EMERGING URBAN LEADERS

The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed urban populations’ relationship with green and blue spaces. Demand for access to nature has increased throughout the world, creating new pressures on urban park systems and raising questions about equality of access, funding and management.

The Emerging Urban Leaders program is an initiative from Salzburg Global Seminar and World Urban Parks to bring together future urban leaders who are looking to develop their ideas about urban parks as a critical component of quality cities of the future. The program will provide thought leadership in safe spaces for emerging urban leaders, help collectively advance critical urban parks work, and create and build connections with emerging urban leaders.

Applications are now open. Deadline: 23:59 (MST), March 31, 2022

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Participation

The program is open to anyone to apply to. There are no age restrictions and applicants can come from any type of organization. Successful applicants will have a project idea to create social change and strengthen the urban communities’ interaction with nature within their context that they are committed to carrying through to implementation.

Up to 30 applicants will be selected to participate in the second cohort. Applicants will be selected by the organizing staff and a panel of expert judges.

Program Application Criteria

To be eligible for the program. all applicants must:

Be proficient in English, the working language for the program.
Work in an urban environment.
Have an idea or a vision for changing and improving their urban context.
Want to become an active member of Emerging Urban Leaders program, and be prepared to commit time, energy, and resources to sustain this.
Aim to create social change and strengthen the urban communities’ interaction with nature within their context.
Demonstrate creativity in their approach to work, openness to innovation and risk-taking, action orientation, and entrepreneurial inclination.
Have a cross-sectoral approach to work and/or demonstrate an interest in building cross-sectoral alliances/partnerships beyond their current sector.
There are no age restrictions and applicants can come from any type of organization

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit the following information online using the registration at

A brief bio (approximately 200 words) (sample on the application form);
A photo of yourself (showing your face);
A CV/Resume including name and email address of 2 references;
Description of the idea you would like to develop through participation in the program and how it contributes to urban parks innovation (Approximately 500 words):;
A personal statement (approx. 500 words) detailing:
- Your motivation for applying to the Program
- What skills and/or knowledge you would like to contribute to the Program
- How you anticipate your participation will impact your local community
- What needs to change to put your idea into practice

Time commitment

We estimate that participating in the program will require around one day per month. This time include a combination of individual work, mentor sessions, and network meetings.

Format

This new global network will meet online on a monthly basis from September 2022 – August 2023.

Apply

Applications are open until 23:59 (CET) on 31 March 2022. All applicants will be contacted in early May and the first cohort will meet for two hours a month from September 2022. Applications will be assessed by the organizing team and a panel of external judges.

To apply, please click HERE