Engaged Cities Award
Cities, more than ever, are facing an array of public challenges. Many cities are tapping into the expertise and talent of citizens to tackle these challenges head on.
That’s why Cities of Service launched the Engaged Cities Award. We aim to find and elevate the growing number of diverse and creative ways city leaders are harnessing the power of people to solve problems.
Is your city solving problems together with citizens? Perhaps you are tapping the power of citizen science initiatives to map neighborhood issues. Or using new methods to measure satisfaction with public services. Or crowdsourcing resident ideas to find new fixes for old problems.
The Engaged Cities Award celebrates the best and most creative strategies we find – ultimately enabling peer cities from around the world to learn from, adopt, and improve upon these strategies back home.
Interested in learning more about the Engaged Cities Award? You can listen to a recording from our informational webinar to learn more about the award and application process.
Our Philosophy
Citizen collaboration is a force for good
Local government works better when it is open to the ideas and talents of citizens and starts with an assumption that citizen collaboration is a force for good.
Citizen contributions can take many forms
Citizen contributions can take many forms, from defining and prioritizing problems to generating ideas and volunteering their time, creativity, and expertise.
Citizen expertise can help solve public problems
Citizens have deep expertise in their own lives and in what’s best for their families and communities – and this expertise can be leveraged to deliver better services and solve public problems.
What does "citizen" mean to us?
Citizens are residents who actively participate in their community and who see themselves as an integral part of their city. As citizens, we can all take part in creating better places to live, work, and play.
Learn moreThe Latest
September 5, 2018
Q&A with Santiago de Cali: Working with Citizens to Reduce Violence
Rocío Gutiérrez Cely, the Secretary of Peace and Civic Culture for Engaged Cities Award winner Sanitago de Cali, offers advice for other cities that want to effectively engage citizens.
Read moreMay 30, 2018
Building a Stronger Network at the Annual Convening
The annual Cities of Service Convening was a chance for cities to learn from each other.
Read moreMay 21, 2018
And The Engaged Cities Awards Go To . . .
Cities of Service recognizes Bologna, Italy; Santiago de Cali, Colombia; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, for civic innovation through citizen engagement.
Read moreMay 17, 2018
Cities of Service Announces the Winners of Inaugural Engaged Cities Award
Bologna, Italy, Santiago de Cali, Colombia and Tulsa, Oklahoma win Award for incredible work to remove barriers to engagement and foster collaboration between citizens and city government
Read moreMay 3, 2018
How Cities Are Putting Citizens First
By taking a more personal approach, the international finalists for Cities of Service’s Engaged Cities Award are fostering engaged and empowered citizenries.
Read moreApril 20, 2018
When Cities Are As Creative And Collaborative As Startups
The finalists for Cities of Service’s Engaged Cities Award have a lot in common with today’s top companies. Just look at these inventive approaches to local challenges such as transparency and access to healthy food.
Read moreApril 16, 2018
Cities of Service Announces 10 Finalists for the Inaugural Engaged Cities Award
Cities recognized for creative strategies to tap into the power and knowledge of citizens to solve local problems
Read the press releaseFebruary 7, 2018
These Savvy Cities Are Using Tech To Spark Citizen Engagement
From Athens to San Jose to Anchorage, mayors are mobilizing residents to help solve problems and to strengthen their communities.
Read moreNovember 7, 2017
Cities of Service Launches Engaged Cities Award for Cities
Cities of Service launched a new recognition program that will elevate city-led strategies that most successfully engage citizens to help solve pressing local problems.
Read the press releaseNovember 5, 2017
A Call To Turn Residents Into Partners
With the Engaged Cities Award, Cities of Service looks to recognize the impact of creative citizens and mayors—and to inspire more engagement.
Read more