Resources for Cities - Global Mayors Challenge
The Application Toolkit
The toolkit is a step-by-step guide to preparing a competitive application for the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge. This toolkit walks through identifying a problem and developing a bold idea for the Challenge and is meant to serve as an ongoing resource during the competition.
Each module comes with application guidance, worksheets, and suggestions for best practices as you shape your idea. Download a copy below in your language of choice to dive in!
Download English application toolkit here.
قم بتنزيل مجموعة أدوات التطبيق باللغة العربية هنا
Téléchargez la trousse d’application en français ici.
Descargue el kit de herramientas de la aplicación en español aquí.
Baixe o kit de ferramentas do aplicativo em português aqui.
Join us for live learning opportunities!
Workshops
These workshops are designed to take your city through three essential steps of the Mayors Challenge application: 1) Getting clear on your problem, 2) collecting evidence and data, and 3) developing your bold, innovative idea. Each workshop will be offered three different times to accommodate time zones around the world.
Workshop #1: Frame a Clear Problem
Date 1: - (English, Arabic, French, Spanish)
Date 2: - (English, Portuguese, Spanish)
Date 3: - (English)
Join us as we discuss how to articulate a clear problem statement. Sign up using the links above.
Workshop #2: Gather Evidence
Workshop #3: Brainstorm Bold New Ideas
Date 1: - (English, Arabic, French, Spanish)
Date 2: - (English, Portuguese, Spanish)
Date 3: - (English)
Join us as we discuss how to seek inspiration from other contexts, practice running a brainstorming session, and leverage particular tools for creating bold and ambitious ideas. Sign up using the links above.
Biweekly Office Hours
Does your city have questions about the eligibility and application requirements, the design process, and/or the Mayors Challenge in general? Our team stands ready to answer those questions via email at [email protected]. We will also answer questions live during office hours.
Biweekly Office Hours #1
Date 1: - (English, Arabic, French, Spanish)
Date 2: - (English, Portuguese, Spanish)
Date 3: - (English)
Bi-weekly Office Hours #2
Date 1: - (English, Arabic, French, Spanish)
Date 2: - (English, Portuguese, Spanish)
Date 3: - (English)
Biweekly Office Hours #3
Date 1: - (English, Arabic, French, Spanish)
Date 2: - (English, Portuguese, Spanish)
Date 3: - (English)
Biweekly Office Hours #4
Date 1: - (English, Arabic, French, Spanish)
Date 2: - (English, Portuguese, Spanish)
Date 3: - (English)
Eligibility
Who can apply to the 2025 Global Mayors Challenge?
Any city with a population greater than 100,000 is welcome to apply. Applications are free.
How many applications can each city submit?
Each Mayor can submit one application, representing a single idea.
What if my city does not have a Mayor?
Please apply with your Mayor or the city’s chief executive.
My city applied to or won a previous Mayors Challenge. Can we apply again?
Yes! You can apply again. We encourage you to tailor your application to this year’s theme –reimagining a core city service–and use the accompanying Toolkit to develop your application.
Application information and deadlines
How do I apply? What is the application process like?
Please click here to start your application. To access the application, you will be asked a few basic questions about your city.
When do I need to apply by? Can my city get an extension?
Applications are due by December 20, 2024 at 11:59PM EST. We will not be able to offer extensions.
What does participation entail?
While the application itself is brief, the strongest applications reflect significant effort to cast a vision for your city, frame and research your selected problem, explore how it is experienced by residents, and develop innovative ideas. Finalists will then be invited into an exciting journey to prototype their idea, learn from peers and international experts, and submit their final application.
Does the Mayor need to be in the application video? Does it need to be professionally shot and edited?
Yes, the Mayor or the city's chief executive need to be in the application video. The video does not need to be professionally shot or edited—in fact, a video taken on a smartphone is preferred. We are more interested in seeing your city’s energy and enthusiasm for innovating a core service, than we are in the production value.
My primary language is not English. Can I submit my application in my preferred language?
Absolutely! We encourage you to submit your application in your city’s preferred language. In addition, we have translated all Mayors Challenge materials, and will offer all live programming, in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
How are applications evaluated?
When reviewing applications, we consider several criteria: mayoral commitment; problem understanding and impact; and idea potential. Learn more about the application criteria here.
Is a focus on core service delivery required?
Yes, a focus on core service delivery is required. We define a core city service as a citywide, resident-facing service that falls under the municipality's authority.
Programming
How will the programming be delivered? Will sessions be in-person or remote?
During the Application phase, live workshops and Q&A sessions will be held virtually, and there will be an opportunity to connect with others in your region who are applying. For more information, see the timeline of events here.
For finalists, programming will be a mix of in-person and virtual.
Selection
I submitted an application, what’s next?
All applications will be reviewed and evaluated after the deadline. You will receive a notification from Bloomberg Philanthropies that your application has been received. If you are selected to become a finalist, you will be notified by the end of March 2025.