Participatory Budgeting Project tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2012:/participatorybudgeting//103 2012-02-20T20:34:47Z The Participatory Budgeting Project is a non-profit organization that supports participatory budgeting in North America and hosts an international resource site. Movable Type 3.2 Launching the First University PB in the US tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2012:/participatorybudgeting//103.2627 2012-02-20T20:14:51Z 2012-02-20T20:34:47Z PBP is thrilled to be a lead partner for a new pilot PB process at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York. The Brooklyn College Student Government is setting aside 10% of its budget – at least $20,000 – for students to allocate this spring through participatory budgeting. This will be the first college or university in North America where all students will be invited to develop and vote on budget proposals. The process kicks off with two town hall meetings at the start of March, and students will decide which projects get funded at an April vote. For more information, see the press release below. As universities across North America are threatened by funding cuts, we hope to model a new way for students to take control of their education and make their own budget decisions. -- BC Student Government Press Release February 14th, 2012 Brooklyn, NY Today the Brooklyn College Student Governments of CLAS, SGS and GSO revealed an exciting new budgeting plan. 10% of their budgets are to be voted upon directly by students. Through the new initiative, called Participatory Budgeting, students will come together in two town hall meetings (March 6th and March 7th) to discuss student needs and priorities. They will then propose specific projects to address these needs. Student volunteers will work with representatives from the administration, student government, and faculty, to develop these proposals into functional projects and make sure each proposal is financially, technically, and legally feasible. These proposals will then be placed on a ballot and students will vote on which ones to fund in April (around the same time as the Student Government election). Traditionally, these funds are utilized by student clubs. While it is important to support clubs, as well as their events, and initiatives, student... Participatory Budgeting Project http://participatorybudgeting.org/ PBP is thrilled to be a lead partner for a new pilot PB process at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York. The Brooklyn College Student Government is setting aside 10% of its budget – at least $20,000 – for students to allocate this spring through participatory budgeting. This will be the first college or university in North America where all students will be invited to develop and vote on budget proposals.

The process kicks off with two town hall meetings at the start of March, and students will decide which projects get funded at an April vote. For more information, see the press release below. As universities across North America are threatened by funding cuts, we hope to model a new way for students to take control of their education and make their own budget decisions.

--
BC Student Government Press Release
February 14th, 2012
Brooklyn, NY

Today the Brooklyn College Student Governments of CLAS, SGS and GSO revealed an exciting new budgeting plan.
10% of their budgets are to be voted upon directly by students.

Through the new initiative, called Participatory Budgeting, students will come together in two town hall meetings (March 6th and March 7th) to discuss student needs and priorities. They will then propose specific projects to address these needs. Student volunteers will work with representatives from the administration, student government, and faculty, to develop these proposals into functional projects and make sure each proposal is financially, technically, and legally feasible. These proposals will then be placed on a ballot and students will vote on which ones to fund in April (around the same time as the Student Government election).

Traditionally, these funds are utilized by student clubs. While it is important to support clubs, as well as their events, and initiatives, student government feels that students who are either not in clubs or have needs that clubs cannot address ought to have a chance to be heard. Every student should, and now will, have the power to submit their ideas for projects and to improve their experience at Brooklyn College. Additionally, using this money in such a manner enables the student body as a whole to benefit from the funds; after all, the students themselves provide these funds. In order to ensure that this is the case, we are designating the funds to be used for proposals that are “infrastructural” in nature; by this we mean ideas that will improve the experience of the Brooklyn College student body at large and not just specific students or specific groups of students.

Participatory budgeting originated in Brazil and has proven successful in thousands of cities around the world in the past several years. Recently, a city ward in Chicago began allocating discretionary capital funds through participatory budgeting and NYC is only the 2nd U.S. city to ever attempt it. Brooklyn College will be the 1st College or University to attempt this in the U.S. We are working with a member of the team that helped implement the concept in Chicago; his organization The Participatory Budgeting Project (www.participatorybudgeting.org) is also working with four NYC Council-members who are currently doing participatory budgeting in their districts.

We hope the project will increase transparency, make government more efficient, and get students more involved. Democracy is in the making, will you be a part of it?

