The 2025 Challenge - Mayors Challenge

A banner for the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge depicting three images of teachers educating their students. It reads, "Core city services, reimagined."

The 2025 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: 

  1. Novelty

  2. Potential for impact

  3. Ability to deliver 


An image of four firefighters wearing bright red uniforms and yellow helmets.

In most cities, core city services include many of the following:

  • Clean water, air, & infrastructure
  • Economic & workforce development
  • Energy use
  • Healthcare
  • Housing & shelter
  • Internet connectivity
  • Public education
  • Public libraries, parks, & recreation
  • Public safety
  • Public transportation
  • Social services
  • Waste management & sanitation

The 2025 Competition Overview

A decorative timeline of the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge.

Application Phase

Cities apply to the Mayors Challenge by submitting a well thought through and novel idea for significantly improving a “core city service."

Finalist phase

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

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.