In 2012, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue service ran a PB programme which distributed around £20,000 in three communities. The evaluation report stated: The aim of the activity was to carry out a series of PB pilots to see what the processes would offer a FRS as an engagement technique that could help improve… Read More
News
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue PB evaluation, November 2012
Video: democracy in action, from Chicago
Participatory budgeting allows ordinary people to decide how their municipal budget is spent. Many cities around the world employ this process. in 2009, Chicago’s 49th Ward was the first municipality in the US to embrace this novel experiment in direct democracy: regular citizens gathered to research and develop proposals on how to spend the Ward’s… Read More
Blogs on Participatory Budgeting and possibilities for deepening democracy
An interesting blog post from Steven Corbett of the University of Sheffield, proposing that (despite some signs of success) in order to bring a real transformation PB processes will need to develop a deeper deliberative and empowering approach than that currently practised in the UK. Toby Blume has also been blogging on Participatory Budgeting, and… Read More
Re-inventing democracy through Participatory Budgeting
http://vimeo.com/65169312 A new video from the USA, produced by the PB Project, introducing the concept of PB.
Participatory Budgeting really Is participatory in New York
A study of the participatory budgeting process that took place in Brooklyn’s District 39 this year revealed that it attracted traditionally disengaged or disadvantaged citizens. Read more on the Brownstoner website
Podcast from the Young Foundation: The People’s Budget – US insights
The People’s Budget – US insights as an opportunity for British action Date: 24 April 2013 Time: 13.00 – 14.00 Venue: The Young Foundation, 18 Victoria Park Square, London E2 9PF Grounded in the idea of devolving power amongst communities, participatory budgeting (PB) means directly involving local people in making decisions on the spending and priorities for a… Read More
PB exchange visit, 22-24 April 2013: US insights as an opportunity for British action
This series of public and private events was a unique opportunity for policy makers and politicians in England and Scotland to develop a deeper awareness, interest and commitment to citizen participation in mainstream budgeting, and learn about the exciting new approaches being tried in the USA. Across the world, including in the UK and the… Read More
Help us make the PB Network strong!
"Your chance to contribute…" The PB Network was set up in late 2012 by the organisations and individuals who are passionately committed to PB – YOU! We elected a small steering group to keep things ticking over between the national gatherings, and we have produced our first national newsletter to let you know the full range… Read More
PB in Chicago
Go to the website of Alderman Joe Moore, of the 49th Ward in Chicago, to learn about his work on Participatory Budgeting. Alderman Moore provides $1m dollars in funding annually for residents to decide on capital projects.
Video: direct democracy comes to Harlem
Last October, New York City residents took part in a historic new experiment in direct democracy. Over a six-month period, ordinary citizens young and old were given the unusual power to decide how millions of their city districts’ budgets were spent. We follow two newcomers to civic engagement — Stefan Poaches, a 27-year-old assistant college… Read More