In today's urban-centric world, cities are the cornerstone of global well-being. Municipal governments manage an extraordinary scope of services: millions of affordable housing units, hundreds of thousands of public libraries, billions of tons of waste management, widespread vaccine distribution, and essential services like public safety, internet connectivity, and civic amenities that serve billions daily.
While consistently delivering these fundamental services remains crucial, many mayors seek to do more than maintain the status quo. They envision transformative changes that could dramatically improve residents' lives, recognizing that their communities deserve revolutionary rather than evolutionary progress.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025 Global Mayors Challenge presents an opportunity for this transformation. Cities worldwide with populations exceeding 100,000 are invited to fundamentally reimagine their most essential public services. This challenge focuses on the everyday services that form the backbone of urban life-areas that hold immense potential for innovation and meaningful impact on residents' daily experiences.
Twenty-five innovative ideas will be selected from visionary city leaders who dare to redefine what's possible in public service delivery. These winning initiatives will:
- Set new standards for both citizens and public servants
- Pioneer the future of municipal services
- Demonstrate how local governments can build trust, enhance quality of life, and drive global progress from the ground up
Winners will receive comprehensive support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, including:
- $1 million in funding
- Dedicated project staff
- Multi-year implementation assistance
This initiative represents a unique opportunity to revolutionize how cities serve their communities and shape the future of urban life.
For more information visit the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge webpage.