What is Participatory Budgeting?

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process that allows community members to directly shape how a portion of public funds is spent. Residents propose ideas, help develop project plans, and vote on which projects should receive funding.

Participatory budgeting usually follows several key steps:

• Idea Collection: Community members submit suggestions for local improvements or community developments.

• Proposal Development: Volunteers and staff turn ideas into feasible project proposals.

• Community Voting: Residents vote on the projects they want funded.

• Implementation: The local government carries out the winning projects.

PB is used by cities, school districts, and community organizations to increase transparency, build trust, and give residents meaningful influence over local priorities. Common projects include park upgrades, street improvements, public art, safety initiatives, or school resources.

Participatory budgeting is a powerful tool for community engagement, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods where residents may feel disconnected from decision-making.