Be part of an exceptional journey to design the best city to live in the world.

A journey dedicated to ambitious leaders, empowering them with future-focused government design skills and the fundamentals of creative leadership—rooted in design thinking methodologies, that center on meeting community needs and aspirations to develop innovative solutions.

DESIGN FOR
STRATEGIC IMPACT

We offer participants a transformative experience, with specialized workshops hosted by global experts, inspiring field trips, and the ability to lead strategic projects.

MASTER THESE CORE CAPABILITIES:

Promote Design-Driven Leadership

Adopt a design-led approach based on understanding and meeting the needs of the community, accountability, taking the lead to overcome challenges and fostering effective leaders to drive change.

Lead Human Centered Solutions

Adopt innovative models and solutions, anticipate individual needs, identify trends, and serve with empathy. Achieve this by prioritizing the community, fostering dialogue between decision makers and the community.

Encourage Collaborative Design

Encourage partnerships and communication within government to unite leadership and public entities, aiming for the achievement of common goals and the exchange of ideas.

One of the most impactful moments during the program was the co-creation experience. It challenged my assumptions and showed me the true value of deeply understanding people’s needs and perspectives. By approaching the process with an open mind and letting go of preconceived ideas, I was able to see challenges in a completely new way. This journey not only expanded my thinking, but also strengthened my confidence in my ability to create meaningful change.”

REEM ALBLOOSHI

One of the most valuable concepts I learned was the importance of focusing on the problem before rushing into solutions. The program introduced a more exploratory way of thinking — where we take the time to understand the challenge from multiple angles before defining what needs to be solved. This approach taught me that innovation is not a linear process. It requires continuous iteration, testing, and going back and forth between ideas and insights.”

ABDULLAH ALSHAMSI

This program strengthened my leadership capabilities and expanded my perspective. It equipped me with essential mindsets such as responsibility, collaboration, empathy, and creative confidence. Most importantly, it reshaped the way I approach any initiative — ensuring that people are always at the center of every idea, decision, and future I aim to design.”

SAMEERA AL RAEESI
“We need to see them amongst students and teachers; in the markets among traders and investors. We want to hear they are among farmers and at the ports of fishermen, with widows and mothers, senior citizens and with patients, in hospitals and among doctors and staff. We want to see them there and hear them from there, not in conference rooms or forums that have increased and consumed resources and energies. We are a government of achievements, not a government of lectures. We are a team of accomplishers not a team of preachers.”
MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM

The Lead & Design Program is equally about personal transformation and leadership development as it is about design mindsets and skillsets.

Mindsets

The key mindsets introduced in this program:

Skillsets

Grow and exercise design-led skillsets:
HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
SYSTEMS-THINKING
LISTENING
IDEATION
SELF-AWARENESS
FACILITATION
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
PROTOTYPING
SENSE-MAKING
STORYTELLING

TIME COMMITMENT

8 Weeks
PROGRAM DURATION
22 Days
IN-PERSON
8 Days
TRAVEL ABROAD

PROGRAM JOURNEY

AUGUST 26

Kick Off

1/2 Day — In Person

Dubai

Connecting you to the program’s facilitators, coaches, and fellow participants in an inspiring kick off, establishing expectations about the program ahead.

SEPTEMBER 5 — 13

Design Driven

Leadership Immersion

8 Days — In Person

Design-Led City in Europe Copenhagen

In this intensive leadership immersion we will ignite your passion and empower you to become design-driven leaders who can make a positive impact on communities through human-centered approaches and mindsets.

SEPTEMBER 21 — OCTOBER 9

Human-Centered Design Sprint

3 Weeks — In Person

Dubai

Participants will apply their human-centered design skills through an intensive design workshop, enabling them to advance their missions and develop a collective action plan grounded in real-world field experiences.

OCTOBER 12 — 15

Support Sessions

1 Week — In Person

Dubai

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with experts and trainers to receive individual or group support, discuss challenges, and gain guidance that enhances their skills and helps them progress toward achieving their goals in the program.

OCTOBER 19 — 21

Closure & Integration

3 Days — In Person

Dubai

The final 3 days of the program will center around concluding the program with your presentations and celebrating the journey together.

Recruitment Process

Written Application.


Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Submission deadline:
Friday, 22 May 2026
Apply Now

Those who pass Round 1 of recruitment will be invited to a 30-min virtual interview.

A shortlist of individuals who pass Round 2 will then be invited to join a Group Assessment.

Written Application

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Submission deadline: Friday, 22 May 2026
Apply now

Those who pass Round 1 of recruitment will be invited for a 30-min virtual interview.

A shortlist of individuals who pass Round 2 will then be invited to join a Group Assessment.

PROGRAM COST:

71,000 AED*

*Includes accommodation in Copenhagen. Excludes travel cost.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

U.A.E. National
Working for a Government, or Government-owned entity. Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading teams.
Fluent verbal and
written English skills

ENROLLMENT

ENROLL BY FRIDAY, MAY 22 11:59PM
ENROLL NOW

OPEN HOUSE

Join us at Dubai Design Lab to meet the Design Gov team and alumni for an interactive session on the Lead & Design Program.

Open to prospective applicants and sponsoring organization leaders.
WED 13 MAY 2026
11:00AM-1:00PM
DUBAI DESIGN LAB
EMIRATES TOWERS
RSVP NOW