[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_author title=”Publisher: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society” author_id=”Publisher: Benton Institute for Broadband & Society”][cs_text]Local governments are leading the way to implement innovative, forward-looking civic technology programs that narrow the digital divide and make cities more livable. But for all the impressive initiatives out there, many brilliant ideas never get off the ground for lack of resources. So last year, with support from the Democracy Fund and Benton Foundation, Next Century Cities launched the Charles Benton Next Generation Engagement Award. The competitive civic innovation prize invited cities to propose out-of-the-box solutions to local challenges.[/cs_text][x_button size=”global” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://www.benton.org/blog/showcasing-inaugural-charles-benton-next-generation-engagement-award-winners” title=”” target=”blank” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]Read More[/x_button][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]