Apply now for the Citizens Planning Academy

We're delighted to announce the 2023 Citizens Planning Academy. Click here to apply by Sunday, August 20. 

If you live in Greenville City or County and you're motivated to better understand local land planning processes, Upstate Forever's Citizens Planning Academy is a good place to start. Our Academy is a unique program in the Upstate that provides a great foundational education and demystifies the planning process. Graduates leave our program empowered to speak up for their communities.

Participation is by invitation only. Selected participants will receive an invitation in late August/early September following review of all applications submitted online by August 20. Enrollment is free but requires a firm commitment to attend all six sessions.

2023 SERIES

Participants will learn about a variety of planning and development topics from guest speakers and interactive exercise facilitators. Session topics include the history of community planning, smart growth principles, equity in planning, and more. The Fall 2023 series will consist of six 2.5-hour sessions. Each session will be held at a central location in downtown Greenville with free parking from 5:30 - 8:00 pm on the following Wednesdays:  

• September 20
• Sept. 27
• October 4
• Oct. 11
• Oct. 18
• Oct. 25

Application Details 

City of Greenville and/or Greenville County residents who are motivated to become engaged in local land use planning and policy decision-making are encouraged to apply. We want to ensure the Citizens Planning Academy equips a diverse group of Greenvillians with local planning and land use policy knowledge, particularly minorities and those whose communities are experiencing rapid change as Greenville grows. 

Participation in this course is free but requires a firm commitment to attend all six sessions. Enrollment is by invitation based on selection committee review and evaluation of applications submitted online. The deadline to apply is Sunday, August 20 at 11:59 pm.  

Click here to apply now