October 29, 2024 
4 Min 
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The City of Johannesburg has developed a Smart City Strategy, SCIIP, and an Innovation Framework aimed at modernising service delivery methods. This framework encourages both employees and citizens to innovate, thereby accelerating service delivery. It offers guidance on the approach, methodology, and strategic direction necessary for creating an environment conducive to co-producing innovative, impactful solutions that are effective, visible, and sustainable.
The purpose of the Innovation Challenge is to:
- Foster a culture of innovation through both significant advancements and incremental improvements.
- Engage residents and employees to collaborate on impactful solutions using their combined ideas.
- Eliminate bureaucratic barriers to enhance innovation in service delivery
To foster innovation among City residents at regional and ward levels within Johannesburg, and to recognise and reward individuals, teams, and community organisations for innovations suitable for local-level piloting; the solutions should:
- Address significant issues or bottlenecks experienced by residents daily.
- Propose novel approaches, practices, or processes to enhance the delivery of government services to residents.
- Cut government costs related to theft, poor governance, vandalism, corruption, etc.
- Enhance residents’ safety (reduce crime, gender-based violence, etc.), health (address hunger, provide home care, etc.), or overall well-being (mental and physical wellness).
- Foster local economic development (create community jobs, support small business growth, etc.).
- Promote cleaner streets and improve neighbourhood beautification.
- Encourage recycling to reduce waste and support environmental sustainability
Read more about the challenge.
Click here to apply.
Closing date
Friday, November 29, 2024
Industry
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Mining and quarrying
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
Construction
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
Transportation and storage
Accommodation and food service activities
Information and communication
Financial and insurance activities
Real estate activities
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Administrative and support service activities
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
Education
Human health and social work activities
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other service activities
Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and-service-producing activities of households for own use
Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies, not economically active people, unemployed people etc.
CoJ’s R1.1m innovation challenge aimed at fixing the city
The initiative addresses declining service delivery.
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has launched its Smart City Community Innovation Challenge and Awards 2024. The challenge invites residents, particularly youth, to submit innovative ideas to improve municipal services and infrastructure.
The competition offers R1.1 million in funding for pilot projects and small stipends for winners.
Guided by the city’s Smart City Office, the initiative addresses declining service delivery by fostering collaboration among residents, local organisations, and the city’s administration. CoJ noted that it encourages practical solutions to modernise urban management and enhance public service quality.
Despite its status as South Africa’s economic hub, Johannesburg faces challenges like ageing infrastructure and governance issues that threaten residents’ well-being.
From 7 October to 29 November 2024, the challenge invites individuals and community organisations to propose practical solutions to everyday issues.
Winners will be awarded in three categories:
- First place (one winner): Will receive a pilot project valued at R300 000.
- Second place (two winners): Will receive a pilot project valued at R200 000 each.
- Third place (four winners): Will receive a pilot project valued at R100 000 each.
This initiative seeks to promote innovation, drive economic development, and enhance citizen engagement in municipal governance. Key submission criteria include impact, scalability, service enhancement, and feasibility.
Finalists will receive support from local experts and the opportunity for their ideas to be showcased on the city’s social media platforms, where community votes will influence the selection of winners.
Nelson Sekgota, project manager at Wits University’s Tshimologong Precinct, emphasised that submissions should provide low-cost, practical solutions that can be easily implemented.
“This is more than just an awards event — it’s a call for bold, practical ideas that reimagine urban management. Our collaboration with Wits Tshimologong ensures that we’re tapping into cutting-edge academic expertise while leveraging community insights to build a more agile and responsive city,” said Sekgota.
Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Dada Morero, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative: “We want to merge creativity with collaboration to unlock new opportunities. Central to our approach is the city’s comprehensive innovation framework, a strategic roadmap fostering innovation where residents and stakeholders can generate real-world solutions.
“Winning ideas won’t just receive recognition; they’ll be piloted to improve specific areas of city services,” he concluded.
Click here to apply.