CHANGEMAKERS SHAPING THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE GATHER IN ROME FOR THE BETTER SOCIETY ACADEMY 2026

Rome, Italy (30 March 2026) – As part of its celebrations for B Corp Month, The Social Hub, is launching the fourth edition of the Better Society Academy, a Masterclass organised by the company’s TSH Talent Foundation. This 3.5‑day immersive learning experience awards grants to changemakers from all over Europe to connect and explore the future of our cities. The 2026 edition will be held at The Social Hub Rome from March 30 to April 2, with a focus on urban regeneration, sustainability, and civic innovation.

In the heart of the San Lorenzo district - where the Group has developed a 10,000 m² public park designed according to principles of urban bio‑architecture by botanist Antonio Perazzi, offering a concrete example of what “future‑proof” city‑making looks like 30 changemakers, including researchers, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, students and activists, selected from over a hundred of applicants, will tackle real-world challenges. The programme, structured around the Learn‑Connect‑CoCreate methodology, has been developed in collaboration with major international partners: C40 Cities, Utopian Hours, NATIVA, and Digital Society School.

A programme featuring leading names in global urbanism

Among the keynote guests of the 2026 edition is world‑renowned urbanist Carlos Moreno, creator of the “15‑Minute City” model, who will engage directly with participants and their proposals. Joining him are prominent speakers including Lorenzo Fioramonti (NATIVA), Luca Ballarini (Utopian Hours / Stratosferica), Costanza de Stefani (C40 Cities), and Frank Uffen, Chairman of The TSH Talent Foundation.

The programme includes working groups on some of the most urgent issues in Europe’s urban transformation: housing affordability, climate resilience, regeneration of public spaces, and equitable access to opportunities. Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams, supported by expert facilitators, with the goal of developing ideas and connections capable of generating concrete impact in their home communities.

The closing event

On April 2, the final day of the Masterclass, an engaging panel will showcase the participants’ projects, followed by a Graduation Ceremony during which an award will be presented to the most innovative idea developed during the masterclass. The event will also see Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder of The Social Hub, present key figures marking the hub’s first year in the Italian capital.

Frank Uffen, Chairman of the TSH Talent Foundation, said: “Many young people today experience a gap between their ideals and the real opportunities available in professional environments. The central question of this edition is not what a ‘future-proof’ city is, but how we can tangibly support a new generation of changemakers in building it - in Europe and beyond.

The Social Hub Rome is a concrete example of what can be done with an abandoned urban space: returning it to the city as a place of encounter, innovation, and beauty. It is the ideal stage to celebrate a new generation committed to doing the same for European cities.”

Newly released data from a green book valuation report delivered by Real Worth, supported by Italian consultancy LAMA, reveals that The Social Hub Rome’s community‑centric impact model and offerings like its iconic public park generate 8.1 times more social value than a traditional hotel. This translates into almost €14M in value, with a future outlook of more than €37.5M. This is particularly important data as it stresses the importance of new business models and urban regeneration projects that take into account and directly address the needs of communities.

In its first year, The Social Hub Rome has hosted more than 700 community events, welcomed more than 300 new members, developed partnerships with local organisations such as CREA San Lorenzo, Rome is More, Fusioni, Amor Runclub, and recently launched Dear Neighbour: an industry‑first global initiative that invites residents living in the vicinity of each hotel, via a postcard delivered directly to their mailbox, to step inside the hub and become part of The Social Hub community. The programme offers perks such as free coffees, but more importantly provides access to various events, opportunities to collaborate on volunteering activities, and much more.