---
title: "In action: the Leadership Exchange Programme"
date: 2023-11-29T19:00:42Z
modified: 2025-08-26T10:32:47Z
permalink: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/publication/in-action-the-leadership-exchange-programme/"
type: publication
status: publish
excerpt: Since 2018, the World Cities Culture Forum Leadership Exchange Programme has been supporting cities to share innovative solutions to complex cultural policy challenges. Through a series of eleven exchanges the programme has funded cities to visit each other and gain in depth knowledge about different approaches shared issues, such as supporting affordable creative workspace, reconciling with indigenous communities and protecting culture at risk.
wpid: 170774
categories:
  - Research
tags:
  - Research
  - Data
  - Innovation
  - Network
  - World Cities Culture Forum
  - Leadership
  - Leadership Exchange
  - Policymaking
region:
  - World Cities Culture Forum
topic:
  - Leadership
  - Leadership Exchange
  - Policymaking
featured_image: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LEP-Lagos-1.jpg"
featured_image_alt: City cultural practitioners share ideas in Lagos
timestamp: 2025-08-26T10:32:47Z
---

## Cities collaborate to share innovative solutions to global cultural policy challenges



![](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-21-at-13.18.54.png)

Since 2018, the World Cities Culture Forum Leadership Exchange Programme has been supporting cities to share innovative solutions to complex cultural policy challenges. Through a series of eleven exchanges the programme has funded cities to visit each other and gain in depth knowledge about different approaches to shared issues, such as supporting affordable creative workspace, reconciling with indigenous communities and protecting culture at risk.

> “We believe that by being generous with our ideas and learning from one another we can build fairer and more prosperous cities.”
> 
> Justine Simons OBE, Chair of World Cities Culture Forum

[The report](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ImpactReport_Published_LEP_WW_18.10.23-2.pdf) highlights the tangible impacts that the Leadership Exchange Programme has had on cultural policy and programmes in cities around the world, supporting creativity and cultural expression. You can read more about the Programme and each exchange [here](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/leadership-exchange.md).

![](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LEP-in-numbers-1024x385.png)

[Read the full report](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ImpactReport_Published_LEP_WW_18.10.23-2.pdf) to gain a deeper understanding of how cities are tackling eleven important cultural policy challenges including:

- Improving access to culture for citizens
- Growing affordable creative space
- Supporting artists through new funding models
- Supporting cultural organisations to be more sustainable

![City cultural practitioners share ideas in Lagos](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LEP-Lagos-1.jpg)

Images Courtesy @ World Cities Culture Forum