Urban95 Academy: Fully Funded Executive Education Programme

The Urban95 Academy, a fully funded executive education programme, invites municipal leaders, planners, and urban professionals to reimagine urban spaces through the lens of young children and their caregivers.

This initiative is delivered by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in partnership with the Van Leer Foundation. It is designed to equip participants with the tools, strategies, and collaborative approaches needed to make cities more inclusive, child-friendly, and future-oriented.

Programme Overview

• Duration: 7 weeks
• Format: Executive education programme combining theory, practice, and collaborative learning
• Focus: Supporting municipal leaders in designing cities that work better for young children and their caregivers
• Organizers:
  • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
  • Van Leer Foundation

Key Learning Objectives

Participants will gain practical knowledge and actionable skills in the following areas:

• Local Needs Analysis
  • Learn to identify and assess the specific needs of children and caregivers in diverse urban contexts.
  • Develop frameworks for evidence-based decision-making.
• Child-Centred Strategies
  • Explore innovative approaches to urban planning that prioritize the well-being of children.
  • Integrate child-friendly design principles into city infrastructure, public spaces, and services.
• Governance Navigation
  • Understand the complexities of municipal governance and policymaking.
  • Acquire tools to manage cross-departmental collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborative Leadership
  • Strengthen leadership skills to drive inclusive change.
  • Foster partnerships across public, private, and civil society sectors.

Why Urban95?

The concept of Urban95  challenges city leaders to imagine urban environments from the perspective of a child. At 95 cm tall, a child experiences the city differently, streets, sidewalks, parks, and public services are perceived in ways adults often overlook.

By adopting this perspective, leaders can:

• Create safer, more accessible public spaces.
• Improve mobility and transportation systems for families.
• Enhance social services and community support structures.
• Promote equity and inclusion in urban development.

Programme Benefits

• Fully Funded: No tuition fees, making the programme accessible to a wide range of professionals.
• Global Cohort: Participants join an international network of urban leaders, sharing diverse experiences and solutions.
• Practical Tools: Emphasis on actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately in participants’ cities.
• Expert Guidance: Learn from leading academics, practitioners, and policymakers in urban development and child-focused planning.
• Collaborative Projects: Engage in group work that simulates real-world challenges and solutions.

Application Details

• Cohort: 10th Global Cohort
• Start Date: February 2026
• Application Deadline: 30 January 2026

 

The Urban95 Academy is more than an educational programme, it is a movement to reshape cities for the youngest citizens and their caregivers. By equipping leaders with the tools to design inclusive, child-friendly urban environments, the initiative contributes to healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable cities worldwide.

Applications are open now, and the deadline is approaching. Don’t miss the chance to join the 10th Global Cohort and be part of this transformative journey. Apply now.