City of Columbia to participate in “Ideas for Change” initiative in partnership with Change.org

In partnership with Change.org (the world’s leading platform for social change), the City of Columbia is participating in a new initiative called “Ideas for Change” through which we will identify creative, community-driven solutions to local challenges.

From now until early February, all residents of Columbia will have the opportunity to share their ideas for positive change in our city and respond to their neighbors’ suggestions at the Ideas for Change website. Shortly afterwards, Change.org will identify the most important topics from this set and assemble a group of residents from all over the city to help develop them into actionable proposals. The Mayor has committed to reviewing the proposals that emerge from this process to see how the city might support them.

“We know real change starts with a conversation, and ‘Ideas for Change’ provides a modern platform for Columbians to practice the kind of constructive dialogue that moves us forward,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “This partnership with Change.org isn’t just about sharing suggestions; it’s about neighbors building on each other’s ideas to solve local problems – our problems. I look forward to seeing our community come together to turn shared aspirations into tangible ideas for the Capital City.”

Duncan Lockard, Head of Strategy at Change.org, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in this process. He notes: “Change.org will host an online space where Columbians can not only share their own ideas on what would be good for the city, but support and build on others’ ideas as well. We will continue to work closely with the Mayor’s office to make sure everyone in Columbia has an opportunity to contribute, regardless of neighborhood or background.”

Committed community leaders from the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods, Columbia World Affairs Council, Central Carolina Community Foundation, and others have offered their support of this initiative. The ideas currently on the website are informed both by their work and existing city initiatives; these are meant to inspire all residents to share their own ideas and perspectives.

You can visit the website and offer your ideas today, or vote on the ideas that have already been submitted: www.ideasforchange.org/columbia

If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected].