(Materials in Spanish, French and Portuguese attached)
Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Launch of the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge
City Innovation Competition Returns for the Fifth Time with New Global Focus on Uncovering the Most Transformative Ideas Borne from the COVID-19 Pandemic
New York, NY – Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced the launch of the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge, an innovation competition that will identify and accelerate the most ambitious ideas developed by cities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition will select 50 finalists that represent the world’s leading urban innovations to emerge from the pandemic. Fifteen grand prize winners will receive $1 million each and robust multi-year support to implement and spread their breakthrough ideas.
The 2021 Global Mayors Challenge is bigger than ever before and will offer an enhanced program of support designed to meet the needs and ambitions of cities today. For the first time, the Challenge will be a global competition, a reflection of the urgency felt by cities around the world to develop new approaches amid the pandemic. The Challenge will select more finalists and grand prize winners than in previous competitions. Cities with populations of 100,000 or more are welcome to submit their boldest ideas at any stage of development. Applications close on March 21, 2021. Cities can apply here: mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org
The four themes for this year’s competition will address the most significant challenges to emerge during the pandemic:
- Economic recovery & inclusive growth
- Health & wellbeing
- Climate & environment
- Good governance & equality
Cities selected as finalists in the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge will have access to an expansive program of support. Finalists will receive coaching from world renowned experts in innovation, data, and project-specific subject matter to strengthen their submissions. Bespoke technical assistance and training will also help finalists test and refine their ideas. Finally, cities will join an unparalleled network of peers also pursuing bold, new ideas.
In total, 1,072 cities have applied to the previous four Mayors Challenges, 24 ideas have been selected as winners, and 22 of those ideas are being implemented in cities around the world. An additional 189 cities that did not win are continuing to develop their ideas.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 810 cities and 170 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: 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 pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.6 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok.
Watch the introduction video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3x5wrzp5e8&feature=youtu.be
More information at https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/mayors-challenge