For more information, email: classpeaker@gmail.com

]]> Want to be an international PB leader? (Board Member Opportunity) tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2012:/participatorybudgeting//103.2626 2012-02-20T20:03:49Z 2012-02-20T20:13:28Z Do you want to help PB grow across North America, and serve as a leader for an international movement to build public control over public money? If so, see our Board Member ad below! Board Member Volunteer Opportunity The Participatory Budgeting Project, Inc. (PBP), a non-profit organization based in New York City, is seeking up to three additional members for its Board of Directors. Our mission is to empower community members to make informed, democratic, and fair decisions about public spending and revenue, by opening up public budgets to meaningful democratic participation. We work with elected officials, government agencies, and community groups in the US and Canada to set up participatory budgeting programs - public processes that let ordinary people directly decide how to spend public money. This work involves three main activities: public education, technical assistance, and research & evaluation. As a Board Member, you will help lead a growing movement to build real democracy. Participatory budgeting (PB) is practiced in over 3,000 cities around the world, but it is relatively new to North America. As the primary organization promoting PB in the US and Canada, PBP has served as a lead partner for the first two PB processes in US cities (in Chicago and New York), and we are working to launch additional processes in over a dozen other cities. Our board and staff include PB experts, practitioners, and participants based in over five cities. Because we are a start-up organization, incorporated in 2011, we expect Board Members to play an active role in developing the organization. We seek board candidates who will: - Serve at least a two-year term, - Attend three to five board meetings per year, via phone or in person, - Contribute additional work outside of meetings, by serving on at least one board... Participatory Budgeting Project http://participatorybudgeting.org/ Do you want to help PB grow across North America, and serve as a leader for an international movement to build public control over public money? If so, see our Board Member ad below!


Board Member Volunteer Opportunity

The Participatory Budgeting Project, Inc. (PBP), a non-profit organization based in New York City, is seeking up to three additional members for its Board of Directors.

Our mission is to empower community members to make informed, democratic, and fair decisions about public spending and revenue, by opening up public budgets to meaningful democratic participation. We work with elected officials, government agencies, and community groups in the US and Canada to set up participatory budgeting programs - public processes that let ordinary people directly decide how to spend public money. This work involves three main activities: public education, technical assistance, and research & evaluation.

As a Board Member, you will help lead a growing movement to build real democracy. Participatory budgeting (PB) is practiced in over 3,000 cities around the world, but it is relatively new to North America. As the primary organization promoting PB in the US and Canada, PBP has served as a lead partner for the first two PB processes in US cities (in Chicago and New York), and we are working to launch additional processes in over a dozen other cities. Our board and staff include PB experts, practitioners, and participants based in over five cities.

Because we are a start-up organization, incorporated in 2011, we expect Board Members to play an active role in developing the organization. We seek board candidates who will:
- Serve at least a two-year term,
- Attend three to five board meetings per year, via phone or in person,
- Contribute additional work outside of meetings, by serving on at least one board committee,
- Assist with fundraising, and
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization by representing and promoting our work in the wider community.

We are especially interested in candidates with accounting, legal, or non-profit development expertise; who have experience as participants or organizers of PB processes; and who are based in New York City, Chicago, or Toronto. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, and LGBTQ individuals.

To apply, send a resume and a letter of interest (highlighting the contributions you expect to make to the organization) by March 7th to Josh Lerner (Executive Director) at josh@participatorybudgeting.org and Michael Menser (Board Chair) at menser@participatorybudgeting.org. For more information, visit our website at http://www.participatorybudgeting.org.

]]> International PB Conference - Registration Open! tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2012:/participatorybudgeting//103.2625 2012-02-01T20:16:25Z 2012-02-01T20:44:49Z Registration is now open for the first International Conference on Participatory Budgeting in the US and Canada, March 30-31, 2012, in New York City. We've also announced a new batch of speakers and co-sponsors - see the conference website for more info!... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net Registration is now open for the first International Conference on Participatory Budgeting in the US and Canada, March 30-31, 2012, in New York City. We've also announced a new batch of speakers and co-sponsors - see the conference website for more info!

