WHO 2026 Urban Health Training: Apply for the Urban Health Capacity Assessment and Response Kit Training

The World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting qualified urban health professionals, policymakers, city practitioners, and experienced facilitators of multi-sectoral processes to apply for its 2nd WHO Training on the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Kit.

This four-week online training is designed to strengthen the ability of professionals and cross-sectoral teams to understand, assess, and respond to urban health challenges through collaborative approaches. The programme focuses on the practical use of the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit, which helps policymakers and practitioners identify existing capacities, recognize gaps, develop response strategies, and work collaboratively across different sectors to improve health and wellbeing in cities.

The training will take place online through four sessions scheduled for 17 September, 24 September, 1 October and 8 October 2026. Each session will run for two hours from 14:00 to 16:00 CET, with participants also expected to dedicate additional time to preparation and assignments.

According to the WHO announcement, the training is intended for professionals who are actively involved in shaping urban environments, public policy, health, infrastructure, transport, housing, climate resilience, food systems, security, economic development and other areas that influence the health and wellbeing of urban populations.

About the WHO Urban Health Capacity Training

Urbanization is transforming the way people live, work and access essential services. As cities continue to grow, policymakers and practitioners face increasingly complex challenges involving public health, infrastructure, climate change, inequality, housing, transport, food systems, governance and access to basic services.

The WHO’s Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit is designed to help professionals respond to these interconnected challenges by taking a whole-of-city and intersectoral approach.

The resource recognizes that urban health cannot be addressed by the health sector alone. Decisions involving transportation, urban planning, housing, infrastructure, environmental management, economic development, food systems, governance and public safety can all have direct or indirect effects on population health.

The training therefore provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to assess the capacities available within urban systems, identify weaknesses and strengths, and develop strategies for addressing capacity gaps.

Why Urban Health Capacity Building Matters

Rapid urbanization, climate change and socio-economic inequalities are creating increasingly complex pressures on cities.

Urban health challenges often involve several sectors at the same time. For example, improving health outcomes in a city may require coordinated action involving public health authorities, transport planners, housing agencies, environmental institutions, local government, community organizations and economic actors.

The WHO resource kit is intended to support this kind of collaboration.

It can help professionals working to influence areas such as:

• Transportation and mobility
• Urban planning
• Housing and real estate development
• Infrastructure and basic services
• Public health
• Governance
• Food systems and nutrition
• Climate resilience
• Environmental management
• Safety and security
• Economy and livelihoods
• Community participation

By identifying what capacities already exist and where gaps remain, practitioners can develop more targeted and practical responses to urban challenges.

The training will therefore be particularly relevant to professionals who are seeking to connect health considerations with broader urban development policies and interventions.

Who Should Apply for the WHO Urban Health Training?

The WHO has identified two main categories of applicants for the 2026 training.

1. Cross-Sectoral Teams of Urban Practitioners

The WHO is encouraging applications from teams of three to four individuals who share a common urban health goal.

A qualifying team should include professionals from at least two different sectors or organizations. This is intended to ensure that participants bring different perspectives and areas of expertise to the training.

Potential sectors may include:

• Built environment and infrastructure
• Health and social services
• Environment and climate resilience
• Safety and security
• Food systems and nutrition
• Economy and employment
• Transportation
• Urban planning
• Housing
• Other sectors that influence urban health

The team members may come from public or private institutions, including:

• Local government agencies
• National government agencies
• Civil society organizations
• Other relevant institutions

Teams that already have a shared urban health objective are particularly well suited to the programme because they can apply the Resource Kit collaboratively to a real-world urban challenge.

2. Individual Facilitators of Intersectoral Processes

Individual applicants can also apply if they have significant experience facilitating multi-sectoral processes.

The WHO is looking for professionals who have experience with activities such as:

• Joint planning exercises
• Stakeholder dialogues
• Inter-agency collaborations
• Multi-sectoral projects
• Cross-sectoral coordination
• Urban health planning processes

Individual applicants should also have a close working relationship with a local government.

They may work within:

• Local government
• Academia
• Private organizations
• Civil society organizations

However, the organization should have a primary focus on improving urban living conditions and health where applicable.

Approximately 50 participants are expected to take part in the training.

WHO Urban Health Training Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are expected to meet several professional and academic requirements.

Professional Background

The training is open to professionals working in policy-making and city-level practice, particularly those whose work influences urban health.

