What does participatory budgeting involve?

Participatory budgeting involves allowing citizens to influence how funds are allocated. This approach empowers community members to understand their local government’s budgetary decisions and provides them with a voice in determining spending priorities. Through discussions, workshops, and voting processes, citizens can propose and decide on projects that directly impact their lives, fostering transparency and accountability within the budgeting process. By including the public, participatory budgeting not only enhances civic engagement but also ensures that public funds are used more effectively in ways that reflect the community’s needs and desires.