Supporting ideas that help cities thrive
The best ideas for healthier cities often begin with the people who understand their communities best.
Through our global innovation challenges, we work with partners to identify impactful approaches and share them across a wider network of cities, helping successful ideas travel further and inspire action in new places.
Supporting ideas that help cities thrive
The best ideas for healthier cities often begin with the people who understand their communities best.
Through our global innovation challenges, we work with partners to identify impactful approaches and share them across a wider network of cities, helping successful ideas travel further and inspire action in new places.
Our challenges
Each challenge focuses on a different opportunity to improve health in cities.
Active Play Challenge (2026)
Children and young people need active play to grow, learn, stay healthy and thrive. Yet opportunities for play are shrinking worldwide.
The Active Play Challenge invites organisations from around the world to reimagine play spaces and create initiatives designed to bring active play into everyday routines.
Previous challenges
In partnership with the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)
Cycling as a pathway to healthier, more connected and more sustainable communities.
Meet the winners
- Strengthening food security through community kitchens, gardens and family support in Brazil
- Funding healthy school meals through locally produced nutritious foods in Mozambique
- Reviving healthy food, play and cultural traditions with indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities in Brazil
In partnership with C40 Cities
Place-based approaches to creating healthier, greener and more inclusive neighbourhoods.
Meet the winners
- Revitalising public spaces to improve walking and cycling routes in Nairobi, Kenya
- Applying 15-minute city principles to improve liveability and active mobility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Expanding access to healthy food through community markets, gardens and food education in Buenos Aires, Argentina
In partnership with UNICEF
Community-based initiatives supporting healthier childhoods through food, movement and play.
Meet the winners
- Strengthening food security through community kitchens, gardens and family support in Brazil
- Funding healthy school meals through locally produced nutritious foods in Mozambique
- Reviving healthy food, play and cultural traditions with indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities in Brazil
In partnership with EAT
Healthy and sustainable food environments for the people who need them most.
Meet the winners
Developing nutritious and affordable foods with local farmers and entrepreneurs in multiple countries, including Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Strengthening food literacy and healthier eating habits through neighbourhood-led programmes in Lisbon, Portugal
Creating healthier school food environments with students, families and schools in Cambodia
