Living Labs Global Commits to Improving Urban and Social Technologies in 30 Cities Around the World at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Living Labs Global, a non-profit geared towards innovation and knowledge-sharing in urban environments, today announced its commitment to implement high impact urban and social technologies in 30 cities worldwide. The Commitment to Action, announced at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting, will help cities directly enhance the quality of life of their citizens by improving the efficiency, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of urban services.

Living Labs Global works to accelerate the diffusion of proven technologies across cities by connecting the solutions developed by innovators with the decision makers that procure and regulate technologies in cities. Its goal is to open markets to innovators and supplying intelligence for cities so governments invest less money to greater societal effect.

"Living Labs Global is transforming how cities share their innovations and experiences to improve the lives of citizens worldwide. To date, we have impacted millions of lives" said Sascha Haselmayer, co-founder of Living Labs Global. "Our one-of-a-kind program will improve accountability among city governments and help ensure that citizens are receiving the best possible services from their governments."

Over 557,000 local governments worldwide spend $4.5 trillion yearly to deliver services to their citizens. Cities often re-inventing technologies resulting in projects costing 20 times more than needed. Living Labs Global helps cities discover innovative solutions meaning solutions reach citizens 3 times faster and cities save more than 95% on the costs incurred in reinventing already existing services and technologies.

Living Labs Global together with Citymart.com work to improve local governments' accountability and help cities put citizens' needs at the center of procurement processes. Using a standard process, cities, before making final investment decisions, articulate their challenges, are connected with globally available solutions, and engage all stakeholders through real-life pilots in their communities.

In times of budget cuts, Living Labs Global helps cities and technology providers accelerate the adoption of new solutions at a fraction of the cost so that local governments can spend less to achieve more.

About Living Labs Global

Living Labs Global and Citymart.com work with cities, companies and research centers worldwide with a mission to open the market for service innovation in cities. Visit www.llga.org, Twitter @livinglabsaward. Our latest pilot llga.org/pilot.php?idPilot=5

About the Clinton Global Initiative Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, which have already improved the lives of 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion.

SOURCE Living Labs Global