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\u2019s most renowned academics and practitioners and together explore possible solutions. Led by Iv\u00e1n Tosics, the course promises a deep dive into urban governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 R\u00e1kosi Bunker. The cost of the course is sponsored by the Municipality, meaning that there is no tuition fee for participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TOPICS OF THE CITY GOVERNANCE ACADEMY (EXCERPT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Theoretical Foundations for the Study of Urban Governance. The Place and Role of Urban Governance in the Governance System, in an International Comparison<\/p>\n\n\n\n European and Hungarian Practices in Local Government Regulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n How Does a Local Government Function in Reality?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Budapest: How Is a Local Government Budget Formed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n European models of integrated urban development and domestic practice<\/p>\n\n\n\n Municipal asset management and real estate development<\/p>\n\n\n\n City diplomacy. The role of Budapest\u2019s representation in Brussels from the perspective of local, national, and EU decision-making<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regulation and tools of municipal urban planning and development<\/p>\n\n\n\n Domestic regulation and practice of organizing local infrastructure public services<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good mobility solutions adaptable to Budapest, the transformation of public transportation in Budapest<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urban rehabilitation and the renewal of brownfield sites, environmental policy, the enhancement of public spaces for community purposes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Housing and social services<\/p>\n\n\n\n Combating homelessness, poverty, and exclusion, and educational segregation<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cities and tourism<\/p>\n\n\n\n Models for ensuring citizen participation<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participatory budgeting<\/p>\n\n\n\n Municipal communication<\/p>\n\n\n\n Data-driven urban governance in practice<\/p>\n\n\n\n City Governance Academy: the organizing team and the Academic Board<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Program Director<\/strong>: Iv\u00e1n Tosics<\/p>\n\n\n\n VKA Secretariat<\/strong>: Andr\u00e1s Mil\u00e1nkovich, D\u00e1niel G. Szab\u00f3, Zsuzsa Mohai<\/p>\n\n\n\n VKA Academic Board:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n J\u00e1nos Atk\u00e1ri, former Deputy Mayor, Director of P\u00e9nz\u00fcgykutat\u00f3 Zrt.,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Judit Bodn\u00e1r, PhD, university professor, CEU Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology<\/p>\n\n\n\n J\u00f3zsef Heged\u00fcs, PhD, economist and sociologist, expert in housing policy and local government, Director of V\u00e1roskutat\u00e1s Kft.,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c1gnes Hitesy, expert in international urban development and grant applications, Director of HitesyBartuczHollai Euroconsulting Ltd.,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Istv\u00e1n Hoffman, PhD, university professor, Department of Administrative Law, ELTE Faculty of Law,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ilona P\u00e1ln\u00e9 Kov\u00e1cs, full member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences,<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u00e1bor P\u00e9teri, PhD, economist, municipal finance expert,<\/p>\n\n\n\n P\u00e9ter Szegv\u00e1ri, former chief clerk of the capital city, former deputy state secretary, international regional development expert, senior consultant, City Consult Bt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Csaba Tordai, chief legal advisor to the mayor, former State Secretary for Legal and Administrative Affairs at the Prime Minister\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In April 2023, the Municipality of Budapest launched an exciting new initiative: the City Governance Academy. 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