Membership
Join a Global Community Committed to Better Government
GSDC membership brings together institutions and individuals who believe effective global engagement can strengthen public institutions and improve community outcomes.
Membership is selective, substantive, and mission-driven.
Governments
Government Membership
Government membership is open to cities, states, provinces, regions, and equivalent subnational governments.
Membership belongs to the institution rather than an individual officeholder, helping preserve relationships, knowledge, and engagement across political transitions.
Government members participate in:
- peer learning and structured exchanges
- research and educational briefings
- leadership and practitioner forums
- GSDC research and case studies
- capacity-building opportunities
- relevant expert and institutional engagements
- GSDC convenings and programs
GSDC intentionally brings together internationally established governments and jurisdictions working to strengthen their global engagement.
Individuals
Individual Membership
GSDC individual membership brings together people whose experience, expertise, and ideas strengthen the Council and the field.
Membership is selective and available by application or invitation.
Emerging Members
For select early-career professionals and emerging leaders demonstrating significant promise in international affairs, governance, public policy, research, public service, or related fields.
Individual Members
For established professionals including former public officials, academics, researchers, nonprofit leaders, journalists, international-affairs professionals, and others contributing to the field.
Executive & Private-Sector Members
For senior executives, consultants, attorneys, investors, and other private-sector professionals participating in their individual capacity and aligned with GSDC's public-purpose mission.
Sustaining Members
For qualified members who choose to provide additional support to GSDC's research, education, capacity-building, and public-benefit work.
GSDC considers professional standing, achievement or demonstrated promise, mission alignment, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the Council.
Companies
Corporate Membership: Engage With the Future of Subnational Leadership
GSDC Corporate Membership brings companies into a global community focused on the issues shaping cities, states, regions, and the people they serve.
Corporate members contribute expertise and perspective while gaining greater insight into the trends, priorities, and challenges affecting subnational governments across regions.
Corporate membership provides opportunities to:
- participate in selected GSDC briefings and convenings
- engage with research and emerging trends
- contribute expertise to mission-aligned discussions
- connect with a cross-sector community of public, private, academic, and institutional leaders
- participate in relevant educational and thought-leadership programming
- support stronger public institutions and more effective global cooperation
GSDC maintains clear standards of independence.
Corporate membership does not provide preferential access to public officials, procurement opportunities, endorsements, or control over GSDC's research or program priorities.