Find your direction, build your global network and design the next stage of your urban planning career.

The Second Cohort begins on 26 October 2026 and runs until early March 2027. The core programme is delivered over approximately 16 weeks, followed by continued community and platform access.

It is designed for early and mid-career urban planners.

Yes. Applicants should show a clear interest in urban planning and explain how mentoring can support their transition, specialisation or first professional steps.

Yes. The programme is international and delivered online, allowing participants from any country to join. The first cohort included 67 mentees from 21 countries.

English is the main working language for mentoring, live sessions, platform content and community interaction. Participants should be able to communicate professionally in English.

Most mentoring and learning activities take place online. The programme also includes community meetups in selected cities and concludes with an optional in-person Final Study Visit in Madrid.

Most participants should plan for approximately three to five hours per week, depending on their mentoring schedule, learning activities and level of community participation.

Yes. The programme is designed to be compatible with professional and academic commitments, provided that participants plan their sessions in advance and remain actively engaged.

Mentoring sessions, webinars, workshops and masterclasses are recorded and made available through the learning platform. Some interactive or confidential activities may remain available only to live participants.

CITIES FORUM curates a network of more than 100 international professionals with experience across urban planning, mobility, climate, governance, design, technology and related fields.

The programme team recommend suitable mentors based on the participant's professional needs and goals, nevertheless participants can also select mentors freely if they want.

Yes, this is key. The model is designed to give participants access to different perspectives, sectors and geographies rather than limiting them to one mentor for the entire programme.

Individual sessions normally last between 30 and 40 min. Each session should focus on a defined objective, decision, challenge or professional development priority.

Access to a specific mentor cannot be guaranteed. The programme team will help identify alternative mentors with relevant expertise and comparable value for the participant's goals.

The Standard Programme includes 15 individual sessions, the Plus Programme includes 25, and the Full Experience Programme includes 35. The Scholarship Track includes five individual sessions.

Standard provides the complete mentoring and community experience. Plus adds deeper mentoring, greater visibility and accommodation in Madrid. Full Experience adds the highest number of sessions, priority access, extended booking time, flights and accommodation for Madrid, and additional professional positioning benefits subject to assessment.

Yes. Participants who need further support may book additional sessions through the platform for €40 per session.

The mentoring sessions included in each plan should ideally be used during the active programme period. However, we understand that participants may need additional time, and unused sessions will remain available after the programme ends. Participants will continue to have access to the mentoring platform indefinitely and may also purchase additional sessions with mentors at any time.

All plans include long-term access to the mentoring and learning platforms, recorded content and selected community activities beyond the official cohort period.

The Standard Programme costs €3,300, the Plus Programme €5,100, and the Full Experience Programme €8,500. The services included vary by plan.

Yes. Eligible participants may request a payment plan. The number, amount and timing of instalments are confirmed individually before enrolment is completed.

Selected applicants may receive access to the Scholarship Track with participant contributions equivalent to a 20%, 40%, 60% or 80% reduction relative to the €3,300 Standard Programme fee.

The first round closes on 31 August 2026, in case we can launch a second round it will be until 30 September 2026. Availability decreases as scholarship allocations are committed.

No. A scholarship offer is secured only after the candidate accepts it, signs the programme agreement and completes the required initial payment within the stated deadline.

It is a three-day in-person experience where participants and mentors meet, network and take part in technical visits, collaborative sessions and programme closing activities.

Standard includes access to the visit but not travel or accommodation. Plus includes accommodation. Full Experience includes flights and accommodation, subject to the terms of the individual offer.

No. Participants can complete the mentoring programme without travelling to Madrid. However, the visit provides additional networking, learning and community value.

Yes. Participants who meet the programme requirements receive a certificate of completion issued by CITIES FORUM.

No. The programme provides guidance, mentoring, international exposure, learning and professional connections. Results depend on each participant's preparation, engagement and implementation of the advice received.