The MGG Academy 2026 is now open for applications. This fully funded international training and dialogue programme brings together early- to mid-career professionals who are shaping the future of global cooperation and sustainable development. Hosted in Bonn, Germany, the Academy offers a unique learning journey that combines academic excellence, leadership development, and practical action in a diverse, international environment.
Programme dates: 11 September – 29 November 2026
Location: Bonn, Germany
Application deadline: 09 March 2026
What is the MGG Academy?
The MGG Academy is an intensive, full-time programme designed to strengthen the capacity of future change-makers working in global governance and sustainability. It convenes professionals from government institutions, think tanks and research organisations, civil society, and the private sector across Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa.
The Academy provides a trusted space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration across regions, sectors, and disciplines. Participants are encouraged to engage with diverse—and sometimes contrasting—perspectives, develop the competences needed to navigate complex global transformations, and build lasting professional relationships.
At its core, the MGG Academy focuses on:
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Learning from diverse global perspectives
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Developing leadership and cooperation competences for complex global contexts
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Building a trust-based, international and institutional network
This network extends well beyond individual dialogue, linking institutions and professionals to enable long-term cooperation, joint innovation, and sustained impact.
What does the MGG Academy offer?
For participants
A global learning journey for systems thinking
Participants explore concrete global sustainability challenges and solution pathways. Through peer learning with professionals from different regions and sectors, they strengthen systems thinking skills and deepen their understanding of transformation processes in diverse global contexts.
A dialogue-oriented and interactive learning experience
The Academy uses a wide range of learning formats, including experiential and participatory methods, interactive trainings, expert inputs, facilitated dialogues, simulation exercises, study visits, and peer-to-peer learning. This approach encourages critical reflection, mutual understanding, and collective problem-solving.
A lifelong, transdisciplinary network
Participants build strong, trust-based relationships and gain access to a global network of individuals and institutions. This network supports continued collaboration, joint initiatives, and knowledge exchange long after the Academy ends.
For sending institutions
Strengthened staff capacity with a global perspective
Participants return to their organisations with enhanced leadership skills, international experience, and access to a global expert network. They actively transfer knowledge and methods gained through the programme into their daily work.
Opportunities for innovative and long-term cooperation
The programme fosters the development of joint ideas, concepts, and projects across sectors and regions. MGG supports these collaborations through various instruments aimed at innovation and scaling impact.
Partnership in a vibrant global institutional network
Sending institutions become part of a dynamic international network committed to advancing the 2030 Agenda and beyond, enabling continuous exchange and strategic cooperation.
Structure and learning dimensions
The MGG Academy integrates knowledge-based learning, leadership development, and practical application through three interconnected dimensions:
Knowledge
Academic modules focus on key questions of global governance and sustainability in times of polycrisis, geopolitical tensions, and growing polarisation. Topics include climate change, digitalisation, inequality, and international cooperation. Participants strengthen critical thinking and systems thinking skills through dialogue with international experts and practitioners.
Study trips to Brussels and Berlin provide first-hand insights into policymaking. In Berlin, the International Futures module—organised with the German Federal Foreign Office—explores diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
Leadership
Leadership modules emphasise self-leadership as the foundation for leading with others. Participants reflect on personal values, mindsets, and motivations while identifying individual leadership development pathways.
The programme also strengthens cooperation competences such as effective communication, leveraging diversity, and facilitating collaboration. Learning is supported through reflection, experiential exercises, dialogue, and individual coaching sessions.
Action
The action dimension supports participants in translating learning into practice. It includes transformative skills workshops focused on communication and storytelling, innovation, agile project management, and learning design.
During the Network in Action Week, participants work in small, diverse teams to develop joint projects or contribute to existing initiatives of MGG partner organisations. Outputs may include strategies, learning formats, or policy-relevant contributions, marking the transition into long-term engagement within the MGG network.
Methods and didactic approach
The MGG Academy is grounded in constructivist learning principles and insights from neuroscience. Learning is understood as an active, participatory process shaped by dialogue, experimentation, reflection, and real-world application.
Participants engage in a variety of methods, including simulation exercises, role play, participatory workshops, institutional visits, expert discussions, and peer learning. Professional coaching and structured reflection support individual development throughout the programme.
Support for participants
Participation in the MGG Academy is free of charge. The programme provides comprehensive support to ensure an adequate standard of living in Germany, including:
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Free participation in all programme components
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Accommodation during all stages of the programme
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Monthly allowance for local living costs (total of €2,200, paid in three instalments)
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Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
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Monthly public transport ticket
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Travel costs related to Academy activities within Germany and Europe
Please note that travel costs to Germany and support for family members cannot be provided.
Who can apply?
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
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Be a national or permanent resident of Brazil, China, the EU, India, Indonesia, Mexico, or South Africa
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Work on issues related to global governance and/or sustainable development
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Hold a university degree (minimum Bachelor’s)
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Have 3–15 years of relevant professional experience
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Have a strong command of English
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Receive written support from their employer
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Be available for full-time participation (40 hours per week)
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Be open to intercultural collaboration, reflection, and diverse working methods
Employer commitments
Employers are expected to:
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Grant leave for the full duration of the programme
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Cover international travel to and from Germany
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Support knowledge transfer after the Academy
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Ensure the living standards of the participant’s dependants during the programme
The MGG Academy is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.
Information sessions
Interested applicants are invited to join one of the online info sessions on 10 February:
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Session 1: 09:00–10:30 UTC (via Zoom)
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Session 2: 15:00–16:30 UTC (via Zoom)
Both sessions will cover the same information.
How to apply
Applications are open until 09 March 2026.
Applicants must submit:
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Completed and signed participant application form
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Completed and signed employer support form
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CV (including publications, if applicable)
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Copies of diplomas or certificates (English or English translation)
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Proof of English language proficiency
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