]]> 2012 PB Conference Updates tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2012:/participatorybudgeting//103.2624 2012-01-05T16:01:00Z 2012-01-05T16:05:57Z We look forward to seeing you soon at the first International Conference on Participatory Budgeting in the US and Canada. Due to popular demand, the deadline for proposals has been extended to January 31st. Please see the call for proposals for submission guidelines, and feel free to ask us about your session ideas. The conference dates have also been set - March 30-31, 2012. The conference organizers are already planning an exciting lineup of sessions and activities. Here’s a taste of what to expect: - Site Visits to Observe PB Voting in NYC - Presentations on PB processes in New York, Chicago, Toronto Community Housing, Guelph, Montreal, Porto Alegre, the UK, and elsewhere - Sessions on e-Participatory Budgeting & Digital Media, Community Organizing, Arts & Culture, Public Housing, and Youth Engagement - Focused discussions for elected officials, practitioners, and community organizations Stay tuned to the new conference website for updates!... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net We look forward to seeing you soon at the first International Conference on Participatory Budgeting in the US and Canada. Due to popular demand, the deadline for proposals has been extended to January 31st. Please see the call for proposals for submission guidelines, and feel free to ask us about your session ideas.

The conference dates have also been set - March 30-31, 2012. The conference organizers are already planning an exciting lineup of sessions and activities. Here’s a taste of what to expect:
- Site Visits to Observe PB Voting in NYC
- Presentations on PB processes in New York, Chicago, Toronto Community Housing, Guelph, Montreal, Porto Alegre, the UK, and elsewhere
- Sessions on e-Participatory Budgeting & Digital Media, Community Organizing, Arts & Culture, Public Housing, and Youth Engagement
- Focused discussions for elected officials, practitioners, and community organizations

Stay tuned to the new conference website for updates!

]]> Los Angeles PB Event - Jan 12th tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2012:/participatorybudgeting//103.2623 2012-01-04T17:19:36Z 2012-01-04T17:43:20Z The PB Project is speaking at a public event next week in Los Angeles - see the announcement below! --- Participatory Budgeting: From Budget Cuts to the People's Budget An introductory event Thursday, January 12th 7pm @ Haines Hall 279 on UCLA’s Campus Are you interested in real world solutions to the budget crises we face? Do you want to learn about a new approach to democracy being implemented NOW in over 1000 cities world wide including places like New York City and Chicago? Would you like to discuss how participatory budgeting can be applied to the city of LA, UCLA and the UC graduate TA union (UAW 2865)? Then please join us Thursday, January 12th, 7pm at UCLA, Haines Hall 279, for a panel discussion on the Participatory Budgeting (PB) movement. We will be joined by New York City Council Member Brad Lander, Pam Jennings from The Participatory Budgeting Project, and community representatives from NYC's 39th District. The discussants are part of a larger group of four NYC districts who are using participatory budgeting to allocate nearly 6 million dollars in capital discretionary funds. We will learn more about participatory budgeting, the challenges of implementing it in NYC, and discuss ways participatory budgeting can be used in LA and within the UC system. Refreshments will be provided. Hope you can join us! Please use this google map to find Haines Hall. Once you enter Haines Hall go up the main stairs to the 2nd floor and room 279 will be at the north end of the building on your left.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net The PB Project is speaking at a public event next week in Los Angeles - see the announcement below!

---
Participatory Budgeting: From Budget Cuts to the People's Budget
An introductory event Thursday, January 12th 7pm @ Haines Hall 279 on UCLA’s Campus

Are you interested in real world solutions to the budget crises we face?

Do you want to learn about a new approach to democracy being implemented NOW in over 1000 cities world wide including places like New York City and Chicago?

Would you like to discuss how participatory budgeting can be applied to the city of LA, UCLA and the UC graduate TA union (UAW 2865)?

Then please join us Thursday, January 12th, 7pm at UCLA, Haines Hall 279, for a panel discussion on the Participatory Budgeting (PB) movement. We will be joined by New York City Council Member Brad Lander, Pam Jennings from The Participatory Budgeting Project, and community representatives from NYC's 39th District. The discussants are part of a larger group of four NYC districts who are using participatory budgeting to allocate nearly 6 million dollars in capital discretionary funds. We will learn more about participatory budgeting, the challenges of implementing it in NYC, and discuss ways participatory budgeting can be used in LA and within the UC system. Refreshments will be provided. Hope you can join us!

