City Hall, NY – Today, Speaker Adrienne Adams and the New York City Council announced the winning proposals for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Participatory Budgeting cycle. During the voting period, which took place from March 29 through April 6, more than 93,000 New Yorkers voted to allocate $30 million in capital funding for local improvements to schools, parks, libraries, and other public spaces across 24 Council Districts in New York City. This year marks the 14th cycle of Participatory Budgeting by the City Council since it launched the initiative in 2011.

“Through Participatory Budgeting, New Yorkers across the city have contributed thoughtful ideas and projects to improve their neighborhoods, and the winning projects will be included in the upcoming city budget,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This process fosters greater civic engagement and empowers New Yorkers of all ages to be involved in the long-term success of their communities. I am grateful to my Council colleagues, the budget delegates who advanced funding proposals, and the over 93,000 New Yorkers who voted for their favorite projects!”

Participants voted online or submitted paper ballots to their local City Council offices. Of the votes cast for this cycle, 61% were from paper ballots, and the remaining 39% were from online votes. Ballots were made available in English and 13 additional languages. Voting in Participatory Budgeting is open to all residents of participating districts who are 11 years of age and older.

The Participatory Budgeting proposals on this year’s ballots were created by New Yorkers who attended neighborhood assemblies and budget delegate meetings throughout the fall and winter. All proposals are for capital budget projects, which are significant neighborhood infrastructure investments. They were crafted and refined in partnership with relevant city agencies and facilitated by participating Council Members’ offices.

For the FY 2026 cycle, 24 Council Members organized Participatory Budgeting in their districts. Below are the winning projects for each district:

District 1 – Council Member Christopher Marte

District 2 – Council Member Carlina Rivera

District 3 – Council Member Erik Bottcher

District 5 – Council Member Julie Menin

* Projects funded between CM Menin and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.

District 6 – Council Member Gale Brewer

District 7 – Council Member Shaun Abreu

District 8 – Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala

District 10 – Council Member Carmen De La Rosa

District 12 – Council Member Kevin Riley

District 14 – Council Member Pierina Sanchez

District 16 – Council Member Althea Stevens

District 18 – Majority Leader Amanda Farias

District 22 – Council Member Tiffany Caban

District 25 – Council Member Shekar Krishnan

District 26 – Council Member Julie Won

District 27 – Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams

District 28 – Speaker Adrienne Adams

District 29 – Council Member Lynn Schulman

District 34 – Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez

District 35 – Council Member Crystal Hudson

District 37 – Council Member Sandy Nurse

District 39 – Council Member Shahana Hanif

District 40 – Council Member Rita Joseph

District 45 – Council Member Farah Louis

To read more about the Council’s Participatory Budget initiative and past results, visit council.nyc.gov/PB.

“Originally, we set aside $1 million each for the South Bronx and East Harlem,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. “I am proud to share that we will allocate almost twice that amount, $3.9 million in total, to fund all project finalists. In East Harlem, they include: a sensory gym at P.S. 112, auditorium upgrades at Tito Puente Educational Center, restroom upgrades at the High School for Climate Justice, P.S. 96 electrical upgrades for cafeteria air conditioning, a sound system at Central Park East High School, and a security system at MS 224. In the South Bronx, we will fund restroom renovations at International Community High School, playground equipment at P.S. 30X Wilton, restroom renovations at P.S. 277, Mott Haven High School Technology Equipment, P.S. 65 and P.S. 49 HVAC, and a full bathroom renovation at P.S. 277.”

“Participatory Budgeting puts decision-making power directly in the hands of the people, and our District 18 community showed up in full force,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías. “More than 8,200 residents from Soundview to Westchester Square cast ballots to shape local investments. I’m proud to announce that, thanks to your votes, the Harding Park Community Garden will receive long-overdue upgrades. This is a major win for green space in the Bronx and a powerful example of what we can achieve when residents lead the way. Thank you to everyone who contributed, voted, and made their voices heard — this is people power in action.”

“Participatory budgeting is democracy in action. When our neighbors vote, they’re making direct decisions about the future of our community,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “This year’s winning projects are simple but meaningful — upgrades to school bathrooms, improvements at our local library — and they reflect what families in our district need most. I’m proud to support a process that puts real power in the hands of the people and delivers results that will make a difference in their day-to-day lives.”

“This year in my district, participatory budgeting focused on projects that will create a safer, healthier community,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “This means positively investing in our community: projects like school upgrades, public space programming, after-school programming, and more. Our office allocated $1 million in capital funding to be used for physical infrastructure projects and $50,000 in expense funding that will be given to non-profits for programming and events. 3,619 community members voted in Participatory Budgeting in my district this year, casting their ballots for a safer, healthier future.”

“Participatory Budgeting has bolstered civic engagement in our schools, with tangible benefits and an opportunity to engage with their communities in and out of school in a new way,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “This year, our students at the George Washington Educational Campus advocated for three winning projects in their school building: auditorium upgrades, bathroom upgrades, and a new student center where the students can interact across the various schools — using the full $1M for the betterment of future students and visitors.”

“I’m deeply proud that District 34 once again led the city in Participatory Budgeting votes,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “Year after year, my team and my community show up, speak up, and take the reins of local decision-making. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement, and it’s only getting stronger.”

