A new report from Public Agenda tracks the spread of participatory budgeting, and provides guidance for implementing such processes for maximum benefit to public engagement.
An article in Governing shares news of a report from Public Agenda examining the spread of participatory budgeting (PB). According to the article, "[i]n the United States and Canada, PB has grown from two processes in two cities to 63 processes in 22 cities. Last year alone, more than 70,000 people voted in a PB process, deciding how to spend nearly $50 million."
The report, titled "Public Spending, by the People," includes findings on the growth of participatory budgeting, in addition to "[providing] guidance to local officials looking to make the most of PB in their communities" and "[describing] encouraging findings related to PB's success in boosting engagement among traditionally disenfranchised communities."
FULL STORY: Participatory Budgeting’s Promise for Democracy
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research