Please use this google map to find Haines Hall. Once you enter Haines Hall go up the main stairs to the 2nd floor and room 279 will be at the north end of the building on your left.

]]> New Orleans event tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2621 2011-12-09T01:57:06Z 2011-12-09T02:01:27Z The Participatory Budgeting Project is traveling to New Orleans next week, and we'll be speaking at a public forum on Wednesday December 14th. 6pm at Grace Episcopal Church – 3700 Canal Street. The event is sponsored by the Committee for a Better New Orleans and the New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance. For more information visit their event announcement.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net The Participatory Budgeting Project is traveling to New Orleans next week, and we'll be speaking at a public forum on Wednesday December 14th. 6pm at Grace Episcopal Church – 3700 Canal Street. The event is sponsored by the Committee for a Better New Orleans and the New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance. For more information visit their event announcement.

]]> PBP in Baltimore, New Haven, New Orleans & Porto Alegre tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2620 2011-11-22T22:49:08Z 2011-11-22T23:04:44Z The PB Project is hitting the road! In the next month we'll be speaking at the following events: November 23-26: Porto Alegre, Brazil 10th World Congress of Metropolis November 25: Baltimore 4:00pm, at The Baltimore Free School (1323 N. Calvert, corner of Calvert and Mt. Royal) Event hosted by Occupy Baltimore organizers. More info. December 6: New Haven 7:00pm at the Hall of Records - City of New Haven (200 Orange Street) More info. December 13-15: New Orleans Visit organized by The Committee for a Better New Orleans and the Open Society Foundation.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net The PB Project is hitting the road! In the next month we'll be speaking at the following events:

November 23-26: Porto Alegre, Brazil
10th World Congress of Metropolis

November 25: Baltimore
4:00pm, at The Baltimore Free School (1323 N. Calvert, corner of Calvert and Mt. Royal)
Event hosted by Occupy Baltimore organizers.
More info.

December 6: New Haven
7:00pm at the Hall of Records - City of New Haven (200 Orange Street)
More info.

December 13-15: New Orleans
Visit organized by The Committee for a Better New Orleans and the Open Society Foundation.

]]> International PB Conference: March 2012, NYC tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2619 2011-11-16T19:27:01Z 2012-01-08T03:08:34Z Please share with your networks: International Conference: Participatory Budgeting in the US and Canada March 30-31, 2012, New York City CALL FOR PROPOSALS--EXTENDED DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2012 Conference Website: http://pbconference.wordpress.com/ In a time of widespread budget crises and plummeting trust in government, politicians and community members are searching for more democratic and accountable ways to manage public money. Participatory Budgeting (PB) offers an alternative. PB is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The process was first developed in Brazil in 1989, and there are now over 1,000 participatory budgets around the world. Most are for city budgets, but counties, states, towns, housing authorities, schools, and other institutions have also used PB to open up public spending to public participation. PB is now common in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa - and in some cases even required by law. Yet it has only recently appeared on the radar in the US and Canada, with a few Canadian processes starting in 2001 and some initial US experiments starting in 2009. This first regional conference on PB will take place in New York City to allow participants to observe and celebrate the closing of the city’s first PB cycle. The conference will provide a space for participants and organizers of the initial PB processes in the US and Canada to share and reflect on their experiences so far, alongside interested activists, practitioners, and scholars. Dates March 30-31, 2012 Note: The conference will coincide with the final vote for the New York City Participatory Budgeting process. The dates of the vote have not been finalized yet, but we expect them to be one of these two weekends. We will confirm the dates as soon as possible. Locations New York City: Pratt Institute... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net Please share with your networks:

International Conference: Participatory Budgeting in the US and Canada
March 30-31, 2012, New York City

CALL FOR PROPOSALS--EXTENDED DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2012
Conference Website: http://pbconference.wordpress.com/

In a time of widespread budget crises and plummeting trust in government, politicians and community members are searching for more democratic and accountable ways to manage public money. Participatory Budgeting (PB) offers an alternative. PB is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The process was first developed in Brazil in 1989, and there are now over 1,000 participatory budgets around the world. Most are for city budgets, but counties, states, towns, housing authorities, schools, and other institutions have also used PB to open up public spending to public participation.

