International NGO by the International Doctoral Council

City Economic Forum

An International City-Level Economic Forum by the International Doctoral Council

The City Economic Forum provides structure, research frameworks, and global coordination for university-led city economic forums focused on applied economic development.

What We Provide

Comprehensive structure, standards, and global coordination to advance city-level economic development.

Global Structure & Standards

Unified frameworks and standards that enable consistency across city forums worldwide.

Membership Systems

Individual, institutional, and research memberships that fund applied economic research.

Applied Research Frameworks

Rigorous research methodologies designed for real-world economic development impact.

City Economic Narratives

Evidence-based storytelling that showcases each city's unique economic opportunities.

Research Publication & Dissemination

Global platforms for publishing and sharing white papers, city reports, and policy briefs.

Global Networking

Connection to an international community of practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers.

Media Partnerships & Promotion

Strategic media coordination and visibility for forum initiatives and research insights.

University-Led Self-Governance

Universities retain complete autonomy and self-governance. City Economic Forum provides the structure, standards, and global coordination—not control.

University Leadership

  • Full autonomy in city forum operations
  • Independent research agendas and methodologies
  • Control over local stakeholder engagement
  • Event organization and management
  • Revenue and sponsorship decisions

Our Support

  • Global research standards and frameworks
  • International coordination and networking
  • Publication and dissemination platforms
  • Media partnerships and global visibility
  • Best practice synthesis and knowledge sharing

Global City Economic Forums

The City Economic Forum operates through a global network of designated city chapters. Each city forum is hosted and executed by a university or a consortium of universities. The City Economic Forum provides structure, research standards, memberships, and global visibility. Universities retain full self-governance.

San Diego

United States

Active

Monterrey

Mexico

Active

Ensenada

Mexico

Forming

Toronto

Canada

Seeking University Partner

Vancouver

Canada

Seeking University Partner

Mexico City

Mexico

Seeking University Partner

São Paulo

Brazil

Seeking University Partner

Buenos Aires

Argentina

Seeking University Partner

Santiago

Chile

Seeking University Partner

Lima

Peru

Seeking University Partner

London

United Kingdom

Seeking University Partner

Paris

France

Seeking University Partner

Berlin

Germany

Seeking University Partner

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Seeking University Partner

Zurich

Switzerland

Seeking University Partner

Stockholm

Sweden

Seeking University Partner

Copenhagen

Denmark

Seeking University Partner

Madrid

Spain

Seeking University Partner

Barcelona

Spain

Seeking University Partner

Milan

Italy

Seeking University Partner

Warsaw

Poland

Seeking University Partner

Prague

Czech Republic

Seeking University Partner

Istanbul

Turkey

Seeking University Partner

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Seeking University Partner

Shanghai

China

Seeking University Partner

Beijing

China

Seeking University Partner

Singapore

Singapore

Seeking University Partner

Tokyo

Japan

Seeking University Partner

Seoul

South Korea

Seeking University Partner

Bangkok

Thailand

Seeking University Partner

Hanoi

Vietnam

Seeking University Partner

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Seeking University Partner

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Seeking University Partner

Cairo

Egypt

Seeking University Partner

Johannesburg

South Africa

Seeking University Partner

Lagos

Nigeria

Seeking University Partner

Nairobi

Kenya

Seeking University Partner

Istanbul

Turkey

Seeking University Partner

Tel Aviv

Israel

Seeking University Partner

Beirut

Lebanon

Seeking University Partner

Sydney

Australia

Seeking University Partner

Melbourne

Australia

Seeking University Partner

Auckland

New Zealand

Seeking University Partner

Los Angeles

United States

Seeking University Partner

New York

United States

Seeking University Partner

Chicago

United States

Seeking University Partner

Boston

United States

Seeking University Partner

Seattle

United States

Seeking University Partner

Denver

United States

Seeking University Partner

Austin

United States

Seeking University Partner

Is your city interested in joining the City Economic Forum network?

How a City Joins

A structured, rigorous process to ensure academic excellence and successful forum establishment

01

University Application

University or consortium submits application with city context and research interests

02

Academic Coordination Team

Designate leadership team and establish research coordination structure

03

Forum-Enabled Space

Establish physical or virtual hub for forum activities and stakeholder engagement

04

Research & Membership Plan

Define research agenda, membership approach, and local partnerships

05

Accreditation Review

CEF reviews academic rigor and alignment with global standards

06

Forum Launch

Official launch with global network integration and media announcement

Ready to Start?

Contact our team to discuss how your university or consortium can establish a City Economic Forum and join our global network.

Responsibilities & Value Exchange

A clear partnership model where City Economic Forum and universities complement each other

City Economic Forum Responsibilities

Membership Management

Handle member recruitment, retention, and engagement across the global network

Global Research Publication

Coordinate publication strategy, dissemination, and peer review processes

Media & Narrative Coordination

Manage communications, press relationships, and global storytelling

Best Practice Synthesis

Aggregate insights across forums and share standards for excellence

University/Association Responsibilities

Event Organization

Plan and execute forums, conferences, and local engagement activities

Local Stakeholder Engagement

Build relationships with government, industry, and community partners

Research Execution

Conduct original research, analysis, and city economic assessments

Sponsorships & Revenue

Generate funding through memberships, sponsorships, and events

Our Four Pillars

A comprehensive framework for sustainable urban economic transformation.

01

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Supporting startup ecosystems and technological advancement in urban centers.

02

Inclusive Growth

Ensuring economic opportunities reach all segments of urban populations.

03

Sustainability

Integrating environmental responsibility into economic development strategies.

04

Institutional Integration

Bridging academia, government, and industry for coordinated action.

Our Impact

Real results from our collaborative approach to urban economic development.

15+
Cities Connected
200+
Partner Institutions
$50M+
Economic Impact
5000+
Active Members

Knowledge Exchange

Sharing best practices and research across our global network of cities and institutions.

Policy Innovation

Translating evidence into actionable policies that drive tangible economic improvements.

Capacity Building

Developing skills and expertise of tomorrow's economic development leaders.