What is Participatory Budgeting?
Participatory Budgeting (PB) is grassroots democracy in action. Participatory Budgeting was first implemented in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1989 by the socialist Workers’ Party. The political party sought to bring its decentralized and democratic party into government and thus PB was born. Rather than budget details being decided in secret behind closed doors, PB allows everyday people to engage with their government and decide how their public dollars are spent. In New York City, our city government sets aside a portion of the budget that individuals Council Members can decide to use for PB. Every day people in those districts can submit ideas for projects they’d like to see, vote on their favorites, and ensure their priorities get funded by their public dollars. Cities around the world (from Barcelona to Seoul) engage in this form of direct democracy and budget justice, where government and people work together to allocate resources to community needs.
PB started in NYC right here in the 39th District as one of the first neighborhoods in the United States to engage in this form of direct democracy. Participatory Budgeting is also personal for Council Member Shahana Hanif, who led PB while working as the Director of Organizing and Community Engagement for the 39th. Council Members Hanif knows that PB is an important pathway to leadership for young people, and communities historically excluded from governing.
Voting in Participatory Budgeting Cycle 12 has ended – here are this year’s Participatory Budgeting winners!
- 100 Trees for District 39
- Family Resource Center at PS 12
- Rehabilitate the Bandshell Lawn
- Seed Funding for CHiPS Food Pantry Truck
- Repair Café
- A Tree Grows in Gowanus: Stewarding Urban Forest
Past Projects Examples
Here are some examples of past projects that you helped get funded!
1: Storytelling garden with micro-amphitheater at the Park Slope Library
2: Self-Defense Classes for young Muslim women and allies
3: New “Lake Mess Monster”, an aquatic weed harvester for Prospect Park!
