An online education programme for city leaders | Apply by 24 September 2026
The Urban95 Academy is a fully-funded executive education programme for municipal leaders worldwide to learn and develop strategies to make cities better for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. First launched in 2021 by the London School of Economics and Political Science(LSE Cities) and Van Leer Foundation,the programme will now reach and support a growing network of urban leaders throughout Africa. This expansion is being delivered through a partnership with the African Centre for Cities (ACC).
Selected participants access a fully-funded leadership training programme focused on how to design and deliver better cities for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. The course is delivered over seven weeks online and participants join a growing global network of practitioners working to improve the lives of children in their cities. Some cities will have the opportunity to study in-person in Cape Town and access other technical support. The Urban95 Academy is open to all Mayors, municipal leaders, city planners, designers and urban professionals working in local government.
Blended learning
The Urban95 Academy online course consists of two components, 15 online modules and 7 weekly live Zoom sessions. Two to three modules will be released each week through the dedicated online learning platform: Learn Worlds. These sessions will have a mix of readings, videos, and assignments to view and complete at a time that is convenient to you.
In addition, there will be seven 60-minute live Zoom session each week with LSE and UCT faculty guest speakers and fellow cohort participants. All team members are welcome to join the sessions, however, at least one member of every team is required to attend the live Zoom session each week.
Who can apply for the Urban95 Academy Africa programme?
The Urban95 Academy Africa programme is open to Mayors and municipal leaders from all local governments across the continent. This includes city planners, designers and other urban professionals working for local city government. If you are not a city official but have an established history of working closely with a local government for example as part of an NGO, you can form a team with the municipality you are working with.
How to apply
Applications are now open and the deadline to apply to participate in the Urban95 Academy Africa programme is 24 September 2026. The course will begin online in October 2026 and selected teams will be invited to travel to Cape Town to participate in a residence week at the University of Cape Town in March 2027. All aspects of the programme are fully funded and free of cost to participants.
To register your interest and apply, visit the Urban95 Academywebsite.
