In April 2023, the Municipality of Budapest launched an exciting new initiative: the City Governance Academy. The course offers a comprehensive blend of theoretical and practical insights, where participants can gain invaluable knowledge about all aspects of urban governance. They can learn about the most relevant questions and challenges cities currently face from Hungary’s most renowned academics and practitioners and together explore possible solutions. Led by Iván Tosics, the course promises a deep dive into urban governance.
The course gained a lot of interest already in its first year, having received 120 applications. After a two-round selection process, 25 participants were admitted, forming a vibrant and diverse inaugural class. While some worked in the public sphere and had direct contact with city governance, many came from startups, civil organizations or private companies. The group included people with political ambitions, those looking to enrich their studies and others passionate about making the city more liveable.
On each of the 13 immersive learning days of the course, students attended three presentations covering topics ranging from transport and budgeting, to climate protection and housing. Each learning day was usually followed by a fun activity such as exploring the architectural design of the capital, visiting the Budapest Waterworks or touring the tunnel of metro line 2, which houses the former Rákosi Bunker. The cost of the course is sponsored by the Municipality, meaning that there is no tuition fee for participants.
The first class of the City Governance Academy concluded in early December 2023, followed by a 2-day-long field trip to Vienna offering students insights into Austrian and European urban policy. To cap off the course, students prepared and then defended a final essay in a closed professional conference. Those who successfully completed the programme, received an accredited adult learning diploma from the Budapest Cultural Center.
Following the positive reception of the first year of the VKA, the second year was held between October 2024 and June 2025, with 27 students selected in a similar manner. The third year, also with 27 students, runs between October 2025 and June 2026.
TOPICS OF THE CITY GOVERNANCE ACADEMY (EXCERPT)
Theoretical Foundations for the Study of Urban Governance. The Place and Role of Urban Governance in the Governance System, in an International Comparison
European and Hungarian Practices in Local Government Regulation
How Does a Local Government Function in Reality?
Budapest: How Is a Local Government Budget Formed?
European models of integrated urban development and domestic practice
Municipal asset management and real estate development
City diplomacy. The role of Budapest’s representation in Brussels from the perspective of local, national, and EU decision-making
Regulation and tools of municipal urban planning and development
Domestic regulation and practice of organizing local infrastructure public services
Good mobility solutions adaptable to Budapest, the transformation of public transportation in Budapest
Urban rehabilitation and the renewal of brownfield sites, environmental policy, the enhancement of public spaces for community purposes
Housing and social services
Combating homelessness, poverty, and exclusion, and educational segregation
Cities and tourism
Models for ensuring citizen participation
Participatory budgeting
Municipal communication
Data-driven urban governance in practice
City Governance Academy: the organizing team and the Academic Board
Program Director: Iván Tosics
VKA Secretariat: András Milánkovich, Dániel G. Szabó, Zsuzsa Mohai
VKA Academic Board:
János Atkári, former Deputy Mayor, Director of Pénzügykutató Zrt.,
Judit Bodnár, PhD, university professor, CEU Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology
József Hegedüs, PhD, economist and sociologist, expert in housing policy and local government, Director of Városkutatás Kft.,
Ágnes Hitesy, expert in international urban development and grant applications, Director of HitesyBartuczHollai Euroconsulting Ltd.,
István Hoffman, PhD, university professor, Department of Administrative Law, ELTE Faculty of Law,
Ilona Pálné Kovács, full member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
Gábor Péteri, PhD, economist, municipal finance expert,
Péter Szegvári, former chief clerk of the capital city, former deputy state secretary, international regional development expert, senior consultant, City Consult Bt.
Csaba Tordai, chief legal advisor to the mayor, former State Secretary for Legal and Administrative Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office.