What is Participatory Budgeting?
Through Participatory Budgeting (PB), anyone living in the district who is 11 or older can vote to decide how to spend $1,000,000 of your Council Member’s budget!
Anyone can submit ideas for PB projects on this website. For projects to be eligible, they must:
- Cost over $50,000 and less than $1,000,000 (they usually cost between $200,000-$400,000)
- Be a capital project, not an expense project (i.e., the project must be physical infrastructure, since funds cannot be used to cover operational costs such as payroll)
- Have a lifespan of at least 5 years (3 years for technological upgrades)
- Support/improve public spaces such as schools, libraries, parks, public housing, and streets/sidewalks
Participatory Budgeting Timeline
Idea Collection and Volunteer Recruitment (October-November)
Through community meetings, residents brainstorm ideas, recruit Budget Delegates for the current cycle, and submit their project proposals.
Proposal Development (November-February)
Budget Delegates transform ideas into full proposals, with support from city agencies and staff. Delegates narrow down proposals and select projects that meet the needs of the community.
GOTV and Vote Week (April)
Once proposals have been determined, Budget Delegates and residents get out the vote and prepare for a nine-day community vote. Voting occurs in-person and online.
Evaluation and Planning (May-June)
Winning projects are included in New York City’s upcoming fiscal year budget. Staff and stakeholders evaluate the process and oversee the implementation of winning projects by agencies.
Previous PB Projects
Chelsea Recreational Center Teen Multi-Media Center ($350,000)
Project would install a multi-media space geared towards teens in the recreation center, complete with recording studio.
Chair Lift at P.S. 212/Professional Performing Arts High School ($250,000)
Project would add wheelchair accessibility to P.S. 212/Professional Performing Arts School auditorium to assist seniors and people with disabilities.
Air Conditioning at P.S. 11 Auditorium ($450,000)
Project will install HVAC system in school auditorium which houses performances and events open to the community and daily school programming.
How Can I Get Involved?
Serve as a Budget Delegate
Budget Delegates make the real work of PB possible. Budget Delegates meet regularly in the fall and winter to discuss their community’s needs, evaluate project feasibility and work with City agencies and staff to develop proposals for their district’s ballot.
Join Your District Committee
Participating Council Districts convene a District Committee that meets throughout the year to assist with implementation and planning of the process.
Volunteer as a Poll Worker
Poll Workers help coordinate and operate vote sites during Vote Week. After receiving a training on voting rules and procedures, they assist across their district.
To volunteer for the PB Process for Council District 3, email Nicole Barth at NBarth@council.nyc.gov