Collaborate Nationally. Implement Locally.
Uniting dedicated advocates from diverse fields and backgrounds across North America.
This program is for you if...
You’re an active leader in your community whether an elected official, Local Conversation leader or community organizer.
You want to connect and converse with Strong Towns advocates in cities and towns across the country — people who might face similar challenges to you.
You want to learn from Strong Towns leaders and staff and have your voice be a part of shaping the Strong Towns movement in your place.
You have a particular challenge in your community that you want to delve deep into and address with the Strong Towns approach.
Introducing the Strong Towns Cohort
Built for collaboration. Built for learning. Built for leaders.
Form friendships and partnerships with other passionate advocates that long outlast this eight-month program.
Dive deeper than ever before into the Strong Towns approach and campaigns.
Use the thinkers and doers in the Cohort to implement impactful ideas in your place.
An 8-Month Program
Learn the importance of productive growth, the power of resilience, and the value of quality over quantity, all while addressing real challenges in real communities.
01
Workshop a challenge your community is facing.
02
Develop concrete steps to address it.
03
Build lifelong connections with fellow Strong Towns advocates.
Photo by ZED Images
Seven monthly virtual sessions culminating in a celebration at the Strong Towns National Gathering.
Each live Zoom session will begin with a conversation led by a Strong Towns team member, followed by a Q&A. The remainder of the session will be built around presentations led by individual Cohort members, focusing on an issue in their community that they are facing and want help with. Your peers and Strong Towns staff will provide facilitated feedback, discussion and advice.
All sessions take place 6-8 p.m. CT on Wednesdays.
The Cohort will also meet periodically outside of these Wednesday conversations for additional optional office hours, informal virtual meet-ups and feedback sessions with fellow students and Strong Towns staff.
November 13, 2024
Session 1: Orientation, Introduction, Four-Step Process
Session 1: Orientation, Introduction, Four-Step Process
December 11, 2024
Session 2: Incremental Housing
Session 2: Incremental Housing
January 8, 2025
Session 3: End Parking Minimums
Session 3: End Parking Minimums
February 12, 2025
Session 4: Safe and Productive Streets
Session 4: Safe and Productive Streets
March 12, 2025
Session 5: End Highway Expansion
Session 5: End Highway Expansion
April 9, 2025
Session 6: Transparent Local Accounting
Session 6: Transparent Local Accounting
May 14, 2025
Session 7: Building a Movement Together
Session 7: Building a Movement Together
June 9-11, 2025
National Gathering in Providence, Rhode Island
National Gathering in Providence, Rhode Island
Up to 30 participants will be accepted for the 2024-25 Cohort.
This is an intensive program that requires investment from you and from the Strong Towns team. We encourage you to solicit financial support from your neighborhood association, employer, university, local foundations, etc. We will offer a small number of scholarships, with more to come in future years. We are also happy to discuss payment plans.
8-month Strong Towns Cohort
$800
Includes:
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Monthly, two-hour virtual conversations featuring remarks from Strong Towns leaders and staff.
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Extended discussion and workshopping with fellow Cohort members.
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Free ticket to 2025 National Gathering in Providence, Rhode Island, June 9-11.
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In-person meeting at 2025 National Gathering along with formal honoring.
Applications for the 2024-25 Cohort are now closed.
Please join our email list to stay up to date on announcements about the new application class in 2025.
Have questions about the Cohort program?
Please contact Rachel Quednau, program director, at rachel@strongtowns.org.