Participatory Budgeting

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a process that allows for and involves local people participating in the decision making around the spending and the priorities of a defined public budget within a defined area.

Participatory Budgeting all started in Brazil in the late 1980’s and from these early stages of it happening it developed into the wider areas within South America, into North America and into Europe.

Throughout Britain PB as a process is taking place and in some communities it appears to be done better than in others and becoming an annual event within their community’s event calendars. Apart from the obvious benefit that successful projects/initiatives brought about by PB, the process brings with it other naturally occurring benefits in the social capital within these communities that undergo or involved in Participatory Budgeting.

Sounds simple enough, where’s the catch…!? People and money, need we say more!?

In principle the process ought to be straight forward, and it often is. However, in reality one size doesn’t fit all and the same process won’t necessarily work everywhere. To a large extent, it depends on how the process is managed and handled, communication being. We’ve said it before, whose doing what, for who, why and how?

For the answer to that question, don’t hesitate to speak to Community Acorns. We can provide you with further information, support and if you wish help you to run and facilitate a Participatory Budgeting process in your community.