2023 Ideas Challenge

The Ideas Challenge is a biennial policy competition open to NewDEAL Leaders, accepting policy submissions at any stage, from ideas to fully implemented policies. Leaders may submit more than one idea. These ideas are rated by a panel of judges based on potential and/or actual impact and inventiveness. For our sixth Ideas Challenge, we aim to highlight policies that demonstrate how government can work effectively to solve problems and deliver results on the biggest issues facing your communities.

Meet the winners and finalists and browse all submissions below and be sure to watch our video recapping with winning ideas. Find the full winners’ feature in GOVERNING Magazine.

2023 Ideas Challenge Winners

2023 Ideas Challenge Finalists

More about the 2023 Ideas Challenge

The biennial Ideas Challenge is a contest for NewDEAL Leaders to share innovative policies, from ideas just in planning to policies already under implementation. The Challenge provides the NewDEAL with an opportunity to recognize some of the most extraordinary and innovative work the members of our network are doing, and to continue to help what works spread. See our Ideas page to browse past winners, finalists, and submissions.

NewDEALers can submit a policy in any stage of the process, from an initial concept to a policy that’s already been implemented. Leaders are welcome to submit more than one idea on any issue, and we encourage submissions covering a broad range of topics.

Challenge entries are evaluated by a panel of expert judges judged based on how well they accomplish one or more of the following goals:

  • Lower costs for families with ideas to address the rising cost of living
  • Protect democracy and foster community engagement by promoting election integrity, voter participation, and civic engagement
  • Promote equity and target underserved communities with that lift up and empower historically marginalized communities
  • Successfully use data and measure results by utilizing best practices for data-informed programs
  • Make effective use of federal funds with ideas that use different funding streams to maximize their impact

Ideas are rated by a panel of judges based on potential and/or actual impact and inventiveness. The 2023 judging panel features Kate Burns, Executive Director of MetroLab Network; Frank DiGiammarino, Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton; Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER); Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO at Chicago Urban League; Patrick Gaspard, President and CEO at Center for American Progress; the Honorable Ann McLane Kuster, U.S. Representative (NH-2) and Chair of the New Democrat Coalition; Andi Phillips, Cofounder and Managing Partner at Maycomb Captial; and Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, Present and CEO at Accelerator for America.