2025 Global Mayors Challenge
21 October 2024
Core city services, reimagined
By 2050, an additional 2.5 billion people will be living in the world’s towns and cities, with almost 50% of that growth taking place in the Commonwealth. Counties, both large and small, are facing the parallel impacts of climate change and rapid urbanisation, and innovative city leadership will be key to providing safe, inclusive, dynamic cities that allow citizens to thrive.
In this context the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) is thrilled to announce our continued partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies for this 2025 edition of the Mayor’s Challenge. Cities with populations of 100,000 or more are encouraged to apply to this largest ever Mayors Challenge, focused on reimagining core city services.
$1 million for 25 winning cities
In this 6th edition of the Mayors Challenge, 25 cities are set to receive $1 million each, along with operational assistance to bring their transformative ideas to fruition.
The challenge encourages mayors to collaborate with residents and entrepreneurs to reimagine essential municipal services, from public transportation and waste management, to housing and emergency response. Each application must focus on a citywide, resident-facing innovation within the municipality's authority.
Read more in the Bloomberg Mayors' Challenge leaflet.
Commonwealth Excellence
The 2021 challenge saw five winners from the Commonwealth among the 15 selected cities, highlighting the potential impact our members can make on a global scale. Bloomberg Philanthropies has a proven track record of success, having supported the replication of winning ideas in 337 cities worldwide, benefiting over 100 million residents.
The Mayors Challenge 2025
This year’s Challenge is designed to provide more support, and award more winners than ever before, with:
- 50 finalist cities that will receive $50,000 in piloting funder to test and improve their ideas with residents.
- 25 grand prize-winners will receive and additional $1 million each to roll out and deliver impactful results across their city.
Applications are due by December 20, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
We encourage all eligible municipalities to seize this opportunity to drive meaningful change in their communities.
To access the application and for more information, visit the Mayors Challenge website or you can contact CLGF info@clgf.org.uk or mayorschallenge@bloomberg.org with specific questions.
Let’s work together to create a brighter future for our cities!
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