Alliance for Innovation

The Innovation Groups (IG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and Arizona State University (ASU) have formed a unique partnership--the Alliance for Innovation in Local Government. The Alliance was officially launched with the first board meeting on October 13-14, 2006, in Yuma, Arizona.

Formation of the Alliance for Innovation began in earnest two years ago when the boards of IG and ICMA appointed a task force to bring this long discussed effort to a successful conclusion. Arizona State University joined the Alliance for Innovation following an extensive proposal and search effort on the part of IG and ICMA staff. ICMA is the preeminent local government professional and educational organization, comprising nearly 8,000 chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in cities, towns, counties, and regional entities throughout the world. The Innovation Groups assists nearly 400 local governments in building and sustaining the capacity to be innovative by providing face-to-face networking opportunities and technology services in all areas of local government. Both organizations recognized the need for university collaboration in research and technical assistance, and ASU’s School of Public Affairs was selected as the partner because of its national and international reputation in the field of urban management innovation.

The board composed of representatives appointed by ICMA and ASU together with continuing members of the IG board approved a tentative vision and purpose statement to guide initial work of the Alliance for Innovation:

Vision
The world’s premier force for innovation on local governance

Purpose Statement
Transforming local governance through discovery and application of leading ideas and practices to better serve citizens and their communities.

Alliance Links