Mike Bloomberg’s call to Caribbean cities seems to have been answered.
A total of 18 cities in the wider Caribbean have entered the 2016 Mayors Challenge, Bloomberg’s competition to award cities that generate “powerful ideas.”
Participating mayors must submit a “bold idea that addresses a serious problem, improves customer service for residents, creates significant government efficiencies, and/or increases public engagement.”
A total of 900 cities with 100,000 ore more residents were invited to compete; the Caribbean cities that entered include five in the Dominican Republic; one in Guyana; 7 in Haiti; four in Jamaica and one in Suriname.
“It’s been great to see the excitement among Latin American and Caribbean cities since we launched the Mayors Challenge in the region. Of the three Mayors Challenges we’ve held, this year’s features the greatest number of cities and the highest rate of participation,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “That shows how eager the mayors are to find innovative ways to improve people’s lives, and we’re looking forward to seeing the ideas that arise from such a diverse group of cities.”
The competition includes a $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to cities that generate winning ideas.