NPWW 2025
May 18–24, 2025
This year’s theme, “People, Purpose, Presence,” highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities every day. Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Many times, public works professionals will never meet those whose lives have been impacted because when things are going right, no one knows that public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, public works is ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all.
About NPWW
National Public Works Week (NPWW) has ballooned in reach and impact across the decades. The number of participating municipalities continues to grow, which means the number of citizens educated on the importance and nature of public works grows. Across North America, APWA’s more than 32,000 members in the US and Canada use this week to raise awareness about the importance and criticality of public works in our daily lives: planning, building, managing and operating at the heart of their local communities to improve everyday quality of life.
Since 1960, APWA has sponsored NPWW the third week of May. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation describing public works as vitally important to our national health and welfare and praising the dedicated efforts of public works professionals. Further, “it is in the public interest for the citizens and civic leaders of this country to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest in the public works needs and programs of their respective communities,” the proclamation reads.
APWA encourages public works agencies and professionals to amplify their stories in their communities this NPWW by using our how-to guide and downloadable assets. The sentiments of JFK’s 1962 proclamation ring as true today as they did then. In fact, the occasion of NPWW continues to be marked each year with scores of resolutions and proclamations from mayors and governors.
Make 2025 the year that you take time to be the ambassador that public works needs to raise awareness and support for the essential work we do.