Relevant professionals may include those working in:

• Public health policy
• Urban policy
• Transport and mobility
• Housing and real estate
• Infrastructure and services
• Economy and livelihoods
• Security and justice
• Urban development
• Other fields connected to urban health

Applicants should have experience working in multi-sectoral environments and facilitating or participating in multi-sectoral processes.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A bachelor’s-level university degree; and
• At least five years of professional experience, or three years of experience combined with an advanced degree.

Applicants should also demonstrate an interest in or experience with urban health and capacity building.

Language Requirement

Participants must have an excellent command of English, as English is the working language of the training.

Preference for Cross-Sectoral Teams

The WHO states that preference will be given to teams.

To qualify as a team, the application group should consist of three to four individuals who meet the stated eligibility requirements and come from at least two different sectors or organizations.

For example, a team could combine professionals from the following:

• Public health and transportation
• Local government and civil society
• Urban planning and environmental management
• Health and infrastructure
• Food systems and nutrition and local government

The purpose of this arrangement is to encourage participants to apply the training through different professional perspectives and strengthen collaboration between sectors.

What Will Participants Learn?

The training will focus on developing practical competencies that can be applied to real urban health challenges.

Participants will learn how to use the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit to understand their existing capacities, identify weaknesses and develop appropriate strategies.

Key learning areas include:

1. Informed Decision-Making, Monitoring and Evaluation

Participants will learn how evidence and data can support urban health policies and decision-making.

This component emphasizes the importance of using reliable information to understand urban challenges, monitor interventions and evaluate whether policies and programmes are achieving their intended outcomes.

2. Policy Coherence and Multi-Sectoral Governance

Urban health challenges frequently cross institutional and sectoral boundaries.

The training will therefore examine ways of strengthening governance structures and improving collaboration among sectors so that policies and interventions work toward shared objectives rather than operating in isolation.

3. Sustainable Financing and Resource Mobilization

Participants will also explore ways of identifying financing mechanisms and strategic investments that can support urban health initiatives.

This is particularly important because urban health interventions often require sustained resources, coordination and investment across multiple institutions.

4. Partnerships and Participation

The programme will emphasize stakeholder engagement and partnerships.

Participants will learn about approaches for bringing different partners and stakeholders into urban health initiatives and strengthening participation in decision-making and implementation.

Key Competencies Participants Will Develop

By the end of the training, participants are expected to strengthen their ability to:

• Conduct urban health capacity assessments using the Resource Kit.
• Identify critical strengths and capacity gaps within urban systems.
• Develop actionable response strategies suited to local circumstances.
• Work effectively across different sectors to address urban health challenges.
• Use participatory approaches to strengthen urban governance.
• Integrate health equity considerations into urban policies and interventions.

These competencies are intended to help participants move beyond identifying urban health problems toward developing practical, coordinated and locally appropriate responses.

Main Objective of the Training

The primary objective of the WHO training is to develop awareness of the cross-disciplinary capacities required for effective urban health action and policy-making.

Particular emphasis will be placed on areas such as:

• Data analysis
• Policy coherence
• Community engagement
• Financing strategies
• Cross-sectoral collaboration
• Urban governance

The training also aims to build a cohort of professionals capable of applying the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit in their respective settings.

Additional Objectives

Beyond the primary objective, the programme seeks to:

1. Build a professional cohort skilled in applying the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit.
2. Strengthen participants’ ability to identify, assess and address urban health challenges using a capacity-based approach.
3. Encourage collaboration among professionals working in urban health.
4. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange.
5. Support the development of strategic responses to urban health challenges.

These objectives make the programme relevant not only for individual professional development but also for organizations seeking to improve their approaches to urban health and cross-sectoral planning.

Training Format and Schedule

The WHO training will be delivered entirely online.

The programme consists of four online sessions, each lasting two hours.

The scheduled sessions are:

• 17 September 2026
• 24 September 2026
• 1 October 2026
• 8 October 2026

Each session will take place from 14:00 to 16:00 CET.

In addition to the live sessions, participants should expect approximately 4 to 6 hours of offline preparation and assignment work.

Online Delivery Through Zoom

The programme will be delivered through Zoom and will combine different learning approaches, including:

• Expert presentations
• Breakout discussions
• Interactive exercises
• Practical application of the Resource Kit
• Case studies
• Collaborative exercises

Participants will therefore be expected to take an active role rather than simply attend lectures.

Participation and Attendance Requirements

Successful applicants will be expected to actively participate throughout the programme.

The WHO requires participants to:

• Attend 100% of the training sessions.
• Participate actively in the sessions.
• Complete assigned preparation and other required assignments.
• Engage in collaborative and interactive exercises.

Participants who meet the attendance and engagement requirements will receive a certificate of completion.

