GBC-Education’s Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge helps solve an urgent problem: in the US, four million youth are not in school or employed. Millions more young people are underemployed.
The Challenge invites cities to develop bold, innovative ideas that equip young people with skills to participate in the workforce and address the Ten Standards for a Skills-Friendly City.
We are excited to launch our second Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge. This is a call to action for city leaders, youth-serving organizations, higher education institutions, and businesses to come together to develop bold, innovative ideas that equip young people with the skills they need for tomorrow’s workforce.
Thank you for your interest
The applications for the Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge were closed on 21 July 2023
Finalists will be informed in mid-October 2023
Please contact us if you have any questions.
The Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge is a call to action for city leaders, youth-serving organizations, higher education institutions, and businesses to come together to develop bold, innovative ideas that equip young people with the skills they need for tomorrow’s workforce.
The Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge is based on the 10 Standards for Skills Friendly Cities developed with experts in education, workforce development, and economic development. We invite 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the United States to apply in partnership with any city or metro area, including county seats (large and small), businesses, and higher education institutions by 23 June, 2023 21 July 2023 (Extended Deadline!)
Fifteen (15) partnerships with the highest-impact ideas to make their communities more “skills friendly” and support youth skills development will be awarded grants of up to U.S. $100.000, in-kind business support to grow their projects and join tour prestigious Skills Friendly Cities Community Incubator Program to learn from experts and peers.
Applications must be submitted by a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with a registered 501(c)(3) status in good standing. Preference will be given to partnerships that involve cities (metro areas, county seats, large and small), youth-serving non-profits, education institutions, and businesses.
Fifteen (15) winners with the most impactful ideas to make their cities and communities more “skills friendly” and support youth skills development will be awarded grants of up to 100.000 USD, in-kind business support to grow their projects and join the renowned Skills Friendly Cities Community Incubator Program to learn from experts in youth development and education, business leaders and peers from like-minded organizations.
You can learn more about the Ten Standards for Skills Friendly Cities and the research behind the standards here.
Applicants will need to complete the application form, including the required documentation, and submit the completed materials before the deadline on June 23, 2023 – July 21, 2023 – 23:59 PST (Extended Deadline!)
No, the Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge is currently open only to 501 (c)(3) nonprofits and their partnering cities, youth organizations, and businesses based in the U.S. but we hope to expand it globally in the upcoming years.
Finalists for the Big Ideas, Bright Cities challenge will be announced in August, and the winner will be announced in September 2023! October 2023 (Update: We have received more than double the number of applications compared to last year and will delay the announcement of the finalist by a few weeks to ensure each application is given fair and ample consideration by the review committee.)
You can also reach out to us at [email protected]
Our information webinar took place on July 12th. If you have missed it but would like to receive the recording please reach out to us via email.
Big Ideas, Bright Cities initiative outlines Ten Standards needed to create a “skills friendly” city, including critical activities and indicators of success that lead to a better-prepared generation of youth ready to enter the workforce.
Thank you for your interest.
The applications for the Big Ideas, Bright Cities are now closed.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
GBC-Education Report
A skills-friendly city fully cultivates a collaborative ecosystem for young people ages 15-25, encompassing:
