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Chance for Winning 1 Million Dollars! Apply now for Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge

2024-11-29 10:00:30

About the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge


The Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge is a competition designed to support cities in the development of ambitious and innovative ideas that improve residents’ lives. The program encourages leaders to think outside the box about how to confront their most difficult challenges and strengthen public services through innovation.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge has provided 38 winning cities with funding and technical assistance to test and implement ambitious ideas, supporting the replication of the most successful winning ideas to 330+ cities globally, reaching over 100 million residents worldwide. 

The 2025 Global Mayors Challenge is currently underway. Drawing on over a decade of experience in fostering urban innovation, Bloomberg Philanthropies encourages mayors to collaborate with residents and entrepreneurs to reimagine core urban services. This initiative spans key areas such as public transportation, waste management, housing solutions, and emergency response, aiming to reshape municipal services for the future.

Timeline of the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge

The sixth competition will identify the boldest and strongest submissions from around the world. Cities worldwide with 100,000 residents or more can apply through December 20, 2024, at 23:59 ET (GMT-05:00). 

Fifty finalists, to be unveiled in March 2025, will receive $50,000 and participate in an Ideas Camp to hone, model, and test their concepts. 

In October 2025, the 25 cities with the most inventive ideas will each be awarded $1 million and operational assistance to bring their proposals to life.

Assessment Criteria

Proposals must focus on a “core city service,” which is defined as citywide, resident-facing, and that falls under the municipality’s authority. These include public transportation; public education; public safety; public libraries, parks, and recreation; healthcare; social services; internet connectivity; housing and shelter; clean water, air, and infrastructure; waste management and sanitation; economic and workforce development; and energy use. 

Bloomberg Philanthropies and its advisory council will select 25 winners based on three key criteria: novelty, potential for impact, and ability to deliver.

The 6th Mayors Challenge presents an unprecedented opportunity for cities worldwide to transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions. It is not only a platform to showcase urban creativity but also a crucial initiative for cities to collectively address pressing global challenges and build a sustainable future.



About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries and regions to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion.


Bloomberg Philanthropies partners with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, the Arab Urban Development Institute, and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, etc. The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation’s co-organizers, United Cities and Local Governments and Metropolis, are also partners of Bloomberg Philanthropies.



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