Next Century Cities Announces New Awards for Tech-Powered Civic Engagement

Next Century Cities announced the new Next Generation Engagement Awards, aimed at rewarding communities harnessing high-speed Internet to enhance citizens’ democratic participation and engagement. Winning communities will receive financial resources, technical support from experts, and workshops to connect with other innovators. The competition is designed to strengthen and learn from cities’ efforts to drive more participatory democracy and civic engagement using high-speed broadband.

Winning communities will be awarded up to $30,000 to implement or enhance projects that tap high-speed Internet access to better engage their citizens in the democratic and civic process. At least three communities will win the inaugural Awards. Applications will be accepted through June 15, 2016 and winners will be announced in late summer. Examples of areas ripe for innovation include: Participatory budgeting; Public transportation and urban planning; Involvement in local government deliberations; or Community concern reporting and response.