Harvard selects government bright ideas
The Ash Center at Harvard Kennedy School has announced 111 government initiatives as Bright Ideas. A team of policy experts from academic and public sectors selected the programs, which demonstrate unique and creative solutions to some of the challenges facing the public sector in the U.S. The Bright Idea winners offered solutions to failing schools, blight and environmental degradation and an apathetic, unengaged citizenry. This year’s winners are from all levels of government—including federal agencies, school districts, county/city/state agencies, as well as public-private partnerships.
The following federal programs were named as Bright Ideas:
Innovative Readiness Training Program, U.S. Department of Defense
Solar Decathlon, U.S. Department of Energy
Investing in Innovation, U.S. Department of Education
Environmentally Responsible Redevelopment and Reuse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Express Insurance, Export-Import Bank of the U.S.
Federal Register 2.0, National Archives and Records Administration
MyCareer@VA, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Virtual Interns “Moove” Leaders Up! U.S. Department of Agriculture
New Markets Tax Credit Program, U.S. Department of the Treasury
The 2012 Bright Ideas address these and other challenges:
Preventing Crime Before It Happens and Reintegrating Offenders
Economic Development
Energizing our Nation’s Students
Environmental Protection & Conservation
Real-Time Data and Transparency
“Government innovation does not require endless resources and generous budgets,” said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in Government Program at the Ash Center. “As exemplified by this year’s Bright Ideas, some of our country’s smartest innovations can, in fact, reduce government’s size while serving our citizens more efficiently and effectively.”
Applications are accepted year-round for consideration as a Bright Idea. Programs must currently be in operation or in the process of launching and have sufficient operational resources. In addition, programs must be administered by one or more governmental entities. Nonprofit, private sector and union initiatives are eligible if operating in partnership with a governmental organization. More details on the 2012 Bright Ideas are available here.
Go here for a Govpro posting on a past Ash Center innovation awards list.
