International Mentoring Program

Mentoring Community Meet-Ups

From Online to In-Person. Build Your Network, City by City. Informal gatherings where mentors and mentees connect face-to-face, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships.

Professionals networking
🍺 Drinks are on us!
Why We Do This

Purpose of the Initiative

At CITIES FORUM, we believe the value of mentoring goes beyond formal sessions. The most meaningful professional relationships often start in informal settings, such as over coffee or after-work conversations. For this reason, we are launching Mentoring Community Meet-Ups, in-person gatherings where mentors and mentees in the same city can meet and build real connections beyond the screen.

Break the ice between members of the program

❤️

Strengthen the sense of community within the mentoring network

💬

Create opportunities for informal professional conversations

🤝

Encourage collaboration and long-term connections

"The goal is simple: meet people, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections."

Where We Meet

Cities Selected for the Meet-Ups

We've identified cities where a significant number of mentors and mentees are located. The first round of meet-ups will take place in:

New York City
🗽

New York City

Madrid
🏰

Madrid

Mexico City

Mexico City

Rotterdam
🚲

Rotterdam

Berlin
🐻

Berlin

Brussels
🧇

Brussels

…more to come! 🌍

📅 Dates & venues will be scheduled based on participants' preferences

Informal conversations
The Format

What to Expect

The format is intentionally simple. Each meet-up will last as long as participants want, with no formal agenda. The goal is to create a comfortable setting where everyone can interact naturally.

Introduce yourselves, share your professional journey, discuss current projects, or simply exchange personal stories. These informal conversations are the best way to discover common interests and build genuine connections. 💬

Meet interesting people, have good conversations, enjoy the moment.

Building Together

A Community-Building Initiative

The International Mentoring Program brings together professionals from many countries and backgrounds. While most of the program takes place online, face-to-face interactions can significantly strengthen the network. These meet-ups are an experiment in building a real global community — one city at a time. 🌏

Spark new professional relationships

👥

Encourage collaborations between mentors and mentees

❤️

Create lasting friendships within the Cities Forum network

🎉

Join the Conversation!

If you're based in one of the selected cities, we warmly encourage you to participate. Come meet fellow urban planners, exchange ideas, and enjoy a relaxed evening with colleagues from this community.

Express your interest at mentoring@citiesforum.org

☕ And remember: the drinks are on us! ☕