PB is now common in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa - and in some cases even required by law. Yet it has only recently appeared on the radar in the US and Canada, with a few Canadian processes starting in 2001 and some initial US experiments starting in 2009.

This first regional conference on PB will take place in New York City to allow participants to observe and celebrate the closing of the city’s first PB cycle. The conference will provide a space for participants and organizers of the initial PB processes in the US and Canada to share and reflect on their experiences so far, alongside interested activists, practitioners, and scholars.

Dates
March 30-31, 2012

Note: The conference will coincide with the final vote for the New York City Participatory Budgeting process. The dates of the vote have not been finalized yet, but we expect them to be one of these two weekends. We will confirm the dates as soon as possible.

Locations
New York City: Pratt Institute (Brooklyn), Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and other locations throughout the city

Organizers
Pratt Institute, Programs for Sustainable Planning and Development
The Participatory Budgeting Project
Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College (CUNY)


Conference Themes
As an opportunity to reflect upon early PB initiatives in the US and Canada, and build new relationships and collaborations between practitioners, the conference will focus on the following questions. We encourage all submissions relating to these and other similar themes.

1) What is the current state of PB practice in the United States and Canada? How are current experiments progressing and what efforts to establish new PB’s are underway?
2) What common themes or conditions underlie PB experiences in the US ad Canada?
3) How do experiences in these countries differ from PB in other parts of the world?
4) How do PB experiences in the US and Canada inform key ongoing debates on PB worldwide?
5) How can PB practitioners, activists, and participants in the US and Canada support each others’ efforts?

Session Types
We encourage presenters to submit proposals for a variety of session formats. These may include, but are not limited to: panel discussions, workshops, presentations, and videos. Sessions are scheduled to last 1.5 hours, but some sessions may group together shorter activities. Though the conference’s primary focus is on PB in the US and Canada, proposals dealing with broader PB issues or other locations will also be considered. Proposals that reflect a diversity of opinions, experiences and backgrounds will be given priority.

Panel Discussions: Panel discussions should be facilitated by a moderator (please indicate in your proposal whether you would like us to help identify a moderator/discussant) and should be composed of 3-5 panelists. Panels should leave adequate time for discussion.

Workshops: The goal of proposed workshops should be the participation of workshop participants in a discussion or other activity designed to learn, communicate, debate, etc. Workshops can be led by a single person, although workshops led by a diverse range of people are preferred. “Presenting” by workshop leader/s should be limited.

Presentations: Presentations of PB experiences and academic papers are also welcome. Presentations will be grouped together based on subject, geography or theme. Academic paper presentations will be limited to 15 minutes, and all presenters should be prepared for discussion with other participants.

Videos and Other Formats: We welcome video screenings and other artistic or creative proposals.

Conference Fees
There will be a sliding scale conference fee from $10 for students and low-income people to $50 for full registration. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Submission Guidelines
Session proposals should include the following information:
● Title
● Abstract (200-400 words)
● Name(s) and/or organizations of authors, presenters, panelists, workshop leaders, etc
● Special arrangements or other considerations (space requirements, scheduling requests, etc)

EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION--January 31st, 2012

Please submit proposals by email to: pbconference.info@gmail.com

]]> Occupy Baltimore calls for participatory budgeting tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2618 2011-11-09T16:42:48Z 2011-11-09T17:02:41Z Organizers with Occupy Baltimore called for participatory budgeting at a public hearing they organized with the Baltimore Development Corporation. Read more.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net Organizers with Occupy Baltimore called for participatory budgeting at a public hearing they organized with the Baltimore Development Corporation. Read more.

