International Executive Master
Since 1998 first intake
LEAD
Master in Leadership, Strategic Management & Talent Development for the Third Sector
2nd edition | Starting December 2026
Building the civil society leaders for the future.
Designed and managed in collaboration with:
Director of the Master: Marco Crescenzi
Founder and Coordinator of Leaders4Future – The Network of Third Sector Leaders, Member of the National Council of WWF , Founder and President of Social Change School, Promoter of the LeadingTogether – Women Leadership Programme 2025–2030, Founder of Space T – Talent Intelligence & Acquisition Lab
+2000 students trained worlwide90% employment within 1 year
Start
December 2026
Duration
9 months
Enrolments
to December 2026
Language
English
Blended
Formula
Discounts
Available
Quick overview and Eligibility for the Master
- From December 2026 to September 2027. Begins in December 2026
- Language English
- 1st Meeting January 2027 (3 days in Presence)
- 400 hours of eLearning + 9 full immersion weekend workshops (6 of them are mandatory) in Rome, Milan, Madrid
- All Inclusive Formula
Who is eligible for the Master?
- Professionals and consultants in the Third Sector
- Board members, executives, and foundation representatives
- Professional coming for the profit sector- for a life change
About the Master
This Master’s program is designed to shape a new class of middle managers and leaders in the European nonprofit sector—modern, competent, and ready to face today’s challenges.
Born from the commitment of sector professionals—members of the LEADER4FUTURE network—this program offers direct learning from those who are making an impact every day, through real-life cases and immersive teaching.
Since introducing the concept of nonprofit management in Italy back in 1997, through the first Master’s programs and the book “Il Manager del Non Profit”, we’ve helped shape a generation of change-makers. Today, the need for highly skilled professionals is stronger than ever.
Backed by the experience of Social Change School, a solid network of partners, and a strong focus on practical content and career support, this Master is the ideal path for a career boost or a meaningful shift from the for-profit world.
Because we believe—and have always believed—that only well-managed organizations can generate lasting, structured, and meaningful social impact.
Since 1997, training those managers has been our mission
Master’s Key Features
- A program co-designed with leading sector managers
- Project work and practical exercises to immediately apply what you’ve learned and tackle real-world cases
- Faculty of top nonprofit leaders and managers
- Case studies and testimonials from key players in the Italian and Spanish nonprofit sectors
- Blended learning: 7 full-immersion in-person sessions, hands-on activities, and networking lunches with faculty
- Executive Master with International Certification
- Personalized career coaching support, culminating in a Professional Development Plan
- Aptitude tests on strengths and stress management
Join the Social Change Community, the world’s largest network of nonprofit professionals with over 2,000 alumni and growing.
ATTEND CLASSES ON-SITE OR REMOTELY
In-person workshops
The Master’s program is designed to be compatible with professional commitments.
You can attend weekend sessions in-person at our Rome (Via degli Etruschi 7), or via live streaming if you’re unable to travel.
All sessions will also be recorded for later viewing.
E-learning, since 1998
Social Change School pioneered e-learning in the nonprofit sector back in 1998, enabling the training of a new generation of leaders.
Thanks to our e-learning platform, you’ll have access to a wide range of materials, online exercises, and exams for each subject area.
Didactic Areas
Every AREA include: Workshop, Webcast, Webinar, Podcast, Case Studies, Practical Exercise, Area Exams (60 items multiple choice to be delivered on line).
To get the Final Certification you’ll have to:
- Attend all the 4 mandatory areas
- Chose at least 2 out of 5 not mandatory areas
- Have passed the Areas’ Exams
- Have delivered your Project Work
AREA 1
REINVENTARE IL TERZO SETTORE E LE ONG 2025-2030. TENDENZE, SFIDE E SOSTENIBILITÀ.
- Storia e sviluppo del Terzo Settore in Europa
- Introduzione alla normativa del Terzo Settore
- Tendenze, prospettive e strategie del Terzo Settore. Approfondimenti strategici dai Direttori Generali delle ONG
- Innovazione sociale, Social Business, Impatto Sociale.
AREA 2
PIANIFICAZIONE STRATEGICA, TEORIA del CAMBIAMENTO, INDICATORI CHIAVE di PRESTAZIONE, CATENA dei RISULTATI e MEAL
- Come costruire visione, missione e obiettivi strategici di un’organizzazione del Terzo Settore
- Analisi SWOT e stakeholder
- Teoria del cambiamento, pianificazione strategica, deploy della strategia
- Costruzione della result chain, la “catena dei risultati”
- Costruzione del mission balance
AREA 3
GESTIONE ECONOMICA E FINANZIARIA di CONTROLLO — HARD SKILLS.
- Previsione e budgeting
- Rendicontazione finanziaria e monitoraggio dei costi
- Auditing, rendicontazione e trasparenza
- Approvvigionamenti e rischi finanziari
AREA 4
SVILUPPO della GESTIONE e della LEADERSHIP.
