How can cities adapt to automation and AI while also tackling the climate crisis? These two challenges are closely linked, and there is no single solution. Cities need human ingenuity and a solid base of future-ready skills – digital, green, and human-centred – to stay competitive and attractive for companies, tourists and residents.
Future skills mean digital fluency (such as AI and data literacy), green skills to support the low-carbon transition, and human-centred competencies like critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Developing these skills is vital to strengthen resilience, ensure inclusive growth, and prepare citizens for the demands of tomorrow’s economy.
The latest edition of the Eurocities Next Generation Academy, hosted by the city of Dublin on 3-4 December 2025, will help participants build these skills and design innovative policy solutions.
The training is open to young professionals, students and city officials who are under 30 years old. It gives participants the chance to strengthen their skills and knowledge while contributing to Dublin’s goal of creating long-term economic resilience in the digital transition.
The challenge
How can the city of Dublin close future skills gaps in an inclusive and sustainable way to strengthen its long-term economic resilience? This will be the central challenged presented to training participants.
This central challenge will supported by three sub-challenges that will drive discussion, learning, and peer-to-peer exchange throughout the Next Generation training programme:
Sub-challenge 1 – Mapping the gaps: Where are the current and future skills gaps, and how can we identify them effectively and inclusively?
Sub-challenge 2 – Building the skills: How can cities support residents to gain the skills they will need to access the future workforce and contribute to Dublin’s economy?
Sub-challenge 3 – Activating the talent: How can cities create real, local opportunities for people to apply their new skills and stay engaged in the local economy?”
Programme
The programme combines online preparation with an intensive two-day in-person workshop in Dublin. It balances theory with practical, hands-on applications skills tailored to participants needs.
Online phase:
- Onboarding session – introductions, agenda overview, and expectations.
- Challenge context session – background on Dublin’s skills challenges and international perspectives.
In-person training (3-4 December 2025, Dublin):
- Expert inputs on future skills and urban resilience.
- Case-based learning using real city examples.
- Hands-on sessions to co-develop policy strategies.
- Presentation of action-based solutions to the City of Dublin, with feedback from experts and city officials.
The programme will be delivered in English.
Who should apply?
The training is open to individuals up to 30 years old, including:
- University students and young professionals from Dublin.
- City officials and civil servants from Eurocities member cities.
- International urban professionals and students.
Why apply?
By joining, you will:
- Gain practical experience in shaping policies for urban resilience.
- Strengthen your skills in digital, green, and human-centred competencies.
- Work directly with city officials, experts, and peers from across Europe.
- Have an opportunity to receive knowledge and feedback from experts Sara Diaz of Barcelona Activa, and Anastasia Nedayvoda of UNICEF’s Giga initiative, as well as experts from the city of Dublin.
- Participation is free of charge, but participants must cover their own travel and accommodation.
How to apply
Applicants should fill out this application form. The programme is limited to 20 participants, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Successful applicants will receive an onboarding package before the online kick-off meeting.
Interested?
For further information, please contact: Guillem Ramírez Chico, Coordinator of the Eurocities Academy at guillem.ramirez-chico@eurocities.eu
