Participatory budgeting

What is participatory budgeting?

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a process used around the world to enable people to decide how money is spent in their community.

We’re using PB in Belfast to direct funding to where residents think it will make a difference. We want to give people a voice in funding decisions that affect them.

How does participatory budgeting work?

1. A public budget is identified to address a specific issue or local need.
2. Ideas on how to address that need are generated.
3. People vote for the projects and ideas they think will have the greatest impact.
4. The projects that get the most support get funded.
5. Once projects have been delivered, each project tells their community what they did and the difference it made.

Participatory budgeting project in Belfast

Working with partners, we have led a number of PB projects including ‘Take 5 steps to Wellbeing: Your Voice, Your Choice’, ‘Move More and Eat Well to Feel Better’ and ‘Bank of Ideas’ enabling thousands of people to have a direct say on how money is allocated in their area. 

You can find out more about PB (link opens in new window) and current opportunities to get involved.