BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, April 1, 2026) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott launched of the Community Action Lab, a new hands-on leadership and community development initiative designed to equip Baltimore City residents, small business owners, and community partners with the tools to drive neighborhood revitalization and advance public safety across Baltimore.
The Community Action Lab is a partnership between the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore City Innovation Team (i-Team) as part of the City's Neighborhood Public Safety Plan (formerly Neighborhood Policing Plan) work. Informed by insights from the University of Baltimore, the Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC), and SafeGrowth ®, the next phase of this work is focused on emphasizing capacity-building and equipping residents with the tools to help transform their own communities. Together, the partners will support engaged residents and emerging leaders - beginning in Baltimore's Northern District - through a paid, twelve-week leadership opportunity focused on building practical skills in community development, violence prevention, environmental design, and neighborhood improvement, equipping participants to lead sustainable, community-driven solutions in their neighborhoods.
"Baltimore's historic public safety progress- with homicides and nonfatal shootings falling nearly 60% over the last five years- is the direct result of our entire city coming together to invest in community-led, data-backed solutions," said Mayor Scott. "With this initiative, we're once again calling on residents to work with us and help drive public safety in their neighborhoods. The Community Action Lab is about equipping folks with the tools they need to make real, lasting change. I encourage residents to take advantage of this incredible opportunity."
The Community Action Lab is a 12-week, paid, in-person leadership course designed for:
Participants will gain hands-on experience and practical skills in:
Participants will also have the opportunity to design and implement grant-funded neighborhood improvement projects in their communities. Sessions will take place from May 18, 2026, through August 7, 2026.
"Public safety is strongest when it is built on real partnership with the community," said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. "Our members continue to build upon the momentum in reducing crime, while strengthening relationships in the communities we serve. The Community Action Lab builds upon this work by empowering residents with the tools, knowledge, and support in shaping safer neighborhoods. By working alongside our partners and community leaders, we are investing in sustainable solutions and providing resources that help drive change and build safer, more resilient communities."
"We're excited to work with our neighbors, BPD, and the i-Team around the next phase of the City's Neighborhood Public Safety Plan work," said MONSE Director Stefanie Mavronis. "We know the best solutions are often driven by those closest to the problem. To build long-term safety, we must center the perspectives and priorities of those who live in the community in the co-production of public safety."
The Community Action Lab is grounded in five core principles:
"Grassroots efforts to strengthen Baltimore's communities deserve meaningful investment. The i-Team looks forward to seeing how this administration's commitment to community stewardship and public safety supports local leaders participating in the Community Action Lab. We're proud to collaborate with partner city agencies to bring this opportunity to life for residents across Baltimore," said Zain Islam-Hashmi, Lead Civic Designer with the Baltimore City i-Team.
The City of Baltimore is investing $81,000 in dedicated funding to support stipends, technical assistance, and grant-funded neighborhood improvement projects through the Community Action Lab. 80% of those funds go directly to community efforts.
Residents in the Northern District interested in participating in the Community Action Lab should apply online. Applications are currently open until May 3, 2026, at 11:59pm.
The City will host a series of information sessions to review program structure, eligibility, benefits, and funded project opportunities. Residents are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about the program. Sessions will be held virtually at 5:30pm on April 7th and April 29th.
The City's goal is to expand this opportunity to additional BPD Districts after this initial 12-week period.