I often complain about Toronto’s public transportation (and so do all of my friends). It seems oddly inefficient, out of date and grumpy. I figure it’s because elected officials have no resources to improve it. Or maybe it’s because no one really knows what to do. But I know it can be better. I’ve been to Portland, Oregon. That city has an amazingly efficient, modern, friendly and even partially free public transportation system.
Your city may be the same way, but maybe it’s not about public transportation. Maybe there are other challenges your city or town is facing. It could be jobs, health, public safety, social services, recreation, education, energy or sustainability - areas where year after year there seems to be little improvement and the basic priority is....decay management.
IBM is offering your mayor help - for free!
Last month I was speaking with my friend, David Robitaille. Dave is the Manager of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs at IBM Canada. After catching up on life in general, he began telling me about this cool initiative he had been working on: the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge.
Turns out your city doesn’t need to merely manage decay. Even though there may be little to no money in the budget for improvement, something can be done. Cities across the world can now apply for year-two of the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge. This is a US$50 million grant program that is being spent across 100 cities. The grant furnishes expert advice from IBM consultants to 100 progressive municipalities. And according to David, the results are worth it!
If your application is approved, your city will have access to IBM's top talent. They will devote weeks of their time analyzing unique opportunities and challenges your urban center may be facing. During this time, the IBM team will meet with officials, citizens, businesses, academics and community leaders to ensure an accurate understanding of the issues involved. Finally, the IBM team will recommend steps to make the delivery of services to your neighbors more efficient and innovative. The value of the talent provided for an individual engagement in a given city is approximately US$400,000.
Why this is a good idea
I love it when companies play to their strengths when it comes to CSR. The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge not only aligns with IBM's brand, it utilizes employees in strategic roles. This isn't philanthropy, but it does make the world a better place. It isn't volunteering, but it
engages employees in unique and interesting ways to improve communities. The initiative certainly passes our litmus test for high impact community investments.
Other community programs do not. (Pharma companies planting trees, for example).
Is it working?
The program is already helping cities that engaged with IBM in 2011. For example, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina is now planning its budgets and improvements with all its towns and villages in a more coordinated way. St. Louis, Missouri has hired officials to better share of information among agencies involved in criminal justice so that they can make better legal decisions. And Edmonton in Canada is using data more effectively to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
Here’s how to apply
In order to be eligible for the IBM grant, city mayors need to apply before December 16, and the application is online.
To find out more, please visit http://smartercitieschallenge.org/ or YouTube for videos from some of the 2011 Smarter Cities Challenge grant winners.
Realized Worth works with major corporations to launch high impact employee volunteer programs. We focus specifically on the challenge of employee engagement. Call us to chat: 317.371.4435.
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