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Earning trust: Baltimore’s lessons in public innovation
Bloomberg Cities Network
Flipping the script on youth engagement
New Playbook on Innovation for Cities, Mayors, and Governments
MAR 12, 2025
The Path to Public Innovation Playbook compiles 10-plus years of city experiences of innovation team best practices into a comprehensive guide for local governments seeking to drive meaningful change.
From Crisis to Care: Reykjavík’s Bold Leap to Provide Innovative Support for Every Child
In 2021, Reykjavík’s leaders faced an urgent need for better, faster support for students. Through the work of the city’s digital i-team, with backing from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, city leaders launched an ambitious plan to merge digital innovation with human-centered care to create A Better City for Children.
Current News
Gender Equity is Critical for Government Innovation
Gender equity is vital for inclusive government innovation. Diverse gender perspectives must shape decisions and include all identities. At the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, we prioritize gender diversity to create programs that benefit all.
A Public Sector Innovation First at Johns Hopkins – New Course Shines a Light on Innovation for Baltimore-based Students
We are proud to announce a course led by Fellows Tommi Laitio and Terrance Smith. The course aims to inspire future public servants in responsible urban design and inclusive planning, fostering innovation and trust in local government.
Learning Grounds for Conviviality
Tommi Laitio, Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow, explores the concept of conviviality–living harmoniously with differences–within these environments and highlights the need to embrace discomfort and create spaces where everyone is valued.
Is Your Innovation Lab on the Map? Join the Research
The growth of public innovation since the 1990s is immense. A recent Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation brief tracks 119 units globally. Is your city included? Contribute your innovation stories in a 3-minute survey and help expand the field.
Can You Believe It? BCPI Celebrates One Year Since Our Launch
At CityLab, co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute, BCPI celebrated public innovation achievements and diverse leadership. We celebrate our successful first year and help us continue building this network of support for cities.
New Research: Early Insights into Global Innovation Efforts
Public innovation is shaping effective government solutions. Discover how leaders challenge norms and redefine boundaries in communities in our report, “Public Innovation: 6 Ways Local Governments are Breaking Boundaries.”
Upcoming Opportunities
Public Innovators Network
The Public Innovators Network welcomes local government leaders and staff who are committed to using innovation, data, collaboration, and resident engagement to deliver exceptional results for people. It is the premier place to learn from one another and access cutting-edge resources and support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Explore & Engage
The Path to Public Innovation Playbook and Toolkit offer comprehensive guidance designed for city leaders and practitioners aiming to build innovation capacity, improve resident outcomes, and promote trust in government. Featuring lessons from i-teams in cities across the globe, the Playbook and Toolkit provide practical frameworks to deliver impact and achieve systems-level transformation.