- Stili di leadership e gestione
- Leadership femminile nel terzo settore — Testimonianza dalle top manager del terzo settore. Presentazione di Leading Together 2020–2025 – Women Leadership Programme di Social Change School
- Abilità organizzative e strumenti, gestione del team
- Gestione socio-emotiva del team
- Gestione dello stress
- Public speaking & persuasione
- HRM & talent management
AREA 5
COMUNICAZIONE, CAMPAGNE, LOBBYING & ADVOCACY
- Strategie di coinvolgimento degli stakeholder
- Comunicazione istituzionale e politica
- Progettazione e implementazione di campagne
- Economia comportamentale
- Costruzione comunitaria & leadership dal basso
- Lobbying e advocacy nella pratica
AREA 6
COMUNICAZIONE, CAMPAGNE, LOBBYING & ADVOCACY.
Coinvolgimento stakeholder, lavoro con decisori aziendali e istituzionali. Casi studio e testimonianze dei protagonisti. Come avere un (vero) impatto?
AREA 7
PROGETTAZIONE E GESTIONE DI PROGETTI CON IL SUPPORTO DELL’INTELLIGENZA ARTIFICIALE
- Strumenti di AI per progettazione e scrittura
- AI per analisi dati e monitoraggio
- Etica e limiti dell’AI nel settore nonprofit
- Trasformazione digitale e tech for good
- Applicazioni reali e sessione demo
AREA 8
INNOVAZIONE SOCIALE, IMPRENDITORIALITÀ SOCIALE e SOCIAL BUSINESS
- Metodologie di innovazione sociale
- Modelli di imprenditorialità sociale
- Social business e sostenibilità finanziaria
- Spin-off, start-up e costruzione organizzativa
AREA 9
ESAME FINALE “BE THE CHANGE!” – CERIMONIA DI CONSEGNA CERTIFICATO
- Valutazione del Project Work
- Presentazione pitch
- Commissione di valutazione
- Celebrazione finale e brindisi di Master
CAREER COACHING: 3 ore di Career Coaching e Piano di Sviluppo personale per ciascun partecipante, con gestione attitudinale e dello stress.
Quali sono i miei punti di forza e debolezza? Quale sarà la mia strategia di carriera?
About the Lecturers and the Staff
Marco Crescenzi
Director of the Master
Founder and Coordinator of Leaders4Future – The Network of Third Sector Leaders – Member of the National Council of WWF – Founder and President of Social Change School – Promoter of the LeadingTogether, Women Leadership Programme 2025–2030 – Founder of Space T, Talent Intelligence & Acquisition Lab.
Visit Marco Crescenzi’s LinkedIn Profile and read more about him here.
Faculty Members
Marco Crescenzi (Coordinatore Leader4Future e WWF Board Member), Alessandra Prampolini (DG WWF), Cristina Cornelli, (DG Soleterre), Daniela Fatarella (DG Save the Children), Francesca Ottolenghi (Legacoop), Francesca Pieraccini (DG Cospe), Francesco Farnesi, (Dir. Engim), Giorgio Zampetti (DG Legambiente), Guglielmo Micucci (DG Amref), Ileanea Bello (DG Amnesty International), Martina Pignatti Morano (DG Un Ponte Per), Paolo Ferrara (DG Terre des Hommes), Paolo Pastore (DG FAIRTRADE), Roberto Barbieri (DG Oxfam Italia), Francesco Petrelli (Head of International Relations, Oxfam Italia), Paolo Rozera (Executive Director, Comitato Italiano per l’UNICEF), Rossella Miccio (President, Emergency), Simone Garroni (DG Azione Contro la Fame), Stefano di Carlo (DG Medici Senza Frontiere), Stefano Piziali (DG CESVI).
Strategic Advisor: Diego Battistessa
Career Development Service Coordinator: Bruno Clerici
The Master’s program was developed with the active support and involvement of Leaders4Future, the network of General Directors of Italy’s nonprofit sector.
They will contribute lectures, real-life case studies, and personal insights, together with some of the sector’s most experienced managers.
Alice Novello
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Mara Colautti
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Field Training Period (FTP)?
The FTP is recommended for gaining field experience with NGOs and enhancing student’s CV. It is usually unpaid, but the school may cover some expenses up to EUR 1,500 (exclusively for travel, accommodation, and insurance). Preferably, the FTP should take place abroad in a low-resource country, but it can also be carried out in the student’s home country if relevant to the master’s program.
What is the mission of the Career Development Service (CDS)?
The CDS aims to facilitate and support students in developing their careers in the social change sector by providing connections and endorsements with third-sector organizations. Additionally, it offers tools to enhance personal branding, develop career strategies, and navigate the job market collaboratively.
Are early bird rates or other discounts available?
Yes, there are early bird rates available for those who enroll before June 2025, as well as the option to pay the tuition fee in up to 12 interest-free installments.
All the information is available in the Master’s brochure.
