Microsoft CityNext: Nominate the UK Digital City of the Year! Just 2 weeks to go!

This year, as part of the Microsoft CityNext initiative, Microsoft is partnering with the Municipal Journal to present the first ever UK Digital City of the Year award, honouring the city or city region best deploying a people-first initiative that transforms services, engages citizens and accelerates growth.

The winner won’t be announced until this summer, but the period of submitting nominations closes on Friday, 7 Feb. at 5 p.m.

Who can enter?

• While “city” is defined for purposes of this award as a Primary Urban Area (as specified by the Centre for Cities), entries from other urban areas which meet the spirit of this category are welcome. 
• Entries will need to be supplied from the chief executive and/or leader of city and/or city region authorities.

What are the judges looking for?

• The award is for the city that most improved the lives of their citizens, developed their potential and met their changing needs for integrated, digital public services.
• The factors that will be taken into consideration are: Innovation, imagination and ambition, evidence of a good clear strategy for the project or policy, evidence of good management, evidence the strategy was clearly communicated to staff and other stakeholders, value for money, evidence that the project/policy has made a difference to customers and evidence it has achieved or is well on the way to achieving what it set out to do.

How can my city enter?

• If you’re a chief executive or the leader of a city or city region authority, you can submit your nomination here for free.
• A shortlist of nominees will be developed in the coming weeks, with final interviews being held this spring.

The winner of the award will be announced on 19 June. Check back here often for the latest in CityNext news and events.