Belfast has been awarded $1 million (approximately £750,000) through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025 – 2026.

The funding will support a city-wide programme to transform Belfast's extensive network of alleyways, using these public spaces as a testbed for a new, scalable model of community service delivery and urban maintenance.

Belfast was selected from over 630 global applications and 50 finalists, making it the only city in Northern Ireland to secure the prestigious award. The proposal focuses on redesigning the collaboration between the council and local residents to move away from reactive, one-size-fits-all maintenance toward a more sustainable and proactive framework.

The successful bid was developed following extensive community engagement, which utilised innovative tools such as a conversational AI agent and face-to-face sessions. This research confirmed that while every community and alleyway is different, there is a strong public appetite for increased involvement in shaping and caring for shared spaces.

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The project will introduce new tools and mechanisms to support resident-led action, including the establishment of local resource hubs. These hubs will provide communities with access to recycled materials, digital data tools, and small grants to facilitate physical improvements. By empowering residents to lead on environmental stewardship, the programme aims to create a more resilient urban fabric.

The initiative will be tested initially in specific locations to refine approaches to waste management and local decision-making. These pilots will provide the data necessary to inform a longer-term, city-wide strategy. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, noted that the programme offers a blank canvas to listen to resident ideas and support solutions that make sense at a local level rather than imposing a uniform model across the city.

Lord Mayor Kelly stated that the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge is about innovation and putting neighbourhoods at the heart of decision-making. She emphasised that the programme will help refine approaches to community stewardship, which will ultimately inform how the city manages its shared spaces for generations to come.

Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, added that the most effective city halls are those that are bold and proactive in solving problems. He expressed his support for Belfast as it brings this innovative project to life, with the potential for these community-led ideas to spread to other cities globally.