Participatory Budgeting Catching on in the U.S. and Canada

An article in Governing shares news of a report from Public Agenda examining the spread of participatory budgeting (PB). According to the article, "[i]n the United States and Canada, PB has grown from two processes in two cities to 63 processes in 22 cities. Last year alone, more than 70,000 people voted in a PB process, deciding how to spend nearly $50 million."

The report, titled "Public Spending, by the People," includes findings on the growth of participatory budgeting, in addition to "[providing] guidance to local officials looking to make the most of PB in their communities" and "[describing] encouraging findings related to PB's success in boosting engagement among traditionally disenfranchised communities."