Steps to Participatory budgeting
The principles are the same regardless of whether you’re running a large or small event or an online process
Form a steering group
Bring together local interested parties to form a steering group that will co-ordinate your PB process. Think about getting a good mix of people on your group, who are representative of your community, or the theme you are addressing – e.g. consider different ages, genders, ethnic groups etc.
Give your participatory project a name
Name your event or process by calling it something that will make sense to the community you are running it in or the thematic group. Examples of this are Community Chest, Our Voice - but get creative!
Everyone in the group should have an important and active role
Make sure everyone feels valued and involved, without being overworked.
Create a timeline
Make sure everyone is on the same page! You will need to find a great location for the event, set the event date and proposal submission deadline and start outreach.
Do outreach
The most important aspect of participatory budgeting is people! Everyone on the steering group should encourage their friends, family, neighbors, business partners and everyone in the community to get involved and attend the voting event. Print flyers, create an online presence, make presentations at community events—do everything to spread the word on how to submit a proposal and to get people to attend the voting event.
Plan the voting event
The most important moment for most people will be when ideas are shared and the community (whether geographic or of interest) gets a chance to vote on what projects should receive funding on a Decision Day or through an online process.
The event
The event should be family friendly, fun and community focused.
It should acknowledge the good work of the community and celebrate the work that goes on in the area.
Debrief and grow
After the event it’s important for the steering group to gather feedback and to meet as a group to debrief the event. From the discussion, create a to-do list to continue things that are going well and improve on any issues raised. To be more successful participatory budgeting should occur regularly. The steering group should establish a model that works for them in their community.