Brazil
Rafael Greca de Macedo
1,930,000 (2019)
Cris Alessi
Save costs and improve efficiency within the public sector
Generate new sources of revenue
Simplify administrative procedures for firms and residents
Dedicated funding
Focus on measurement
Dedicated innovation team
Support from outside city administration
Leadership from Mayor
policies to disseminate the culture of innovation among residents
staff training on partnerships and financing opportunities
In 2018, Curitiba enshrined its innovation goals and strategy into a law developed within the Pinhão Valley program. The Innovation Law was approved by city council and sanctioned by the mayor of Curitiba after being developed with inputs from local universities and industry associations. The law aims to promote innovation and technological research by enabling Curitiba to establish tax incentives, enter into public private partnerships with firms and universities, develop innovation and technology projects, and access various types of funding. Curitiba believes that partnering with local technology, research, and investment resources will increase its ability to bring innovative change to residents.
Along with 50% of cities surveyed, Curitiba has an explicit innovation strategy. Similar to more than half of cities surveyed, Curitiba approaches innovation capacity both from a holistic/macro level, as well as in specific policy areas.
Economic development: Curitiba created public co-working spaces for companies/entrepreneurs that did not have the necessary resources to develop their ideas and projects. These incubator spaces enable innovators to better focus on their creations, without worrying about paying for utilities and other basic expenses that could undermine their deliverables.
Government finance: In 2017, we were able to approve a financial recovery plan to reduce administrative costs, implement a new pension fund system, and pay overdue debts. This plan, which was adopted in different Brazilian cities after Curitiba's success, allowed the City Hall to maintain positive cash flow and resume stalled investments.
Curitiba’s innovation work is sprinkled throughout the municipal administration. Although Curitiba has an Agency for Development and Innovation, city staff working on innovation are not restricted to working in this department.
Taking risks or testing new ideas
Data-driven analytics/public data management
Engaging residents in new ways
Developing new solutions based on digital technologies
Organizational change within the municipality
Human-centered design
Rethinking your city’s approach to financing partnerships
Like 81% of cities surveyed, Curitiba has dedicated funding to support innovation capacity.
As the Innovation Fund was approved at the end of 2019, activities being funded are still being defined.
*"Training staff and building capacity" is not an option in the 2018 survey, while "Launching or sustaining a project" is not an option in the 2020 survey.
Curitiba has developed partnerships to promote innovation capacity with other public agencies, private firms, not-for-profit organizations, and city residents/resident associations.