The National Civic League has recently named Carrboro as one of this year's 20 finalists in the running for the 2025 All-America City Award, as initially reported by the town's official website. This coveted accolade celebrates the efforts of cities that exemplify outstanding civic achievements, particularly those that reinforce democracy through proactive local efforts and ingenuity.
"Communities thrive when all residents have a voice in the policies and decisions to actively shape their lives,” said Doug Linkhart, president of the National Civic League, in a statement obtained by the Town of Carrboro. "This year’s finalists are leading the way by removing barriers to participation and implementing programs that foster sustainability, resilience, and inclusive engagement."
Patrice Toney, Town Manager of Carrboro, expressed gratitude for the Town of Carrboro's recognition. In an official announcement, Toney mentioned, "We are honored to be recognized as a finalist for the All-America City Award.” Toney further emphasized that Carrboro's inclusion among the finalists underscores the town's dedication to bolstering environmental sustainability, and notably, employing inclusive community engagement to create lasting, impactful solutions.
The group of finalist communities, which span across 12 states and range from populations of 11,000 to nearly one million, all share a common commitment to empowering residents, fostering civic engagement, and ensuring meaningful participation in local governance. The objective these communities strive to achieve is not merely to recognize their achievements but to also inspire others to engage deeply in their own local contexts.
The 2025 theme for the All-America City Award is centered around "Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement". The rigorous selection process required finalists to pass through a competitive review, overseen by an independent panel of judges, using criteria that focussed on a shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact. Each participating community applied showcasing initiatives that leverage civic capital for problem-solving and resilience. The contenders will next convene in Denver from June 27-29 for the All-America City Award Event, where they will present their success stories and the impacts of their community-driven programs. A jury will then select 10 winners, which will be revealed during the award ceremony's culmination, as per the Town of Carrboro.