]]> New Project: Environmental Justice PB in Louisiana tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2617 2011-10-23T19:06:24Z 2011-10-23T19:20:45Z The PB Project is partnering with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade to launch a new PB process for environmental justice funds in Louisiana, with support from the Fund for Democratic Communities. Faced with widespread industrial pollution, Louisiana communities are struggling to protect their environment, public health, and local economies. Oil refineries in the state experience an average of 10 chemical accidents per week, releasing up to 80 different chemicals into surrounding communities. Grassroots groups are struggling to document these environmental injustices, educate residents, and advocate for change. Through a PB process, the Bucket Brigade will invite these groups to directly allocate $100,000 for local projects and to shape hundreds of thousands of dollars of general organizational spending. We hope that the initiative will help local groups develop the budgeting and fundraising skills needed to sustain campaigns and engage community members, while enabling the Bucket Brigade to better support grassroots action. At the same time, it will model a new use for PB, showing how organizations and coalitions at the state or regional level can engage members in deciding collective budgets. More info coming soon!... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net The PB Project is partnering with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade to launch a new PB process for environmental justice funds in Louisiana, with support from the Fund for Democratic Communities. Faced with widespread industrial pollution, Louisiana communities are struggling to protect their environment, public health, and local economies. Oil refineries in the state experience an average of 10 chemical accidents per week, releasing up to 80 different chemicals into surrounding communities. Grassroots groups are struggling to document these environmental injustices, educate residents, and advocate for change.

Through a PB process, the Bucket Brigade will invite these groups to directly allocate $100,000 for local projects and to shape hundreds of thousands of dollars of general organizational spending. We hope that the initiative will help local groups develop the budgeting and fundraising skills needed to sustain campaigns and engage community members, while enabling the Bucket Brigade to better support grassroots action. At the same time, it will model a new use for PB, showing how organizations and coalitions at the state or regional level can engage members in deciding collective budgets. More info coming soon!

]]> Full Steam Ahead in NYC tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2616 2011-10-23T18:38:20Z 2011-10-23T19:03:27Z PBNYC is well into its Neighborhood Assemblies stage! Across the four participating City Council Districts, community members are coming out en masse to learn about PB and share project ideas. Roughly half of the Neighborhood Assembly participants so far have volunteered to serve as budget delegates and work over the next several months to turn the ideas collected into a final ballot. The PB Project has been busy supporting the more than 25 assemblies city-wide in October and November. Starting in a few weeks, hundreds of budget delegates will begin meeting - and organizers will start planning the final vote and expansion for next year. For updates and more info, check out the PBNYC website and Facebook page.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net PBNYC is well into its Neighborhood Assemblies stage! Across the four participating City Council Districts, community members are coming out en masse to learn about PB and share project ideas. Roughly half of the Neighborhood Assembly participants so far have volunteered to serve as budget delegates and work over the next several months to turn the ideas collected into a final ballot.

small group.JPG

The PB Project has been busy supporting the more than 25 assemblies city-wide in October and November. Starting in a few weeks, hundreds of budget delegates will begin meeting - and organizers will start planning the final vote and expansion for next year. For updates and more info, check out the PBNYC website and Facebook page.

presentations.JPG

]]> PB at Occupy Wall Street tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2615 2011-10-23T15:26:32Z 2011-10-23T18:36:51Z As the Occupy movement is inspiring people around the world, it is turning to PB for inspiration. The PB Project has been invited to help facilitate teach-ins this Sunday (October 23rd) at 6pm at Occupy Wall Street and at 2pm at Occupy Providence. Occupiers in Boston, Greensboro, and other cities are also reaching out, to see how PB can fit into the movement's diverse tactics and demands. OWS and PB assemblies are both drawing out hundreds of people to build a new form of democracy, in New York and elsewhere. Mainstream media and organizers on the ground are starting to draw connections. Occupiers could use PB to manage the funds they have raised (over $300,000 at OWS!), modelling a more democratic economy. PB is also one of the more winnable demands occupiers could make, since it's already happening in over 1,000 cities around the world. Existing PB processes could likewise benefit from new support, if occupiers can push for more public control over more money.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net As the Occupy movement is inspiring people around the world, it is turning to PB for inspiration. The PB Project has been invited to help facilitate teach-ins this Sunday (October 23rd) at 6pm at Occupy Wall Street and at 2pm at Occupy Providence. Occupiers in Boston, Greensboro, and other cities are also reaching out, to see how PB can fit into the movement's diverse tactics and demands.

OWS and PB assemblies are both drawing out hundreds of people to build a new form of democracy, in New York and elsewhere. Mainstream media and organizers on the ground are starting to draw connections.

Occupiers could use PB to manage the funds they have raised (over $300,000 at OWS!), modelling a more democratic economy. PB is also one of the more winnable demands occupiers could make, since it's already happening in over 1,000 cities around the world. Existing PB processes could likewise benefit from new support, if occupiers can push for more public control over more money.

