Happy City Index Researcher Application Form

The Happy City Index (www.happy-city-index.com) is a joint initiative developed by two independent organisations:

• the Institute for Quality of Life / Institut pour la Qualité de Vie, based in Paris (142, rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris, France), and
• the Happy City Hub, a think tank based in London (35/37 Ludgate Hill, EC4M 7JN, London, United Kingdom).

Both institutions collaborate closely in the design, coordination, and publication of the Happy City Index. For formal purposes, the participation agreement for volunteer researchers is concluded with Happy City Hub.

The project’s mission is to promote sustainable urban development with a focus on the happiness and well-being of both present and future generations. Detailed information about the Index is available on the official website: www.happy-city-index.com.

For the 2026 edition of the Happy City Index, we have analysed 3,500 cities worldwide. Using the transparent and standardised methodology described on our website (www.happy-city-index.com/Cities_2026), we selected just over 900 cities for in-depth analysis.

The data collection phase will begin on 1 December 2025 and will continue until the end of February 2026, focusing on the most recent and publicly available data about all cities included in the project.

Each Happy City Index Researcher will collect data for 82 indicators covering key aspects of city life, including:

1. education,
2. health,
3. environment,
4. mobility,
5. economy, and
6. governance.

As a Happy City Index Researcher, you will play a crucial part in collecting and verifying measurable data that reflects how cities function and evolve.

As a researcher, you’ll be contributing by:

• Collecting relevant data according to the official guidelines provided by Happy City Hub.
• Recording the sources of all collected data.
• Completing and submitting the official data collection form provided by Happy City Hub.

In recognition of your contribution, you will receive:

• A certificate confirming their contribution.
• The official title of “#2026 Happy City Index Researcher”.
• Depending on your decision, your name and contribution may be featured on the Happy City Index website, linked to your professional profile, or acknowledged in future project materials.

1. Collaboration and Spirit of Partnership
As a Happy City Index Researcher, you are joining a community built on trust, curiosity, and shared purpose. Your work will help cities worldwide learn from one another and improve the quality of life for their residents. We deeply value your contribution and count on your professionalism and integrity throughout the process.

2. Confidentiality
You may encounter internal materials or non-public data while taking part in this project. Please treat all such information as confidential and use it solely for the purposes of your research.

3. Voluntary Participation
Your participation is voluntary and does not create an employment relationship. This collaboration does not involve any financial compensation or reimbursement. What truly matters is your willingness to contribute your time and skills to a meaningful global cause.

4. Data Integrity and Accuracy
We place great importance on data quality. By signing this agreement, you declare that you will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all information you collect is accurate, verifiable, and measurable, based on credible and publicly available sources. You also agree not to submit any data that could be misleading or false. Our mission is to provide reliable evidence about contemporary urban development, with care for both present and future generations.

5. Use of Data and Acknowledgement
All data collected becomes part of the Happy City Index database and may be used for research, analysis, and publication. Depending on your decision, your name and contribution may be displayed on the Happy City Index website, linked to your professional profile, or mentioned in future project materials.

6. Respectful Conduct
We ask every participant to act with integrity, openness, and respect towards others. Discriminatory, unethical, or disrespectful behaviour has no place in this community and may result in ending the collaboration.

7. Termination
Either you or Happy City Hub may end this collaboration at any time by notifying the other party. No formal notice period is required. We simply ask that you inform us promptly and respectfully if you wish to step back from the project.

8. Data Privacy
By submitting this form, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes of project coordination, communication, and recognition, in compliance with applicable data protection laws (UK GDPR and EU GDPR).

1. Which country’s cities would you like to collect data on for the #2026 Happy City Index?

You may select multiple options (minimum 3, maximum 10). We encourage you to choose several countries, as data availability for some cities may be limited.

By signing below, I confirm my readiness and commitment to join the Happy City Index as a Researcher and contribute to the project’s mission.

I declare that I have read and understood the Terms of Collaboration and agree to follow them throughout my involvement in the project.