Israel
Moshe Lion
857,752 (2015)
Avner Saadon
Improve service delivery
Generate new sources of revenue
Anticipate and manage future challenges
Dedicated funding
Focus on measurement
Dedicated innovation team
Leadership from Mayor
Culture of innovation in city
As the largest city in Israel, Jerusalem is home to 10% of the country's population and a diverse kaleidoscope of cultures, nationalities, religions, socioeconomic statuses, and opinions. It is a true microcosm of Israeli society. Within this unique and complex dynamic, the city hosts many innovative programs – from youth at risk, to education and to housing – leveraging social investments and expertise across disciplines to develop and implement feasible, yet out-of-the-box ideas that improve the quality of life of the communities who live in our vibrant city and do business in it.
Note: The City Innovation Snapshot (PDF version) was produced in 2019 and some aggregate findings have been updated with the latest survey results below.
Along with 50% of cities surveyed, Jerusalem has an explicit innovation strategy. Similar to more than half of cities surveyed, Jerusalem approaches innovation capacity both from a holistic/macro level, as well as in specific policy areas.
Jerusalem’s innovation work is sprinkled throughout the municipality. The Jerusalem also has i-team which consists of 4-6 staff and the Municipality adds 2-3 innovation-related project managers yearly in different departments.
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
Its innovation activities also include taking risks and testing new ideas and facilitating organizational change within the municipal administration.
Like 81% of cities surveyed, Jerusalem has dedicated funding to support innovation capacity.
Jerusalem also pays for services to a third party.
Jerusalem has developed partnerships to promote its innovation capacity with other public agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and city residents/resident associations.
To improve data use, the city has also developed data partnerships with the private sector, academia, think tanks, and private philanthropy to collect and analyze data.