A foundation associated with automaking giant Toyota Motor Corporation has launched a three-year, US$9-million Sustainable City Challenge to help communities deliver innovative solutions to local mobility challenges.
In the first stage of the challenge, the Toyota Mobility Foundation is inviting cities everywhere to submit their ideas by September 18. Along with two project partners, Challenge Works and the World Resources Institute, Toyota will shortlist 10 applicants, then winnow the list down to three winners that will each receive up to $3 million for their projects by mid-2024.
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Toyota and its partners are looking for cities with “mobility issues unsolved through current pathways and processes” in need of innovative solutions, the challenge website states. They’ll be assessing ideas for their potential “transferability or scalability” after the competition ends, along with evidence of a commitment to action om the part of local governments and stakeholders.
The 10 shortlisted cities will “receive a range of capacity-building support to understand the issue they want to solve and attract innovators to provide solutions,” including an invitation to attend a capacity-building academy in Dallas, Texas in November, 2023, the foundation says. They’ll also get to take part in follow-up sessions on specific design challenges and peer sharing with the other participating communities.
