What We Do
The Mayors Innovation Project is a national learning network for mayors committed to shared prosperity, environmental sustainability, and efficient democratic government.
Around the country, mayors are taking the lead on pressing issues—climate change, racial equity, economic revitalization, housing, and more.
The Mayors Innovation Project supports mayors by providing cutting-edge thinking and concrete examples that mayors can implement.
Mayors face unique challenges in the executive role. Over the past two decades, we have created a connected community of mayors dedicated to improving their cities through a high-road focus on equity, sustainability, and democracy. We create spaces for mayors to connect with each other and help them amplify what works. Participating mayors reflect a broad diversity of population, geography, economic situation, form of government, and more – all are welcome.
Founded in 2005 by Madison, WI’s former Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Joel Rogers, a professor and Director of the High Road Strategy Center, the Mayors Innovation Project is based at the University of Wisconsin – Madison at the think-and-do tank, the High Road Strategy Center.
Get Involved
Attend a meeting
Mayors, city staff, and partners who attend our meetings leave with more than inspiration—they gain replicable ideas, valuable connections, and proven resources that they can take back to their cities and implement right away.
Become a member
Our network consists of cities in all regions and of all sizes—all mayors are welcome!. Members get free meeting registrations, access to exclusive policy memos, and a network of peers across the country committed to driving real and lasting change.
Sign up for our newsletter
Our newsletter provides you with cutting-edge city policy and information on timely local government issues. We amplify solutions that work and the leaders that helped bring them to life.
Why attend our meetings? Hear from Mayors directly:
We create spaces where mayors can share their most innovative ideas, ask tough questions, and share the real solutions that helped them achieve success.
Learn
We connect mayors with research and the technical assistance relevant to the challenges their city is facing.
Exchange
We provide a forum for mayors to share best practices, often learning directly from those who led their implementation.
Innovate
Our research, technical assistance, and cohorts provide mayors with new policy solutions.