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Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces New Collaboration with the OECD to Advance Innovation in Municipalities Around the World

Collaboration will evaluate the impact of local innovation on the lives of residents

ATHENS, GREECE – Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced a new partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that will measure the impact of city innovation on the lives of urban residents around the world at the 4th meeting of the OECD Champion Mayors Initiative for Inclusive Growth in Athens.  James Anderson, Head of Government Innovation at Bloomberg Philanthropies, joined Jose Angel Gurria Trevino, Secretary General of the OECD, this week to reveal the new collaboration.

Over the past decade we have seen an incredible surge in cities’ interest and commitment to local innovation. We look forward to working with the OECD to assess progress, surface lessons, and better explore the ways these investments are improving outcomes for people and strengthening communities,” said James Anderson, Head of Government Innovation at Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The partnership builds on both organizations’ commitment to advancing local governments’ ability to take on urgent challenges. The research will draw on data from a global pool of cities to analyze the relationship between city innovation investments and performance in key areas such as health, education, employment and wellbeing.

Innovation today is shaping the cities of tomorrow by taking local policymaking to the next level,” said Jose Angel Gurria Trevino, Secretary General of the OECD. “This research will help cities embrace more inclusive and sustainable growth and find different ways to address urban challenges, protect the environment and fight inequality.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies and OECD first partnered in 2018 to evaluate city support for innovation and better understand how and why cities around the world are developing the capacity. The new research announced today will build on this partnership by expanding the data set and examining the relationship between investment and outcomes.

The collaboration will produce new research, tools, and best practices for city leaders around the world using innovation to tackle their toughest problems. A full report is expected to publish in 2020.

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About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in 480 cities in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2018, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $767 million. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on FacebookInstagram, YouTube and Twitter.

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