Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises does
Metropolis is the World Association of the Major Metropolises, a non-profit international association headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, that has served as the convening network for large cities and metropolitan governments since 1985. It connects more than 100 member cities and metropolitan areas across six geographic regions (Africa, North America, Latin America & Caribbean, Asia & Pacific, Eurasia & Middle East, and Europe), enabling peer learning on metropolitan governance, sustainability, social cohesion, gender equality, climate resilience, and strategic foresight. Membership is the primary relationship vehicle, supplemented by participation in triennial World Congresses (most recently Seoul 2025 for the 40th anniversary) and Annual Meetings.
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises
- Legal name
- World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis)
- Website
- https://metropolis.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Municipal/Metropolitan Association Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities) (BPAIANAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL)
Keywords
Where Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership contributions from cities and metropolitan areas worldwide. Fees vary by member category and city size.
- EU Project Funding: Major EU-funded projects including AVANTIA (€735,772), FOODCLIC (€153,137), COMANAGE (€120,760), MICAD, and MGET providing significant revenue for specific program delivery.
- Institutional Partnerships: Contributions from institutional partners including Guangzhou Government (€300,000), Seoul Metropolitan Government (€350,000), Barcelona entities, Brussels-Capital Region (€200,000), and Open Society Policy Center (€398,673).
- Event Hosting Fees: Revenue from hosting World Congresses and Annual Meetings, with member cities hosting events contributing financially.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | City/Metropolitan Government Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metropolis is a non-profit international association that connects 100+ major cities and metropolitan areas worldwide, providing membership services, policy exchange through Solutions Labs, EU-funded program delivery, advocacy at global forums, and digital knowledge platforms including Metro Futures, the USE Platform, and an Online Learning Hub for urban practitioners. It also delivers training programs (MITI and Diploma in Internationalization), administers urban innovation awards (Pattis Book Award, Guangzhou Award), and operates grant programs such as the International Fund for Metropolises: Local Care Systems.
Product overview
Metropolis offers a portfolio of interconnected platforms and programs for metropolitan governance and urban innovation. The core offerings include an Online Learning Hub for MOOC-based training, the Metro Futures data platform for city indicators, and the USE Platform for sustainability case studies. These are complemented by the Solutions Labs program for policy exchange, training programs (MITI and Internationalization Diploma), award programs (Pattis Award and Guangzhou Award), and the International Fund for Metropolises providing grants for care systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Metropolis International Training Institute (MITI): Training institute providing programs for local and metropolitan government officials worldwide
- Metropolis Diploma in Internationalization for Local Authorities
- Metro Futures
- USE Platform (Urban Sustainability Exchange)
- Metropolis Solutions Labs
- International Fund for Metropolises: Local Care Systems
Products and services
- Online Learning Hub
Quantifiable outcome
- 1000+ delegates from 150+ countries at Porto Alegre 2011 Congress
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)majorCo-organized 2025 Urban Financing Forum in Riyadh where 40 projects from European and Arab cities connected with 4 global financing organizations.
- Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV)majorCo-organized Brussels Urban Investment Forum where 35 projects connected with 5 global financing organizations.
- UNDPcorePartnership announced November 2025 to strengthen foresight capabilities for future-ready cities, combining Metropolis metropolitan expertise with UNDP global development reach.
- CGLU (United Cities and Local Governments)core€50,000 collaboration agreement under EU operating grant for joint activities within CGLU work plan 2023. Long-standing partnership since 2012.
- MICAD ConsortiumcoreEU-funded project helping cities adapt to climate and digital transformations through inclusive metropolitan planning. Develops toolkit tested in 5 cities.
- FOODCLIC ConsortiumcoreEU-funded project (€153,137) helping European cities create sustainable and inclusive urban food systems ensuring access to healthy affordable food.
- COMANAGE ConsortiumcoreEU-funded project providing local authorities tools for renewable energy community participation and long-term sustainability.
- AVANTIA Project Partnersmajor€735,772 project promoting sustainable and gender-sensitive urban mobility in Bogotá through international cooperation and local implementation.
- MGET (Metropolitan Governance of Energy Transition)majorProject improving energy efficiency and resilience in Dakar metropolitan region while developing regional cooperation with Metropolis network cities.
- Academic Institutions (IBEI, UAB, URL, UIC, UPF, UCL, UC Lille)minorPartnership with 7 universities for internship programs providing learning opportunities for students in social sciences, international relations, urban development, communications, and translation.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises social profiles
Digital presenceMetropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises
What does Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises do?
Metropolis is a non-profit international association that connects 100+ major cities and metropolitan areas worldwide, providing membership services, policy exchange through Solutions Labs, EU-funded program delivery, advocacy at global forums, and digital knowledge platforms including Metro Futures, the USE Platform, and an Online Learning Hub for urban practitioners. It also delivers training programs (MITI and Diploma in Internationalization), administers urban innovation awards (Pattis Book Award, Guangzhou Award), and operates grant programs such as the International Fund for Metropolises: Local Care Systems.
Is Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises a public or private company?
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises founded?
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises based?
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are EU Project Funding, institutional Partnerships and event Hosting Fees.
Does Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises.
What industry is Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises in?
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises's product category is International Municipal/Metropolitan Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAJ, Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities), with a secondary code of BPADALAL, Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 81341 and its SIC code is 9721.