Participatory Budgeting

“Having participated in several of the I-70 meetings, I got to see firsthand how community input really just meant show up, complain, and we’re going to do the opposite of what you’re asking,” says one Denver councilmember.

May 4, 2021 - Next City

The "Your Voice Your Choice" program of participatory funding is in its second year in Seattle.

September 5, 2018 - The Urbanist

A new report from Public Agenda tracks the spread of participatory budgeting, and provides guidance for implementing such processes for maximum benefit to public engagement.

July 20, 2016 - Governing

Since 1990, around half of Brazil's largest cities have adopted participatory budgeting. A new study finds the experiment has had positive impacts on health and quality of life. With more countries adopting the practice, the results are encouraging.

January 27, 2014 - The Washington Post

Participatory budgeting (PB) has been tried on a limited local level in several cities across the United States. A new White House initiative indicates the practice may become a common way of determining how to distribute certain federal funds.

December 14, 2013 - Next City

Five years after Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood pioneered participatory budgeting in the United States, the bottom-up budgeting practice is gaining adherents across the country. Can Rogers Park's experiment find success citywide?

November 12, 2013 - Next City

Bill Fulton and Chris Haller look at Denver's recent efforts to involve its residents in helping to solve next years anticipated $94 million budget gap.

April 28, 2012 - Engaging Cities

Tom DiChristopher reports on a pioneering project in New York City that gives the residents of four City Council districts a direct vote on how to allocate municipal funds.

March 2, 2012 - City Limits