Athens, Greece, Advances in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “Mayors Challenge” Competition

Athens, Monastiraki. © Facebook – ΟΙ ΟΜΟΡΦΙΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ ΜΑΣ

The Municipality of Athens’ “Synathina” online platform put the Greek capital in the running

Athens is among the 21 European cities that have emerged as final contenders in the 2013-2014 Mayors Challenge competition launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The finalists are from a field of 155 applicants.

Mayors Challenge is a competition to inspire cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life, and that ultimately can spread to other cities.

The finalists’ proposed solutions address some of Europe’s most critical issue areas: youth unemployment, aging populations, civic engagement, economic development, environment and energy concerns, public health and safety, and making government more efficient.

Athens’ proposed solution: Synathina

The solution proposed by the Municipality of Athens addresses civic engagement and aims to empower citizens with a new online platform to address the large number of small-scale urban challenges accelerated by the Greek economic crisis. The online platform is named Synathina and was launched by the municipality last summer.

“European cities in this year’s Mayors Challenge stepped up with bold and creative ideas that have the potential to improve lives across the continent and globe,” Michael R. Bloomberg, philanthropist and 108th Mayor of New York City, said in an announcement.

“Cities face many urgent challenges – from climate change to social isolation to youth unemployment. We need city leaders to continually reach for innovative new ways to address urban challenges – and then share what’s working with the world. That’s what the Mayors Challenge is all about,” he added.

One grand prize winner will receive five million euros for the most creative and transferable idea. Four additional cities will be awarded one million euros, and all will be announced in the fall.

Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Mr. Bloomberg’s charitable activities. In 2013, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $452 million.