Twenty‑four cities from across the globe have been named winners of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025–2026, each receiving $1 million in funding and expert support to implement bold new ideas aimed at improving life for residents. The winning cities were selected from more than 630 applicants representing over 35 million people across 20 countries.
The Challenge, launched by former New York City mayor and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg, is designed to spur local government innovation by supporting tested, scalable solutions to complex urban problems. Winners were chosen based on the novelty of their ideas, their potential impact, and strong implementation plans.
Creative, Community‑Driven Projects From Around the World
Among the winners is Pasig City in the Philippines, which will use its prize to co‑design floating parks along the historic Pasig River. The initiative aims to address a shortage of open public space, improve flood management, and deepen resident involvement in urban planning. Pasig’s plan grew from a prototype shaped through extensive community consultation.
In Turku, Finland, city officials will transform food aid by integrating digital tools with community meals and broad social support services. The goal is to create a more dignified and comprehensive food assistance system that addresses not just hunger but the underlying causes of food insecurity.
North America is also represented by South Bend, Indiana, where the local government will add artificial intelligence (AI) to its 311 call center. Rather than replace humans, the AI will help the city respond more proactively and efficientlyto resident inquiries and needs, improving access to city services.
Lafayette, Louisiana, will tackle critical infrastructure challenges by using its funding to repair private sewer lines that currently contribute to stormwater overflow and limit development. By fixing existing systems rather than building costly new ones, the city plans to unlock new growth opportunities and improve quality of life.
Global Solutions With Local Focus
The winning portfolio reflects a wide range of challenges and approaches faced by cities of different sizes and contexts:
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In Barcelona, Spain, the focus is on making home retrofits more affordable and accessible, helping residents upgrade aging housing stock.
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Beira, Mozambique will relocate residents from flood‑prone coastal areas, co‑designing new inland neighborhoods with affected families.
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Netanya, Israel will expand early childhood development programs with mobile play stations and paramedical support in public parks to reach infants and young children.
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Boise, Idaho (USA) plans to deploy municipally managed geothermal energy systems to cut heating and cooling costs for residents.
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Benin City, Nigeria, will expand women’s access to essential health services through neighborhood referrals and kiosks.
- Toronto, Canada, is going to expand bulk purchasing for its school food programs, lowering food costs while supporting local jobs and Canadian farms.
Other winners include cities in South Africa, Colombia, Hungary, Morocco, Japan, India, Belgium, and beyond, each proposing unique solutions to environmental, social, economic, or infrastructure challenges. The winning cities represent 20 countries and five continents, with projects spanning from AI‑driven civic services and urban greening to food and infrastructure systems that benefit tens of millions of people.
From Prototype to Real‑World Impact
Before winning, each city participated in a “prototyping phase,” testing ideas with residents and refining approaches based on real feedback. Winners now receive not only funding, but ongoing support from Bloomberg Philanthropies experts to scale their ideas and measure results, turning tested concepts into lasting civic improvements.
Former Mayor Bloomberg said the Challenge is intended to highlight the power of innovative local leadership, providing municipalities with both the means and the network to solve problems that matter most to their communities.
