Knowledge
Participatory budgeting
Participatory budgeting lets residents help decide how a set portion of the municipal budget is spent.
In participatory budgeting a municipality opens part of its budget for debate: residents propose projects, discuss them and vote. The administration checks feasibility and the council makes the final decision — transparently traceable for everyone.
The aim is more transparency about municipal finances and stronger identification with the community. Participatory budgeting exists in many cities worldwide; the best-known early example began in 1989 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
A typical process
- Information: the municipality discloses the available budget.
- Proposals: residents submit project ideas.
- Discussion & vote: proposals are weighted and prioritised.
- Delivery & accountability: the administration implements and reports back.
With MyIdeas, participatory budgeting runs online: collect ideas, vote, and use the public roadmap to show what becomes of every proposal.
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