JOIN US
The 2021 Global Mayors Challenge
is now open for proposals

A global innovation competition toelevate leaders and their bold ideas

TRANSFORMING CITIESin the wake of COVID-19

Competition
Process

11 JANUARY 2021

Competition Launch
Cities with populations of 100,000 or
more are invited to join the Mayors Challenge.
The first 500 cities to RSVP will receive additional
expert support from Bloomberg Philanthropies toprepare their proposals.

JANUARY – MARCH 2021

Learn MoreCities are invited to participate in a series of virtual
convenings with global experts to learn more about
the competition and receive guidance on completinga winning application to the Mayors Challenge.

21 MARCH 2021

JUNE 2021

Submit Your Idea
50 Champion Cities Announced
The 50 cities with the 50 best ideas will advancein the competition.

JUNE – OCTOBER 2021

Strengthen Your Idea
50 Champion Cities will receive funding and expert
support to improve their ideas.

OCTOBER 2021

Resubmit Your Proposal
Champion Cities resubmit their improved applications
to compete for $15M in prize money.

LATE 2021

Grand Prize Winners Announced
15 Grand Prize Winners will receive $1M each in prize
money to bring their ideas to life.

JANUARY 2022 – DECEMBER 2023

Implementation Support
Grand Prize Winners receive expert support toimplement and spread their winning idea
to other cities.

Why Enter?
We know the COVID-19 pandemic forced cities to confront
life-or-death challenges throughout 2020. And we saw city leaders
respond in extraordinary ways – generating one bold policy
response after the next to keep residents safe,
re-imagine city services, and re-design civic infrastructure.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is launching the 2021 Global Mayors
Challenge to elevate the most transformative ideas that, whileborn of crisis, have great potential to move our cities – andhumanity – forward. The Mayors Challenge aims to help the mosttransformative ideas generate even greater impact and thenspread to other cities.
By entering the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge, your city will haveaccess to world class expertise and support to strengthen yourideas, as well as robust peer-to-peer exchanges around the mostdynamic urban innovations emerging in cities.
If your city emerges as one of the 50 Champion Cities or15 Grand Prize winners, you’ll receive global press attention,comprehensive implementation support, and dedicated funding
to advance your idea.

The 2021 Global Mayors Challenge seeks to uncover
the 50 most innovative solutions to transform cities
in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAQ

How many applications can each city submit?
Each city can submit only one application, representing a single breakthrough idea.

What makes a great idea?
The Mayors Challenge is looking for the 50 leading urban innovations that wereimagined or launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These ideas can bein any stage of implementation, but must have the potential for meaningful impact
and the ability to spread to other cities.

Does my idea have t o solve a specific problem or issue?
We know that cities around the world are united by similar challenges. That is why
the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge is calling for city solutions that address
one or more of four critical themes challenging cities in this moment: health andwellbeing, climate and environment, economic recovery and inclusive growth,and good governance and equality.

Do I have to RSVP to participate?
Yes. All eligible cities must RSVP at mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org.
Shortly after you reserve your city’s spot, you will receive additional
information about the application process.
Importantly, the first 500 cities to RSVP will receive extra support to create ahigh quality application. RSVP today!

Does my city have to submit the application online?
Yes, all cities are required to submit their idea through an online application.
Eligible cities are required to RSVP to access the application.

“What happens in cities can change
the world — and that’s truer today thanit has ever been.”— Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

To participate, all cities must submit an application by

21 MARCH 2021
Questions about participation? Send us an e-mail:mayorschallenge@bloomberg.org
Visit:
www.mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org