Bloomberg Philanthropies will identify 100 cities in North and South America that are the most sophisticated at using data and aims to propel them to an even higher standard.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is launching a data alliance to empower selected cities in the US, Canada and Latin America to uncover the “next frontier” of data-informed governance.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies’ City Data Alliance will identify 100 cities that are the most sophisticated at using data to make policy decisions. It aims to propel them to an even higher standard with executive education, direct-to-city coaching, and a focused investment to improve a critical data capacity.
Through a $60m investment, the alliance will help these cities as they use data to develop new ways to reduce budgetary waste, invest in what works, advance equity, and train citywide workforce in best practices.
“A growing number of city leaders are using data to drive their decision-making, and as they respond to unprecedented new challenges, expanding this programme will help them do it even more effectively,” said Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th mayor of New York City.
He added: “The City Data Alliance will give an international community of forward-thinking leaders even more tools for harnessing the power of data – and improving their residents’ everyday lives.”
In cities with advanced data practices – which include using stakeholder engagement, open data, and performance analytics to inform decision-making – residents report higher satisfaction and wellbeing than those without. The Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance will bring more cities to this advanced standard for data practices to improve resident outcomes.
In partnership with the Bloomberg Centres at Johns Hopkins University, specifically the Centre for Government Excellence, along with the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, the Behavioural Insights Team, Results for America, and Public Digital, the City Data Alliance will deliver specialised training, expert coaching, and an executive education programme.
The aim is to: equip city leaders with the skills to lead confidently with data; help them invest in the right people and tools for data-informed decision making; engage residents around data that matters in their lives; and deliver high impact services.
Mayors will participate in a six-month acceleration programme that includes executive education, individualised city coaching and consultation, as well as a 12-month investment to improve a critical data capacity such as performance management, procurement, evaluation, or data as a service.
“The City Data Alliance will give an international community of forward-thinking leaders even more tools for harnessing the power of data – and improving their residents’ everyday lives”
Cities across the US, Latin America, and Canada with populations of 100,000 or more are eligible to apply. The first cohort of cities will be announced in Spring 2022.
The City Data Alliance builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ more than six years of work with local governments to improve their data practices in service of improving residents’ lives. For more information on the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance or to apply, click here.
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