Mayors Challenge
Inspiring bold, replicable innovations developed by cities
Cities are uniquely positioned to foster creative solutions to our most pressing social and economic issues and to meet the challenges of tomorrow in areas from education to public safety. But the process requires enormous creativity, the formation of energetic partnerships, and the judicious use of data. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge is a competition designed to spark innovative, replicable ideas for improving cities, and the lives of people living in them, by encouraging leaders to think outside the box about how to confront their most difficult challenges.
After successful runs in the United States (2013 and 2018), Europe (2014), and Latin America and the Caribbean (2016), Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the first Global Mayors Challenge in 2021, with a focus on identifying and accelerating the most ambitious ideas developed by cities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A selection committee co-chaired by Bloomberg Philanthropies board member Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO & President, Ariel Investments, and David Miliband, President & CEO, International Rescue Committee will choose 50 finalists before selecting 15 grand prize winners. Each grand prize winner will receive $1 million each and comprehensive multi-year support to implement their innovative ideas.
For Local Government Innovators
Visit the Bloomberg Cities Network, created in partnership with Johns Hopkins for city leaders and innovators full of resources, learning opportunities, and connections to peers around the world. Join the network to receive exclusive resources, including access to world-class training and events, peer networking opportunities, powerful city solutions, and more.
Top photo: South Bend, Indiana’s Mayors Challenge project Commuters Trust is a public-private partnership between the City and select employers to provide subsidized commuting options to employees through a Ride Guarantee program.