No-cost pilot opportunities for local governments and communities

[The Leading Cities Team]

Dear John, I’m reaching out from Leading Cities, a US based non-profit that works with local governments and communities to lower the barriers to testing and adopting innovative, sustainable technologies. Since 2024, we've been offering vetted, no-cost pilot opportunities to US communities thanks to the support provided by the Clinton Global Initiative. These pilots are designed to let local governments test solutions in real operating conditions without procurement, licensing fees, or long-term commitments. There is absolutely no obligation to continue beyond the pilot period, and Leading Cities coordinates the process to keep the (limited) lift for staff extremely manageable. Below are five no-cost pilots now open for applications, which are due March 15th, 2026: 1. Multilingual virtual resident services (TownHAL by BizzTech) For City Clerks, Constituent Services, IT, and Communications staff Adds a 24/7, multilingual virtual assistant to any government website using existing public documents, policies, and approved content Operates within defined security and access controls, without requiring new data collection or changes to core systems Helps reduce routine call volume and in-person visits for common questions while tracking response time, inquiry deflection, and resident satisfaction during the pilot 2. Climate risk and resilience analysis (Sustainaccount) For Planning Directors, Sustainability Officers, Emergency Management, and Resilience staff Provides a data-driven assessment of climate risks such as flooding, heat, and extreme weather using existing data - no new systems, sensors, or infrastructure required  Highlights which neighborhoods or public assets face the highest exposure, helping prioritize focus areas Delivers clear, practical outputs that can be used for resilience planning, grant applications, and funding decisions 3. Rainwater capture and localized flood mitigation at public facilities (Gravity Water) For Public Works Directors, Facilities Managers, Stormwater Managers, and Sustainability staff Installs rainwater capture and reuse systems at public buildings (such as schools or community centers) Captures and stores rainfall during heavy storm events, helping reduce localized flooding and stormwater runoff around facilities Provides performance data so local governments can evaluate rainwater capture as a distributed flood mitigation and water reuse strategy for additional sites 4. Affordable housing data and listing platform (Housing Base) For Housing Directors, Community Development staff, Planning Departments, and Housing Authorities Centralizes affordable housing listings and inventory data in one public-facing platform Improves transparency and access for residents while reducing administrative burden Currently deployed in San Antonio, TX, supporting public housing listings and planning efforts 5. AI-assisted infrastructure inspection using existing imagery (Phyll) For Public Works Directors, Transportation Engineers, Asset Management, and Capital Planning staff Uses imagery from existing government assets, vehicles, and AI analysis to identify infrastructure issues Reduces time spent on manual inspections and supports maintenance prioritization Delivers asset-level insights and reports that can inform capital improvement planning What participation requires • A short, non-binding application • A designated project lead • Limited staff time during the pilot period (varies by solution) What communities and local governments receive • Full access to the solution for the duration of the pilot  • Data, reports, or dashboards summarizing results at no cost • No obligation to purchase or continue after the pilot Please note that local governments and communities can (and are encouraged to) apply for more than one pilot. View pilot details here: https://leadingcities.org/acceligov Apply for one or more pilots here: https://share.hsforms.com/15NdLwaqqQzyqs4loEwRfTw1zso9 If you’re unsure whether a pilot is a good fit for your organization or department, I’m happy to set up a virtual meeting between you, Leading Cities, and any of the solution providers. To do so, click HERE or email me directly at a.hal...@leadingcities.org.  Thank you for all you do for your community. Ava Halstead Leading Cities Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.