The 2025 Challenge - Global Mayors Challenge
The 2025 Global Mayors Challenge
Helping cities reimagine a core resident-facing service
Applications must focus on a "core city service," which we define as citywide, resident-facing, and that falls under municipal authority.
Bloomberg Philanthropies and its advisory council will select 25 winners based on three key criteria:
- Novelty
- Potential for impact
- Ability to deliver
In most cities, core city services include many of the following:
Public transportation
Public education
Public safety
Public libraries, parks, & recreation
Healthcare
Social services
Internet connectivity
Housing and shelter
Clean water, air, & infrastructure
Waste management and sanitation
Energy use
Economic and workforce development
The 2025 Competition Overview
Application Phase
Oct - Dec 2024
Cities apply to the Global Mayors Challenge by submitting a well thought through and novel idea for significantly improving a “core city service."
From Good to Great
Mar - Oct 2025
50 cities are selected as finalists and participate in design, prototyping, and implementation coaching. They receive $50,000 to strengthen their idea.
Winning Cities Phase
Oct 2025 - Dec 2027
25 cities are selected from the finalist pool as winners and receive $1 million in funding, dedicated project staff, and robust implementation support to launch their idea.
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March 2025 |
50 finalists announced The 50 cities with the best ideas will advance in the competition. |
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March - July 2025 |
Take your idea from good to great 50 finalists will receive piloting funds and expert coaching to improve their ideas, starting with an in-person gathering — the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ prestigious Ideas Camp — to launch the work.
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July 2025 |
Resubmit your proposal Finalists resubmit their improved ideas. |
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October 2025 |
Winners announced 25 winning cities will receive $1M each in prize money, dedicated project staff, and dedicated coaching support. |
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January 2026 - December 2027 |
Bring your idea to life Winning cities receive expert support to implement their ideas at scale. |
Selection
My city has submitted an application. When will we hear back?
Thank you for sharing your application for the 2025 Mayors Challenge! The list of 50 Finalists participating in the ‘Good to Great’ phase will be announced in March, and selected cities will be individually notified. Stay tuned!
How is my application being evaluated?
When reviewing applications, we consider several criteria: mayoral commitment; problem understanding and impact; and idea potential. Learn more about the application criteria here.
Programming
What does participation entail?
Finalists will be invited into an exciting journey to prototype their idea, learn from peers and international experts, and submit their final application.
How will the programming be delivered? Will sessions be in-person or remote?
During the Finalists phase, programming will be a mix of in-person and virtual. More details to follow.