Blog
We’re supporting #YesYesYesNYC… will you?
Did you know that participatory budgeting will be on the ballot November 6? New York City voters have an opportunity to raise the bar for PB by voting for ballot proposal 2. If approved, it will launch the largest PB process in North America – likely bigger than all other programs in the US and Canada combined! Will…
Read MorePBS Releases New Film on PBNYC
Participatory Budgeting has never been more beautiful! PBS’ acclaimed documentary film series POV just released Public Money, a stunning short film on Participatory Budgeting in New York City (PBNYC). Produced by our friends at Meerkat Media, the 15-minute film follows community members in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood as they launch PB in the district. Here’s…
Read MoreMeet PBP’s New Research Fellow Loren Peabody
Our team at the Participatory Budgeting Project is excited to welcome a new Research Fellow, Loren Peabody. As a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in the Sociology Department, Loren is committed to learning and teaching about sociology, international studies, American society, and urban sociology. Loren, can you tell us about your…
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 MoreMeet our Participation Design Strategist, Antonnet Johnson
At the Participatory Budgeting Project, we’re thrilled to welcome Antonnet Johnson to our team as a Participation Design Strategist. Antonnet joins us through a prestigious fellowship from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS). The Mellon/ACLS Public Fellows Program pairs recent doctoral graduates in the humanities with nonprofits across…
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 MoreLessons from 30 years of a global experiment in democracy
The Hewlett Foundation and Omidyar Network recently funded a major new report on the lessons learned from 30 years of participatory budgeting (PB). In July, we hosted a webinar about the state and future of PB with report authors Stephanie McNulty and Brian Wampler. Check out the webinar recording, slides, and key takeaways below. We…
Read MoreSummer News: Welcome a new wave of voters + civic innovation
PB increases voter likelihood by 7% New research shows that people who take part in PB are 7% more likely to vote in an election. Candidates are winning recent elections by narrow margins. A 7% increase in voter likelihood could reshape political landscapes. These findings confirm what we’ve been hearing for years: PB inspires participants to…
Read MoreMaking PB Inclusive and Fair
Typically, when we want to know how inclusive and fair a Participatory Budgeting (PB) process is, we ask “Who shows up?” While this is a good starting point, it’s not enough. To meaningfully assess equity, we need to dig deeper. Celina Su, Chair of Urban Studies at the City University of New York (CUNY) and…
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…
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