Posts by Josh Lerner
Signing off and 5 next steps
Hi friends, This definitely isn’t how I’d planned it. When I announced last year that I’d step down as Co-Executive Director of the Participatory Budgeting Project by April 2020, I wasn’t expecting to align this transition with the biggest global pandemic in a century. But here we are and March 31 will be my last day at PBP,…
Read MoreLeadership Change at PBP
Dear PBP supporters, I’m writing to share big news for me and PBP. In April 2020, I’ll step down as Co-Executive Director at PBP and transition out of the organization. My fellow Co-ED Shari Davis will remain as Executive Director. Fifteen years ago, I flew to Brazil to convene a discussion on participatory budgeting (PB)…
Read MorePBP is launching a new Global PB Hub!
We’re thrilled to announce that PBP is launching a new global hub for PB practitioners and advocates, thanks to a $560,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The Global PB Hub will coordinate knowledge sharing, research, learning, and resource development for PB practitioners and advocates around the globe. The PB Hub will build…
Read MoreWe’re 10 years old! Can you get us this present?
I’ll admit, the past month has brought tears (of joy) to my eyes. I’m deeply proud that the Participatory Budgeting Project is celebrating our 10 year anniversary. We’ve come so far together – empowering 534,000 people in over 30 cities to decide how to spend $337 million! Thank you for stepping up to join our…
Read MoreErik Olin Wright, Interstellar Leader of Democracy (1947-2019)
We lost a shining star of democracy last week. Erik Olin Wright, PBP Advisory Board member and leading scholar of democracy and social change, passed away on January 23rd, 2019 from leukemia. Erik was…
Read MoreVICTORY! NYC voters approve citywide PB
We did it! Yesterday was a big day for democracy, from the re-enfranchisement of 1.4 million voters in Florida to an upsurge in turnout across the US. It was also a big day for participatory budgeting: New York City voters approved a city charter revision that will create a citywide PB process! In a landslide vote,…
Read MoreVictory! Citywide PB is on the ballot in NYC – will you help it win?
Big News! After years of hard work, we’re thrilled to announce a major victory for participatory budgeting (PB) in New York City and beyond: NYC’s Charter Reform Commission just decided to include a ballot measure in the November election calling for a new citywide PB process. The measure also includes expanded support from a new…
Read MoreThis Arcade Fire Rockstar Has Big Plans for Democracy
As part of Grammy-winning band Arcade Fire, Will Butler is serious about his craft. A proud Brooklyn resident, he’s also committed to community and democracy. While on tour, Will hosts civic engagement after-parties called Disco Town Halls. Wherever the show, he partners with community groups and officials to hold a discussion on a key public…
Read MoreParticipatory budgeting increases voter likelihood 7%
The effects of PB on voter likelihood Trust in government is at an all-time low, as only 18% of Americans say they can trust the government to do what is right. This deep distrust and cynicism leads many to stay home on election day. The US has one of the lowest rates of voting among…
Read MoreParticipatory Budgeting in NYC: $210 million for 706 community projects
For the 7th straight year, New Yorkers just decided part of the city budget. We’re excited to share the impressive results from 2018 – and a new tool that brings past results of Participatory Budgeting in New York City (PBNYC) to your fingertips! 2018 Vote Results More than 99,250 residents age 11 and older participated…
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