]]> Project Censored: PB One of Top Censored Stories tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2614 2011-10-05T17:38:58Z 2011-10-05T17:46:32Z For the second year in a row, participatory budgeting has won the bittersweet honor of being named to Project Censored's list of the top 25 censored stories of the past year. Hopefully that streak will end this year, as PB is attracting more coverage from media such as the New York Times and ABC.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net For the second year in a row, participatory budgeting has won the bittersweet honor of being named to Project Censored's list of the top 25 censored stories of the past year. Hopefully that streak will end this year, as PB is attracting more coverage from media such as the New York Times and ABC.

]]> Neighborhood Assemblies in NYC and Chicago tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2613 2011-10-03T21:34:52Z 2011-10-03T21:39:16Z Neighborhood Assemblies start today for PB in New York! They will continue throughout October, and anyone is welcome to participate. See http://pbnyc.org for the full schedule. PB49 (PB in Chicago's 49th Ward) also announced its fall slate of assemblies, starting in a few weeks.... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net Neighborhood Assemblies start today for PB in New York! They will continue throughout October, and anyone is welcome to participate. See http://pbnyc.org for the full schedule.

PB49 (PB in Chicago's 49th Ward) also announced its fall slate of assemblies, starting in a few weeks.

]]> Launch of PB in New York City! tag:www.watsonblogs.org,2011:/participatorybudgeting//103.2610 2011-09-14T20:06:06Z 2011-09-17T23:10:09Z Participatory budgeting has arrived in New York City. The PB Project is proud to serve as the lead technical assistance partner for a new $6 million PB process that is starting next month in four City Council districts. City Council Members Brad Lander, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Eric Ulrich, and Jumaane Williams are each setting aside at least $1 million in capital discretionary funds for residents to allocate. Over the past several months, the PBP has worked closely with the Council Members, lead community partner Community Voices Heard, and a City-Wide Steering Committee of 40 organizations, to design and plan the process. District Committees in each of the four districts are now planning the opening round of neighborhood assemblies, which will last throughout October. Volunteer budget delegates, selected at the assemblies, will then meet for 3-4 months to develop final budget proposals. In March 2012, residents in each district will vote on the proposals, and the top vote getters will be included in the city budget for 2013. We expect this pilot process to expand to additional districts and budget pots once the first cycle is complete. For more information, see today's NY Times article and the PBNYC website, and stay tuned for more updates here. The full press release is copied below: Councilmembers and Community Allies Announce Groundbreaking, Democratic Budgeting Initiative In Four City Council Districts Across New York City, Residents Will Propose and Vote on Capital Projects to be Funded by Members' Budget NEW YORK, NY, September 14, 2011: Today, Council Member Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn), Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan), Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Queens) and Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), unveiled a new process for budgeting, in which voters in their districts will directly decide how to spend millions of their own tax dollars, a first in New... Josh Lerner http://www.linesofflight.net Participatory budgeting has arrived in New York City. The PB Project is proud to serve as the lead technical assistance partner for a new $6 million PB process that is starting next month in four City Council districts. City Council Members Brad Lander, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Eric Ulrich, and Jumaane Williams are each setting aside at least $1 million in capital discretionary funds for residents to allocate.

Over the past several months, the PBP has worked closely with the Council Members, lead community partner Community Voices Heard, and a City-Wide Steering Committee of 40 organizations, to design and plan the process. District Committees in each of the four districts are now planning the opening round of neighborhood assemblies, which will last throughout October.

Volunteer budget delegates, selected at the assemblies, will then meet for 3-4 months to develop final budget proposals. In March 2012, residents in each district will vote on the proposals, and the top vote getters will be included in the city budget for 2013. We expect this pilot process to expand to additional districts and budget pots once the first cycle is complete. For more information, see today's NY Times article and the PBNYC website, and stay tuned for more updates here.

The full press release is copied below:
Councilmembers and Community Allies Announce Groundbreaking, Democratic Budgeting Initiative
In Four City Council Districts Across New York City, Residents Will Propose and Vote on Capital Projects to be Funded by Members' Budget

NEW YORK, NY, September 14, 2011: Today, Council Member Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn), Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan), Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Queens) and Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), unveiled a new process for budgeting, in which voters in their districts will directly decide how to spend millions of their own tax dollars, a first in New York City.

