Archon Fung of Harvard University is one of the leading academics in the field of participatory democracy, and in a newly published article doesn’t pull his punches, calling many participatory programmes running worldwide PB-Lite… a form of decaffeinated politics, that are missing some essential ingredients. Fung believes "Social justice receded from the agenda of participatory… Read More
Resources
Learning about Participatory Budgeting through best practice
Participatory democracy video explores the power of active citizens worldwide
Open Society Foundations supports Goal 16 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which could enable citizens to create more a inclusive society through participatory democracy. In this short video they explore why participatory democracy matters, and how participatory budgeting fits into the story. Exploring PB initiatives around the USA, from Boston Youth lead the change… Read More
Introductory Guide to Participatory Budgeting published by the PB Network
The PB Network has commissioned a guide to Participatory Budgeting in the UK. Funded by donations from consultancy work done by PB Partners, and written by leading experts on PB in the UK. Our 20 page A5 booklet and online PDF covers all the basic information you need to understand how PB contributes towards the… Read More
Miles Platting groups get a share of £25,000
£25k worth of funding from Adactus Housing Association will be split between nine community groups operating in Miles Platting, East Manchester. The groups offer a wide cross section of activities, events and equipment that local East Manchester residents will benefit from. 16 groups originally applied for and after a voting process where Adactus Housing Association… Read More
Democracy has become the political version of kale, almost everyone says its good, but few want to eat it
In a new blog entitled ‘let them eat kale’ by Peter Bryant, PB Partners associate and head of community engagement at Our Life, he argues that DevoManc is an excellent opportunity to practise devolved democracy. In a memorable quote by Josh Lerner, director of the North American PB Project: "democracy has become the political version… Read More
Iceland adopts participatory democracy over austerity as its solution to the banking crisis… and it works
Iceland was one of the worst hit countries of the international banking crisis of 2008, with many of its major banks bankrupted. Since then, whilst going through some hard times it has been recognised as bouncing back. Participatory democracy, including forms of participatory budgeting, has been at the core of its strategy to re-engage citizens… Read More
Another City is possible! Alternatives to the city as a commodity.
Yves Cabannes and Cecilia Delgado published Another City is possible! Alternatives to the city as a commodity. Their central argument is that "PB is the practice that connects best with other alternatives to radically transform the way cities are ill produced and achieve systemic changes. PB seems the most promising avenue that leads to “another… Read More
Contribution of Participatory Budgeting to provision and management of basic services: Municipal practices and evidence from the field
A report from Participatory Budgeting expert Yves Cabannes, emeritus professor of Urban Planning at University College London, explores the contribution made by PB to the service provision of cities and local authorities. Published by the International Institute of Environment and Development, the reports abstract says: "Over 1,700 local governments in more than 40 countries are… Read More
Fund My Community: $1m dollar online PB launched by Government of South Australia
The Government of South Australia has launched a $1m online programme called ‘Fund My Community‘. That’s Australian dollars so about £500,000. The initiative is part of its ‘Your Say’ programme, and they have created a video to help promote the idea. Through Fund My Community, the Government of South Australian is using participatory budgeting to… Read More
Improvement Service publishes briefing on participatory budgeting for elected members
With editorial support from PB Partners a new resource for elected members on the opportunities brought by participatory budgeting(PB) has been published by the Scotland based Improvement Service. The Improvement Service (IS) developed an Elected Members Briefing Series to help elected members keep pace with key issues affecting local government. New ideas for more develoved commissioning… Read More