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Changemakers building future cities | 30 March-2 April 2026

Better Society Academy in Rome

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Re-imagining how cities live, grow, and thrive

Are you a social innovator, entrepreneur, researcher, policymaker, or impact-driven professional working to shape the cities of tomorrow? The Better Society Academy 2026 brings together a new generation of changemakers in Rome from 30 March until 2 April 2026 to explore how cities can become more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready. A masterclass for social innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and impact-driven professionals ready to turn local ideas into global urban transformation.

Learning

Develop your self-awareness, resilience and adaptability to lead with impact, while creating innovative solutions that push boundaries and explore new possibilities.

Connecting

Build strong networks and partnerships with other changemaking businesses and individuals who embrace a global mindset while acting locally.

Co-creating

Collaborate on real-life case studies with a diverse group of peers to foster creativity and innovative problem-solving.

Past speakers

Why we're in Rome

Rome is a city in transformation. With the opening of the new The Social Hub and a publicly accessible urban park, The Social Hub is actively regenerating the San Lorenzo district, creating new spaces for learning, community, and social interaction. For the Better Society Academy 2026, Rome becomes a living laboratory where urban regeneration, civic responsibility, and future-proof design meet. 

A 3,5 day immersive masterclass

Changemakers Building Future-Proof Cities

Our 3.5-day masterclass in Rome is an immersive experience designed for changemakers committed to building inclusive, resilient, and future-proof cities. The Better Society Academy brings together a curated European community to explore real-world urban challenges through expert-led learning, peer exchange, and hands-on collaboration. Changemakers will work on concrete cases: from housing and mobility to digital citizenship, sustainable tourism, and community driven innovation. Transforming ideas into actionable, city-level solutions.

Who should apply

We welcome professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, activists, policymakers, and community builders across Europe committed to shaping inclusive, resilient cities. Open to diverse sectors and backgrounds, united by one goal: turning local action into systemic change. 
Selected scholarship recipients receive accommodation, full programme access and group meals (travel not included). 

 

Relive the previous editions of the Better Society Academy

Previous editions of the Better Society Academy were dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with the second edition focusing on co-creating an equitable & inclusive society.

Immersive learning environments should look like this; a welcoming comfortable space that gives people room to relax, be comfortable and express themselves."

Bruce Reynolds, Founder & Creative visionary

Founder of Be the Change Associates and creative visionary behind the world’s first International Black Heritage & History Month

Ready to lead the change?

Develop your leadership & influencing skills, network with changemakers, and co-create innovative strategies for a more equitable future. Apply now to participate in the Better Society Academy 2026 in Rome.
Apply now

Learning partner

TSH Talent Foundation in collaboration with Digital Society School invite you to build together future-proof cities.

TSH Talent Foundation

The TSH Talent Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on advancing equity and opportunity through targeted programmes. Each year, we commit 1% of The Social Hub’s global revenue to the TSH Talent Foundation. The foundation envisions a world where opportunity is a right, not a privilege. We offer programmes for changemakers who have faced significant educational barriers yet possess the drive and potential to change the world. The TSH Talent Foundation begins with two programmes: The Changemaker Scholarship and the Better Society Academy. We invite like-minded foundations, institutions, companies, and individuals to join us and build our programme alongside our existing partners.

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