Press release -
Calling All Next Urban Change-Makers: Apply for the 2026 Young Leaders Programme
Ljubljana, October 7, 2025 – Urban Future invites young urbanists under 30 years old to join the 2026 Young Leaders Programme, a dynamic, hands-on experience combining expert workshops, exclusive networking, and inspiring activities. The programme takes place within Europe’s largest gathering on sustainable cities – The Better-Cities Event.
The Young Leaders Programme will be held on March 24, 2026, in Ljubljana, offering 50 participants a unique platform to learn, exchange ideas, and collaborate. Accepted participants will also have access to the full Urban Future Conference (March 24–27, 2026).
What has started in 2019 in Oslo, has developed into a global network of 190+ alumni from 45 countries and 95 cities.
EUROCITIES joins as a content partner, giving young leaders a front-row seat to cutting-edge urban innovation and transformation.
Earlier editions of the programme have been led by inspiring speakers such as Maria Vassilakou, former Vice Mayor of Vienna, Jennifer Keesmaat, former Chief Urban Planner of Toronto, or Enrique Peñalosa, former Mayor of Bogotá.
Some examples of previous Young Leaders include: Maral Koohestanian, Mariana Marmelada, Ilya Yacine, or David Klepej.
Applications open October 7 and close November 4, 2025, with the cohort announced in late November.
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At Urban Future you meet people who drive change to make our cities more sustainable. Be it mayors, architects, mobility experts, city planners, scientists, sustainability managers, representatives from start ups, environmentalists, innovation experts or others. What unites them is their passion for better cities.
