Belfast has been selected as one of 50 global finalists in Bloomberg Philanthropies' sixth Mayors Challenge, a prestigious international competition designed to foster local government innovation and improve urban life. The city's proposal, put forward by Belfast City Council, focuses on re-imagining its extensive network of alleyways to create shared community assets.

Selected from over 630 applications from 33 countries, Belfast will receive $50,000 (almost £37,000) to prototype its innovative idea. This initial funding will allow the Council to work closely with communities and stakeholders to develop and test concepts for transforming these often-overlooked spaces.

Council staff are also set to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies' Ideas Camp in July 2025, where they will have the opportunity to refine and test their concept with expert feedback and peer collaboration. In January 2026, 25 of the most promising ideas from the 50 finalists will each be awarded $1 million (£735,000) and operational assistance to bring their proposals to fruition.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, expressed delight at the city's selection: "Belfast is thrilled to have been selected as a finalist for this challenge and to get the chance to test drive the exciting ideas we have for maximising the city's alleyways. Alleyways present challenges in terms of cleanliness, anti-social behaviour and connectivity, but they offer real opportunities too, with the potential to use these spaces more effectively to bring communities together and enjoy more time outdoors, especially for those living in areas of high deprivation without access to private gardens." Councillor Kelly acknowledged the groundwork already laid by local residents. "Community volunteers have driven this type of work so far, to great effect, and this funding will now allow us to build on their experiences and to look at what may potentially work in other areas of our city too. Between July and October, we will design and test activities with residents to inform our final funding bid. If successful, it will help transform these often forgotten spaces into places of real beauty and value."

Belfast's proposal specifically aims to develop a more strategic and sustainable approach to regenerating the city's estimated 126 miles of alleyways. The prototype activities will focus on providing additional outdoor space for residents, improving wellbeing, increasing planting and play areas, reducing dumping, and fostering greater community interest and ownership of these spaces.

James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation programme at Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlighted the nature of the Challenge: "Local government is where people meet policy—and where government improves lives and builds trust. That's why municipal innovation isn't about grand gestures—it's about solving hard problems under pressure, often with imperfect tools and finite resources."

He commended the finalists for their practical approach: "These Mayors Challenge finalists stand out because they're not just thinking creatively—they're designing solutions that reckon with the complexity of implementation and the urgency of their residents' needs. Their proposals reflect a new standard for public sector achievement: ambitious, yes, but also grounded, disciplined, and ripe for real impact."

Belfast joins a diverse group of 49 other finalists from around the globe, including cities like Barcelona, Cape Town, Detroit, Helsinki, Kyiv, and Toronto, all vying for the ultimate prize to implement their transformative urban innovations. This round of the Mayors Challenge is set to distribute more funding and assist more cities than any of its five predecessors.

To learn more about the 50 finalist proposals, visit mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org