What Do Applicants Need to Submit?

Applicants must prepare three main components for their application.

1. Letter of Interest

Applicants must submit a letter of interest of no more than 500 words.

The letter should explain:

• The applicant’s relevant professional experience.
• Their motivation for participating in the training.
• Their interest in applying the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit.

Applicants should use the letter to demonstrate how their professional background aligns with the objectives of the programme.

2. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must provide an up-to-date CV highlighting their academic qualifications, professional experience and relevant work in urban health, multi-sectoral collaboration, policy-making, facilitation or related areas.

The CV should clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets the programme’s professional and academic requirements.

3. Personal Video Statement

Applicants are required to submit a personal video statement of no more than five minutes.

The video must respond to the question:

Why do you want to participate in this training and apply the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit?

Applicants must also answer two of the scenario-based questions provided by the WHO.

Scenario Questions for the Video Statement

Applicants can choose two of the following scenarios.

Scenario 1: Urban Health Multi-Sectoral Project

Applicants may describe an urban health multi-sectoral project they have worked on.

They should explain:

• The objective of the project.
• Who was involved.
• How the project was implemented.

This question provides an opportunity to demonstrate practical experience in working across sectors.

Scenario 2: Multi-Sectoral Coordination Challenge

Applicants may describe a challenge they encountered while facilitating or coordinating a multi-sectoral project.

They should explain:

• What the challenge was.
• Who was involved.
• How they addressed the challenge.
• How the issue was ultimately resolved.

This allows applicants to demonstrate problem-solving, coordination, communication and facilitation skills.

Scenario 3: Relevant Strengths and Skills

Applicants can alternatively discuss their strengths and skills in relation to the objectives of the training.

They should explain:

• Which skills they consider critical for conducting an urban health capacities assessment and response exercise.
• How they developed those skills.
• Examples of situations where they have applied those skills.

Applicants should use concrete professional examples wherever possible.

How to Apply for the WHO Urban Health Training

Applicants are required to submit their:

• Letter of interest
• CV
• Personal video statement

The application should be sent by email to the WHO at urbanhealth@who.int, with copies to obandof@who.int and macauleym@who.int.

The required email subject line is:

“Urban health capacities Training Application”

Applicants should ensure that all required materials are included before submitting their application.

APPLY HERE

WHO Urban Health Training Deadline

There is an important deadline discrepancy in the WHO announcement that applicants should be aware of.

The announcement headline states:

Deadline for submissions: 4 September 2026.

However, the detailed submission instructions state that applications should be submitted by 28 August 2026.

Because the detailed submission instructions provide the earlier date, applicants should treat 28 August 2026 as the safer deadline and submit as soon as possible rather than waiting for 4 September.

Is the WHO Training Free?

Yes. The WHO states that participation in the training is free.

The working language of the programme is English.

Applicants should nevertheless take into account any personal costs associated with internet access, equipment and participation in the online sessions, as the source does not specify financial support for such expenses.

Countries and Regions Eligible to Apply

The WHO announcement does not specify a restricted list of eligible countries or a particular continent from which applicants must originate.

The opportunity is therefore presented as an international professional training opportunity for eligible professionals, with the WHO specifically stating that women and professionals from low- and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply.

The emphasis on low- and middle-income countries makes the opportunity particularly relevant to professionals working in developing urban environments where rapid urbanization, climate pressures, infrastructure gaps and socio-economic inequalities can create complex health challenges.

Who Is Most Likely to Benefit From This Training?

The programme could be particularly valuable for professionals whose work involves influencing urban policies, programmes or systems.

Potential applicants include:

• Urban health professionals
• Public health policymakers
• City practitioners
• Local government officials
• Urban planners
• Transport and mobility professionals
• Housing and infrastructure practitioners
• Environmental and climate resilience professionals
• Food systems and nutrition professionals
• Social service professionals
• Security and justice practitioners
• Economic development professionals
• Civil society practitioners
• Academics working on urban health
• Professionals facilitating multi-sectoral partnerships
• Professionals involved in inter-agency collaboration
• Practitioners working to improve urban living conditions

The strongest applicants are likely to be those who can demonstrate both professional experience and an ability to work collaboratively across sectors.

Why This Opportunity Could Be Valuable for Professionals

The WHO training offers participants an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of how different urban systems interact with health.

Rather than approaching urban health as the responsibility of one institution or profession, the programme promotes a collaborative model in which multiple sectors contribute to healthier urban environments.

