The Covid-19 pandemic has posed similar challenges to cities and municipalities around the world. What have we learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and how can innovative solutions also be used in the post-crisis period? The international digital ideas competition #SolutionsForCities, started by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI), is not only intended to find answers to all these questions. Rather, cities and municipalities are to be supported through international collaboration in identifying digital solutions to overcome their local challenges.
Partnering cities of the International Smart Cities Network (ISCN) and German cities that have been recognized as "Smart Cities Model Projects" have identified current challenges to be solved through the international ideas competition.
![Solutions for Cities International Ideas Competition Timeline]()
Stages of the ideas competition
The international idea competition consists of three stages: the "call for solutions", the "scalathon" and the final "pitch".
Call for Solutions
From October 28th until November 9th 2020, international companies and start-ups as well as local authorities, think tanks, research institutions and actors of the civil society have the opportunity to use the platform www.solutionsforcities.de to submit digital solutions to solve specific urban challenges published by partnering cities and communities.
The scalathon
After completing the Call for Solutions, participating cities and municipalities select the solution that is best suited to solve their challenge. From November 23rd to November 25th, the selected solution providers will work together in a three-day virtual workshop with the respective municipality or city to further develop the digital solutions submitted and to adapt them to the concrete local challenge.
THE PITCH
In early December, the teams will pitch their final solution in a virtual event. Afterwards, the winning teams of the international ideas competition will be announced. Winners are eligible to receive funding for the implementation of their solution in Germany or one of the participating international partner cities.
Submit your idea now to solve one of the challenges of the participating cities!
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