For Researchers
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 MoreDemocracy Beyond Elections
Our systemically undemocratic system of governance privileges the interests of the elite over the majority. In an age of constant feedback loops and distributed power – from smartphones to YouTube to #MeToo – access to democracy remains largely limited to occasionally electing a few leaders to decide for us. This structural inequality may work well…
Read MorePBP Annual Report: 10 Years of Transforming Democracy
We are celebrating 10 years of transforming democracy and are proud to share our incredible victories from 2018 and our first decade of work. We can’t wait for you to be part of our vision for the future of the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP). With your support, we can create a more just and equitable…
Read MoreInvesting in the Young Leaders of Today
The bell rings. Students spill from buildings into the hot, dry air of the desert. Concrete carries them into the sun. Heat waves along the horizon melt friends and buildings into distorted pools of color. The sting of the sun searing their skin distracts them from the oven-like air, but it does little to dull…
Read MoreI’m an Obama Fellow – I am because you ARE
Today, I am honored. I’m honored to be one of the 2019 Obama Foundation Fellows. And, I’m honored to join the diverse and powerful 2019 class of community-minded civic leaders. The Obama Foundation Fellowship will allow me to continue and strengthen my work elevating youth leadership and breaking down barriers between people and government…
Read MoreNew Data-Driven Map Shows Spread of Participation in Democracy
As we celebrate the first 30 years of participatory budgeting (PB) in the world and the first 10 years of the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP), we reflect on how far and wide PB has spread–and how it continues to grow! We’re thrilled to introduce a new tool to help us look back as we plan…
Read MoreHow students can decide school budgets and policies
Young people need safer and more supportive schools. Whether in Parkland, Florida, or in communities of color that face violence daily, students are demanding more of a say in how their schools are run. This spring, we showed how schools can take student voice to the next level: Invite students to directly decide school spending…
Read MoreRochester asked residents to decide how to reduce poverty. Here are the results.
Rosa was bubbling over with excitement. She’d just accepted $50,000 to launch a new childcare program unlike any other in Rochester, NY. After months of working with community members, local partners, and lots of data, Rosa’s community cast participatory budgeting (PB) votes on how to spend $200,000 of New York State government anti-poverty dollars in…
Read MoreThe next generation of digital democracy tools
Marijel walks by an old neighborhood park every day on her way to work. She fondly recalls visiting the park as a child, running around with friends, laughing away the sticky summer days. These days the park reminds her more of a vacant lot than a place for kids to hang out. While attending one…
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