Participants can potentially benefit from:

• Developing practical urban health assessment skills.
• Learning how to identify capacity gaps and existing strengths.
• Improving multi-sectoral coordination skills.
• Strengthening policy and governance approaches.
• Learning about sustainable financing and resource mobilization.
• Developing stakeholder engagement and participation skills.
• Applying evidence and data to urban health decision-making.
• Learning through case studies and collaborative exercises.
• Connecting with other professionals working in urban health.
• Receiving a certificate of completion after meeting the programme requirements.

The programme’s emphasis on practical application means that participants can potentially use the Resource Kit within their own professional and urban contexts after completing the training.

Visit HERE for more information about the WHO 2026 Urban Health Training.

How Applicants Can Prepare a Strong Application

Although the WHO announcement does not provide a ranking formula for applications, prospective applicants can strengthen their submissions by clearly connecting their experience to the programme’s objectives.

Applicants should consider demonstrating:

Relevant Professional Experience

Explain previous work involving urban health, city development, public policy, infrastructure, community engagement, environmental management or another field affecting urban health.

Multi-Sectoral Experience

Clearly describe experience working with people or institutions from different sectors. This is particularly important because cross-sectoral collaboration is central to the training.

Facilitation and Coordination Skills

Applicants applying as individual facilitators should emphasize experience organizing stakeholder dialogues, joint planning activities, inter-agency collaborations or other multi-sectoral processes.

A Clear Urban Health Challenge

Applicants who apply as teams should identify a specific urban health goal that the team shares. They should also demonstrate how the members’ different sectoral backgrounds contribute to addressing that goal.

Practical Examples

For the video statement, applicants should avoid relying only on general statements about their skills. The scenario questions provide an opportunity to demonstrate practical experience through specific examples, including challenges encountered, actions taken and results achieved.

Important Information for Team Applicants

Professionals interested in applying as a team should consider forming a group of three or four eligible individuals before submitting their application.

The team should:

1. Include three to four professionals.
2. Ensure members meet the stated eligibility criteria.
3. Include individuals from at least two different sectors or organizations.
4. Identify a shared urban health goal.
5. Demonstrate experience or interest in addressing urban health challenges.
6. Prepare an application that communicates how the team could benefit from applying the Resource Kit together.

Because preference is given to teams, eligible professionals who already collaborate across sectors may wish to consider a team application.

Key Details at a Glance

Opportunity: 2nd WHO Training on Urban Health Capacity Assessment and Response Kit

Organiser: World Health Organization

Category: Training / Professional Development Opportunity

Format: Online

Platform: Zoom

Duration: Four weeks

Training dates: 17 September, 24 September, 1 October and 8 October 2026

Session time: 14:00–16:00 CET

Session length: Two hours per session

Additional commitment: Approximately 4–6 hours for offline preparation and assignments

Expected participants: Approximately 50

Cost: Free

Working language: English

Academic requirement: Bachelor’s-level university degree

Experience requirement: At least five years of professional experience, or three years plus an advanced degree

Additional experience: Multi-sectoral work and facilitation, plus demonstrated interest or experience in urban health and capacity building

Team option: Three to four people from at least two sectors or organizations

Application documents: Letter of interest, CV, and personal video statement

Letter limit: Maximum 500 words

Video limit: Maximum five minutes

Certificate: Awarded to participants who meet attendance and engagement requirements

Priority encouragement: Women and professionals from low- and middle-income countries

Deadline stated in announcement header: 4 September 2026

Deadline stated in detailed submission instructions: 28 August 2026

Conclusion

The WHO 2026 Urban Health Capacity Assessment and Response Kit Training presents an opportunity for professionals and cross-sectoral teams to strengthen their ability to address the increasingly complex health challenges associated with urbanization.

The programme recognizes that healthier cities require cooperation across multiple areas, including health, transportation, housing, infrastructure, climate resilience, food systems, governance, economic development and community participation. Through the Urban Health Capacities Assessment and Response Resource Kit, participants will learn how to assess existing capacities, identify gaps, develop practical response strategies and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to professionals with experience in urban development, public policy, public health, local government and multisectoral facilitation. Teams of three to four professionals from different sectors are encouraged, while experienced individual facilitators with strong local government connections can also apply.

Since the source contains different dates for the submission deadline, prospective applicants should exercise caution and follow the earlier 28 August 2026 deadline stated in the detailed submission instructions unless the WHO confirms otherwise.

For professionals seeking to strengthen their expertise in urban health, intersectoral collaboration and evidence-based urban policy, this free WHO training offers an opportunity to gain practical skills, engage with peers and apply a structured resource to real-world urban health challenges.

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