Bloomberg Philanthropies has launched a $42 million program to help 100 mid-sized cities to better use data and evidence.

The What Works Cities initiative is open to U.S. cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million people. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s charitable foundation announced the launch Monday.

The program will provide mayors with technical assistance, expertise and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to help solve problems and improve services.

In New York City, open data from transit agencies has been used create apps to help residents get around town or choose where to live.

Bloomberg says cities have access to more data than ever and are using it to improve people’s lives. He says he wants to help cities find answers to what works.

(AP)