“The nomination of two New York City initiatives – the Center for Economic Opportunity and NYC Service – for the Harvard Kennedy School's prestigious Innovation in American Government award reflects our commitment to pioneering approaches to society's most entrenched problems.  Even as we face difficult and deeply entrenched problems such as poverty, New York City is committed to finding innovative solutions and equally committed to evaluating and measuring outcomes.

“The programs of our finalist agencies, the Center for Economic Opportunity and NYC Service, have been replicated in cities across the country.  Their contribution to our city is far-reaching, and this recognition today justly deserved."

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University announced the Innovations in American Government Award finalists today.  Since the inception of the Awards program, nearly 500 government innovations across all jurisdiction levels have been recognized and have collectively received more than $20 million in grants to support dissemination efforts. Such models of good governance also inform research and academic study around key policy areas both at Harvard Kennedy School and academic institutions worldwide.  The winner will be announced in early 2012.

The following New York City initiatives were nominated by the Ash Center:

Center for Economic Opportunity

• The Center implements innovative anti-poverty programs and policy initiatives, analyzes their outcomes, and makes funding decisions based on program performance.  CEO programs are now being replicated in New York and cities nationwide through the federal Social Innovation Fund.

NYC Service

• NYC Service connects New Yorkers to service opportunities by overseeing 25 initiatives aimed at addressing the city’s most pressing challenges and measuring their impact. NYC Service drives volunteer resources to six impact areas where New York City’s needs are greatest: strengthening communities, helping neighbors in need, improving education, increasing public health, enhancing emergency preparedness and protecting our environment.

For more information on the Innovations in American Government Awards from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University please visit http://ashinstitute.harvard.edu.