Selected by former mayors from a pool of over 200 applicants, Boston was awarded first place in the 2015 City Livability Awards Program at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 83rd annual meeting in San Francisco.
The award recognized mayoral leadership in developing and implementing programs that improve the quality of life in American cities, focusing on leadership, creativity and innovation demonstrated by mayors.
Sponsored by the Conference of Mayors and Waste Management, Inc., The nation’s largest environmental solutions provider. This is the 36th year in which cities have competed for the award.
Boston was recognized for its Youth Lead the Change Program which aims to create a foundation of trust and collaboration between city officials and the youth in surrounding communities.
Over 1,500 youth participated in the 2014 program and seven projects were funded. This year the number of participants grew to 2,500 and voted on how funding should be allocated using $1 million of the city’s budget.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the City of Boston,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a press release. “We’re involving our youngest and brightest residents in local government and empowering them to make positive changes in their neighborhoods. I am proud we were able to challenge young people to think critically about how to spend taxpayer dollars in a way that better serves the people. This fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability and they walk away knowing their voices matter.”
Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina whose district includes the North End/Waterfront community told the Review, “The Youth Lead the Change Program provides a great way for Boston youth by creating real opportunities for youth participation in city government.”