Athens is among the 5 cities selected as winners in the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2014 Mayors Challenge, "an ideas competition that encourages cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life – and that have the potential to spread to other cities."

Athens will be awarded €1 million for the implementation of "Synathina, a public platform for engaged citizens." This is an online platform that will connect the new dynamic input of civil society with local institutions and local government to collaboratively devise solutions to local problems, ensuring solid foundations and sustainable policies for the revival of Athens’ neighborhoods.

Barcelona will receive the Mayors Challenge Grand Prize for Innovation and €5 million toward its proposal to create a digital and community ‘trust network’ for each of its at-risk elderly residents.