.

• The Global Accreditation Council (GAC) — dedicated to accrediting quality learning for a better world.

• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) — supporting learning for sustainable development and global governance.

These accreditations reflect our commitment to academic rigour, global relevance, and the development of transformative city leadership for a thriving world.

In-Person Networking & Learning Experience | 4-Day | Switzerland

Our programme concludes with a transformative 4-day in-person gathering in Switzerland - a powerful convergence of learning, connection, and global collaboration.

Participants will build lasting relationships with peers from around the world and gain first-hand insight from world-renowned experts and city leaders driving citizen-led, systemic change.

The experience includes site visits to Bern, Zurich, and Lichtensteig - cities at the forefront of regenerative innovation and civic activation.

The journey concludes with a meaningful graduation ceremony in one of Europe’s oldest City Halls, in the historic town of Lichtensteig - marking the start of a renewed commitment to lead change in one’s own place.

Social Cohesion & Community Development

Citimakers: Citizens Engagement & Integrating All Voices of the City

Driving Impact: Research, Community and Policy Development for Thriving City

City as the Learning Ecosystem

The Global Mayors Academy is grounded in action learning — enabling participants to apply insights directly in their local context.

All participants complete a core project:
Integral City Development Strategy

Co-create a regenerative development strategy with key local stakeholders to align your city or community around long-term, systemic transformation.

Participants then select one thematic project to implement during the programme, guided by a step-by-step framework and supported through consultations with GMA city project developers.


Thematic Projects:

Real-World Application

1. Re-Greening and Rewilding Your City
Design and launch a city-wide initiative to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and promote environmental stewardship.

2. Future Leaders Project
Collaborate with schools, higher education institutions, and NGOs to engage youth (ages 15–26) in civic education and city development.

3. Community Development Hub
Establish a citizen-led hub that fosters local collaboration, inclusive dialogue, and community-driven development.

4. Thriving City Festival
Convene citizens and leaders through a public festival that inspires collective visioning and regenerative action for your city’s future.

Who is this program for?

The Global Mayors Academy is designed for city leaders of all kinds - across various sectors of urban life - including those leading towns, cities, islands, and communities anywhere people come together to live, work, and shape their shared future, and who hold the authority and responsibility to guide their places and people toward thriving, regenerative futures - and who are committed to leading ethical, inclusive, and regenerative transformation in a rapidly changing world.

Participants typically include:

Whether you participate as an individual or as part of a city leadership team, the Academy offers tools, perspectives, and a global peer network to lead with greater clarity, capacity, and impact.

Learning experience

Benefit from a powerful curriculum that combines innovative approaches and emerging trends in city leadership with an application-based approach.

*Live sessions are subject to confirmation

Gain insights from world-class faculty from around the world who bring their practical expertise into the program.

Experience live online sessions with faculty and the cohort success coach as well as guest speaker sessions featuring renowned city leaders.

Network with accomplished leaders from around the world, and gain new insights into how to generate positive change.

Explore effective frameworks and the latest cutting-edge tools to address challenges in your city.

Learn at your own pace with a weekly commitment of three to five hours of sessions and activities.

Explore real-world case studies and examples from cities around the world to elevate your leadership skills.

Engage in try-it activities designed to help you hone your skills and apply the learning from the program for immediate on-the-job impact.

Meet successful peers, renowned experts and city leaders, and GMA faculty during the 4-day in-person networking event in Switzerland.

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Certificate

Upon completion of this program, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion from The Global Mayors Academy in partnership with UWTSD and UNITAR.

Your digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you at no additional cost upon completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of The Global Mayors Academy. 

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Connect With a Program Advisor for a 1:1 Session

Email: hph_gph@emeritus.org
Phone: +1 315 644 8402(US) / +44 1438 500075 (UK) / +65 3138 4342 (SG) / +52 55965 22758 (Latam) / +971 80 0088601090 (UAE)