“This Participatory Budgeting (PB) cycle was a remarkable success for District 39,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “Thanks to our incredible partnerships with schools in the district, including Brooklyn Collaborative Studies, Cyberarts Studio Academy, Millennium Brooklyn, John Jay School for Law, and Park Slope Collegiate, along with the tireless work of our community volunteers, PB Delegates, and Steering Committee members, we achieved the highest digital turnout in all of New York City, the second-highest overall turnout, and the highest turnout in the district’s 14-year PB history. As trust in government is declining and federal support for democracy initiatives is under threat, PB is a powerful, local tool of civic engagement. I’m deeply proud that so many in our community used this process to directly shape the future of our district.”

“Participatory Budgeting is an incredible opportunity for all New Yorkers age eleven and up, regardless of voter registration, to make their voices heard and help decide how $1 million of public funds are spent on projects that matter most in their neighborhoods,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “From start to finish, it’s a powerful way to connect with local communities and strengthen civic engagement, putting decisions around how and when investments are made into the hands of everyday New Yorkers. Thank you to the thousands of people who participated in this year’s Participatory Budgeting process for investing in their neighborhoods — not just for today, but for years to come.”

“We are proud that over 1,700 people in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, Queens participated in our third annual Participatory Budgeting cycle,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. “Our winning projects all focused on funding our schools – from student and teacher bathroom renovations in P.S. 89, library renovations in P.S. 152, and upgrading technology at P.S. 212 and new smart boards at P.S. 222. The results of our Participatory Budgeting cycle are clear: Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, Queens want to give teachers and students the tools they need to succeed.”

“I’m proud to mark the end of another successful participatory budgeting cycle in District 45,” said Council Member Farah Louis. “This process is about putting real decision-making power into the hands of the people who live here, and once again, our neighbors showed up and made their voices count. The winning projects speak volumes: safety cameras to protect our streets, new desks and furniture to support our students at P.S. 152, much-needed upgrades to the P.S. 181 auditorium, and improvements to a community garden that’s been a staple for so many in our community. These are real, tangible investments in the places and people that make our district home.”

“Participatory Budgeting is one of the best examples of what local democracy should look like,” said Council Member Christopher Marte. “It empowers residents to shape their own neighborhoods by deciding how public money is spent. This year, District 1 voters chose to invest in our youngest neighbors by fully funding a new, ADA-accessible playground at P.S. 124, and supporting sensory playground improvements at P.S. 042. They also prioritized green, open space and street safety by funding upgrades to the Barnett Newman Triangle and tree guards throughout the district. These are smart, community-driven investments that reflect the real needs and values of the people we serve.”

“I am proud of our community’s engagement and commitment to Participatory Budgeting, ranking first in votes for Manhattan for the third year in a row,” said Council Member Julie Menin. “Our community understands the power of their voice and has chosen to invest in projects that enhance our schools, protect our green spaces, and enrich the lives of students and families across the district. Participatory Budgeting empowers every resident to help shape the future of our district, leaving a legacy that is tangible and lasting. My heartfelt thanks to our schools, local nonprofits, civic leaders, and every community member who came together to ensure these funds go where they are most needed.”

“Participatory budgeting has been an exciting way for our community to engage with local government and gives neighbors the opportunity to turn ideas into real investments,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera. “From students to older adults, thousands of residents took part in this year’s cycle, helping to fund greener gardens, safer playgrounds, and improved schools. As the first Council Member to bring Participatory Budgeting to District 2, I’m proud of how our community came together around a civic engagement initiative that has gained momentum and results. I am grateful to everyone who voted, volunteered, and shared their vision for better neighborhoods.”

“For the fourth year in a row, the Northwest Bronx directly decided how to invest $1 million in city taxpayer funds in our neighborhood,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez. “With a 60% increase in votes from last year, I am proud and excited by our community’s decision to fund technology upgrades at Sedgwick Library and bathroom upgrades at P.S. 447. These winning projects were made possible thanks to the support of our local organizers — from parent leaders to student volunteers. Power lies with the people. Thank you to Speaker Adams for championing the participatory budgeting process and bringing the public into the heart of decision-making.”

“Participatory Budgeting is democracy in action, and I’m proud that the residents of Council District 29 came together to champion projects that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on our schools,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “Thanks to their voices, we’re investing $350,000 to renovate the gym at Richmond Hill High School, $350,000 to upgrade the auditorium at the High School for Construction, Trades, Engineering and Architecture, and $200,000 to create a state-of-the-art hydroponics lab at P.S. 66. This year, we received more votes than any previous year, a testament to our community’s growing engagement and commitment to shaping our neighborhood’s future. These projects will enhance learning environments, promote student wellness, and strengthen our public schools for years to come.”

“More than 3,600 residents in our district participated in this year’s Participatory Budgeting process, a clear sign that our community is engaged and taking an active role in shaping the future of District 27,” said Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams. “These projects reflect real priorities shared by our neighbors, and I’m proud of the way our district came together to secure meaningful investments in our schools and neighborhoods. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and be part of this work.”

“3,672 of our neighbors voted to fund Participatory Budgeting projects that address the need for school technology, flood management, fire safety, and tree protection in District 26,” said Council Member Julie Won. “We received almost 1,000 more votes than last year, thanks to the tireless work of our team, budget delegates, community partners, and volunteers. From idea collection to vote week, I was thrilled at the level of community engagement throughout the Participatory Budgeting process. I look forward to fully funding these projects and bringing much-needed improvements to our community.”

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