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Netanya has been named one of the world’s most innovative municipalities after winning a $1 million grant in the prestigious Mayors Challenge organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The coastal Israeli city secured its place among 24 global winners for an early childhood support initiative designed to meet families where they live and gather — in neighborhood parks and public spaces. The recognition marks a first for an Israeli municipality in the competition’s history.
Now in its sixth edition, the Mayors Challenge rewards cities that design bold, scalable solutions to everyday urban problems. This year’s contest focused on improving essential services such as housing comfort, waste reduction, transit access, and social welfare.
More than 630 cities applied worldwide, with 50 finalists receiving $50,000 each to test and refine their ideas. From this pool, a panel of experts selected the final 24 municipalities for their creativity, impact potential, and feasibility.
Netanya’s winning concept, called Kesher Nolad — Hebrew for “A Bond Is Born” — focuses on early childhood development through direct community outreach. Rather than expecting parents to seek help, professionals bring services into everyday public spaces.
Under the program, specialists in child development, parenting guidance, and early education meet families in local parks. They offer practical tools, developmental screenings, and support that might otherwise be difficult to access due to time, cost, or bureaucracy.
City officials say the goal is to identify challenges during a child’s formative years, when intervention can have the greatest long-term impact. By meeting parents informally in familiar environments, the program lowers barriers and encourages trust.
Mayor Avi Slama described the initiative as a shift in how municipalities approach social services. He said local authorities must anticipate problems instead of reacting only after families struggle.
“The Kesher Nolad initiative was born out of the belief that our responsibility as a local authority is not to wait for challenges to arise, but to meet families and children where their lives take place,” Slama said in a statement.
He added that the project seeks to give every child an equal opportunity while strengthening the broader community. By supporting parents early, the city hopes to reduce educational gaps and improve long-term well-being.
The initiative was developed by the municipality’s Quality and Strategic Planning Department and the Early Childhood Department, working alongside civic partners including CIVIX and the Branco Weiss Education Network.
Bloomberg Philanthropies said the winning ideas stood out for their originality and readiness for implementation. The foundation will also provide technical assistance and strategic guidance to help cities expand their programs effectively.
Committee members praised the selected municipalities for rethinking how government serves residents. They said many of the projects demonstrate how innovation can emerge from practical, community-focused solutions rather than large infrastructure investments.
Foundation founder Michael Bloomberg, a three-term former mayor of New York City, said bold and proactive leadership is critical to solving modern urban challenges.
“The most effective city halls are creative and proactive in meeting residents’ needs,” Bloomberg said. “We look forward to supporting this year’s winners as their ideas spread to more cities around the world.”
For Netanya, the award brings both international recognition and tangible resources. Officials believe the funding will allow the city to expand the program across neighborhoods, train additional professionals, and collect data to measure long-term outcomes.
As cities worldwide grapple with social inequality and rising living costs, Netanya’s approach highlights how small, human-centered interventions can make a difference. By turning parks into hubs of care, Kesher Nolad aims to ensure that no child is left behind.