Participatory Budgeting
Description
Participatory budgeting is a tool that can be used to engage people in making decisions about how local budgets are spent.
How it works
There are many different ways of using participatory budgeting in local situations. Local people are invited to make decisions on priorities, services and budgets in their local area. This can be done on a formal, regular basis. For example local people could be involved in neighbourhood committees, which develop proposals for budget allocations and projects. Or, it can be more informal. You could hold a local event open to anyone, and ask people to make decisions about funding.
Potential uses
Participatory budgeting is a way of involving communities in service planning and delivery in local services.
Resources required
The development of participatory budgeting requires:
• Staff time
• Venue
• Awareness raising/promotion
Further information
IDEA have produced online guidance on participatory budgeting. The UK Government also has a Participatory Budgeting Unit.