Through the new initiative, called participatory budgeting, residents will come together in public meetings this fall to discuss local priorities and propose specific infrastructure projects to address the needs of their communities. Community volunteers will finalize proposals and work with city agencies and the council members to estimate costs. Public votes will be held in each district in March, for the residents to decide which projects will be funded. Each council member is reserving at least $1 million in discretionary capital funds for their constituents to allocate.

"We are excited to put budgeting power directly in the hands of the people," said Council Member Brad Lander. "Not only will next year's budget be more democratic as a result, it will also be more effective - because our constituents know best where money needs to go in our community."

"As local representatives, we have the ability to do more than just speak for our constituents. We can let them speak for themselves," said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. "Participatory budgeting asks citizens how they want their taxpayer dollars reinvested in our communities, and encourages civic participation across the neighborhoods we represent. It is a real step towards true democracy in our city, and I am excited to bring this process to my district."

"The message behind participatory budgeting is 'your money, your vote, your choice,'" said Council Member Jumaane D. Williams. "We are empowering the residents of our districts to get educated and engaged in the budgetary process that controls so much of how this city functions from day to day. I believe this will produce a more active electorate that demands more of its elected officials, which is how democracy truly thrives."

Traditionally, council members and their staff determine how to allocate discretionary capital funding in their districts. This is the first time that these decisions will be made through a vote by residents.

Community organizations from across the city are supporting and advising the participatory budgeting effort.

"Participatory budgeting is important because it expands on our concept of democracy," said Ann Bragg, Board Member and Leader at Community Voices Heard (CVH). "Many more people are included in this process and the residents come up with the projects. We make the solutions and we make the decisions. I cannot wait to go to the Neighborhood Assemblies to begin working with my community to address our needs." CVH, a membership organization of low-income New Yorkers, helped bring the idea of Participatory Budgeting to the Council Members and is serving as the Lead Community Engagement partner for the initiative.

"Participatory budgeting offers people a fundamentally different way to engage with government," said Josh Lerner, Co-Director of The Participatory Budgeting Project, technical support advisor for the initiative. "It lets them directly decide what government does with taxpayer money, rather than just electing politicians to make those decisions for them."

"Manhattan Community Board 11 is proud to be a part of the Participatory Budgeting Project in New York City," said Angel Mescain-Archer, Assistant District Manager of Manhattan Community Board 11. "We hope that together with our project partners we can create a successful program that will inspire other communities throughout the city to participate in years to come".

"Participatory Budgeting is one of the most promising developments in good government to come to New York City in the last decade," said Morgan Pehme, Executive Director of New York Civic, a good government organization founded by Henry Stern. "It empowers the people to spend their tax dollars on the projects that really mean the most to their communities, while taking the power of the purse out of the hands of the politicians, who all too often wield these monies for self-serving purposes. The four Councilmembers who have signed on to this initiative should be applauded for their courage and commitment to real reform."

"This is an amazing and unique opportunity to bring decision making on how public money is spent to members of the community. We applaud all the Council members who have committed to participating in this pilot democratic process and look forward to engaging all constituents in their districts."
- Lucia Gomez, Executive Director, La Fuente-NYCPP

"Participatory budgeting has the potential to significantly shift the relationship between our city and its people. Not only does the process direct resources to where they are most needed, but it provides a new conduit for meaningful interaction between elected officials and their constituents. Bravo!"
- Mel Wymore, Chair, Manhattan Community Board 7

"As a political scientist, I study how Americans have lost trust in our government and its ability to heed their wishes and concerns. Participatory budgeting is an exciting democratic innovation that has helped everyday citizens to connect with their elected officials and really get their voices heard, in hundreds of cities around the world. I'm so excited to be part of it here. It's a great moment for democratic accountability in New York City."
- Celina Su, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

"Participatory Budgeting is a tool proven effective to increase informed participation in the public budgeting process, and has real potential to increase democracy in planning and the distribution of public resources in New York City. The initiative deserves full support."
- Peter Marcuse, Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning, Columbia University

Participatory budgeting originated in Brazil and has proven successful in thousands of cities around the world in recent years. Recently, a city ward in Chicago began allocating discretionary capital funds through participatory budgeting.

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