IBM Accepts Applications for the Smarter Cities Challenge

In 2010, IBM launched the Smarter Cities Challenge project . The aim of the project is to help city administrations to solve the urgent tasks facing them. For each city, such a task is individual, and its solution can be a daunting task. As part of the Smarter Cities Challenge initiative, IBM has already deployed 700 of its specialists to city municipalities around the world, where they provided free advice to local authorities in providing vital services to the public.

In the first four years of the program, most of the 116 municipalities that won the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge have been able to improve public safety, economic development, urban income, the quality of social services, public transport, utilities, and increase citizen involvement in solving urban problems . Each Smarter Cities Challenge project was valued at approximately $ 500,000.

After intensive training, each team of the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge consisting of six people spends three weeks in the allocated grant region. They analyze all available data on the critical issue identified by the municipality. Members of the IBM team personally meet with dozens of representatives of local authorities, business, non-profit and public organizations, as well as ordinary citizens. In the process of these meetings, they get to know different points of view about the causes and possible solutions to the problem, receiving first-hand information. After analyzing the information, IBM provides the municipality with comprehensive recommendations for improving the quality of service for citizens, which are accompanied by a detailed plan for the implementation of relevant projects. Such plans, among other things, contain examples of

Following previous IBM recommendations, IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant holders have significantly improved the quality of life of their citizens. For example:

Glasgow (UK) subsidizes heating costs for senior low-income citizens. The city also secured $ 40 million in additional funding from the UK Government Government Technology Strategy Board.

Jacksonville(Florida, USA) opened a public resource, implemented in the form of an information panel that displays indicators of urban efficiency and achievements in economic and social development, including issued permits for urban construction, created jobs, benefits for veterans and much more. This project has been praised by the US Institute of Public Technology.

Johannesburg (South Africa) has implemented a comprehensive technology solution for public safety and emergency management.
Nanjing (China) implemented a program using social media, which helped to attract over 2 million people to participate in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games as volunteers.

Porto Alegre(Brazil) introduced the Digital PoA online platform, which facilitates digital interaction between citizens, city authorities, communities and local organizations.

Syracuse (New York, USA) analyzes data to identify homes and neighborhoods that need “revitalization” —the revitalization, restoration, and modernization of social and integration ties. Efforts under this initiative have led, inter alia, to a 69% increase in the collection of overdue property taxes.

Valparaiso (Chile) received from the government of the country $ 100 million for the implementation of projects in the field of urban transport.



According to Jennifer Kreutzer, IBM Vice President of Global Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives, it was decided to extend the project for one simple reason: “It works efficiently. City leaders from around the world told us how IBM recommendations helped them solve complex problems. In their opinion, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is that rare program that brings people together and provides amazing long-term results. We are very proud of this, and we invite city mayors and regional leaders to also take this opportunity to solve their most complex and pressing problems. Let's see what we can do together. ”

Since the launch of the program, 116 cities from around the world have participated in the project (500 settlements submitted applications for participation in the project).

Applications for participation in the program can be submitted to IBM from January 13, 2015 to February 6, 2015. You can apply here .