The innovation 'factory' helping a small city punch above its weight
When Claudio Castro was elected mayor of Renca, Chile, he knew his team would need additional resources to take on the small city's biggest challenges. So he decided to start something new called La Fábrica, or the Factory. At its core, it's an external team dedicated to securing and deploying private capital in service of mayoral priorities. But it's not just the money; La Fábrica has emerged as a gateway to universities, philanthropies, and other partners who can help permanently change how the city solves problems.
Here are some of the key lessons coming out of this work about creating a new vehicle to quickly mobilize resources, connecting city agencies with new opportunities, and providing a physical space where residents can seek new skills and services.
3 ways San Diego's mayor is unlocking creativity amid budget cuts
When he delivered his State of the City address in January, Mayor Todd Gloria was candid that San Diego had a problem: the local budget deficit had surged to $258 million. His city is far from alone; many municipalities around the world are facing acute financial strain. But rather than settle for a less effective government, Mayor Gloria highlighted his intent to use this moment as an opportunity to rethink how the city works. It's an approach that aims to be deliberate about not just finding efficiencies, but also improving how services are delivered.
