Volunteer With Us! – The Nature of Cities Festival 2026

Want to meet inspiring people, learn from leading practitioners, and experience the Festival from the inside?

We would love to have you on the team.

The Nature of Cities Festival is not a conference you simply attend. It is a living, evolving gathering shaped by hundreds of hands and minds.

Our volunteers are at the heart of this experience: they create the feeling of welcome, help the festival flow, and ensure that every participant—from artists and scientists to city-makers and community activists—can find their way through this vibrant ecosystem.

at the heart of the Festival

WHAT VOLUNTEERS DO

We are looking for volunteers who enjoy being around people, bringing calm and clarity to lively environments, and helping this unusual, multi-sited festival run smoothly. Typical roles include:

registration & welcome desk

Greeting participants, handing out badges, and orienting people as they arrive.

on-site help & orientation

Supporting attendees in finding their sessions, guiding them to rooms and venues, and helping them navigate the daily programme.

session support

Assisting moderators, keeping track of attendance, managing microphones, timekeeping, and ensuring sessions start and end smoothly.

field trip support

Helping with logistics for on-site excursions, coordinating meeting points, supporting facilitators, and ensuring everyone gets where they need to be.

wayfinding & information points

Being a friendly touchpoint throughout the venue – answering questions, giving directions, and helping visitors feel held and guided.

tech & room support

Assisting with simple tasks like setting up rooms, checking materials, liaising with the technical team when needed.

accessibility support

Supporting participants who may need additional assistance navigating the spaces or programme.

the perks of helping out

WHAT VOLUNTEERS GET?

We are looking for volunteers who enjoy being around people, bringing calm and clarity to lively environments, and helping this unusual, multi-sited festival run smoothly. Typical roles include:

a free festival pass

giving you full access to all panels, workshops, journeys, labs, and artistic sessions when you’re not on shift.

professional connections

work alongside city leaders, researchers, artists, NGOs, and practitioners from around the world.

professional experience

learn about international event facilitation, co-creative formats, and community-oriented festival work.

behind-the-scenes access

for an understanding of how a hybrid, multi-species, multi-day festival comes together.

a certificate of participation

useful for CVs or academic credit where applicable.

are you in?

APPLICATION OPENS SOON

In the meantime, you can sign up to be notified of festival updates.

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