Maybole in South Ayrshire is the latest Scottish community to experience PB. And it was reported to be another full house. People from across North Carrick voted with their feet on how best to spend funding in their local community. South Ayrshire’s first ‘decision day’ was held in Maybole on Sat 7th May 2016 to… Read More
Scotland
What’s happening in Participatory Budgeting across Scotland
Aberdeen youth spend £100,000 to improve their lives
As recently reported in the Aberdeen evening express: "Thousands of pounds have been handed out to Aberdeen community groups after a Dragons’ Den-style event. Aberdeen City Council had allocated £100,000 as part of its participatory budgeting process to fund new youth projects and initiatives across the regeneration areas of the city." The PB Scotland website gives… Read More
Scotland sets the pace, with a target of 1% of local government spending via PB
The SNP is setting the pace in Scottish politics and amongst the many pledges in its 2016 manifesto is a target of at least 1% of all local government spending being decided through ‘Community Choices’, the brand name of Scottish PB. Over the last year or two UK PB Network members has been excited to… Read More
Glasgow residents decide on over £200,000 across the city.
The Glasgow Evening Times reports a boost for local groups is helping to provide everything from inflatable gymnastics equipment to woodworking workshops. More than £200,000 went to fantastic projects across the city. Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Community Planning Partnership asked people in all 21 of the city’s Area Partnerships to put forward proposals for… Read More
North Ayrshire residents as young as 8 years have their say
Your money, you decide – the 3 Towns on the 21st May 2016 is the date of the next voting event in North Ayrshire, where residents will choose how to spend £19,000 in their community? Local people and groups can bid for up to £700. Shortlisted projects will be pitching their ideas in order to win… Read More
Edinburgh South Central Decides on over £200,000 of public money
On Saturday 30th April 2016 the Edinburgh South Central Neighbourhood Partnership had over £200,000 worth of funding available for distribution in 2016/17 and residents of South Centre Voiced their Choice and decided which projects got funded. Local people had some hard choices to make but have decided which was their favourites. The money was for community grants,… Read More
Scottish Government starts 2016 with boost for Participatory Budgeting
A recently released statement by the Scottish Government indicates a significant boost to Participatory Budgeting (PB). This follows a commitment in the Programme for Government announced by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland to expand Participatory Budgeting activity north of the border. Now Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi has announced more communities will be able… Read More
Video address by Alex Neil MSP to 2015 PB Network Unconference
Video address to the conference by Alex Neil MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights. View report on the 2015 PB Network Unconference
New Participatory Budgeting website for Scotland launched
A new website for participatory budgeting in Scotland launches this month. PB Scotland is for sharing and learning about the great work being done by participatory budgeting (PB) initiatives around Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government, the website will provide updates on events, policy and resources relevant to PB in Scotland, and profile good examples… Read More
Highland Youth embrace online PB big time
A HIGHLAND Council appeal for Lochaber people to vote for the youth projects they wanted to receive a share of a £10,000 cash pot brought an overwhelming response from local folk. The exercise was part of a pilot project run by Highland Council to test how PB can reach young people in remote locations online…. Read More