New York
Dreaming through uncertainty: democracy doesn’t pause and neither do you
This past month, contending with COVID-19 and the ensuing shelter in place orders, has stretched and tested us all in many ways. We have felt the limitations of technology, questioned how we can prioritize equity in a virtual world, and moved to support our partners across the country as they come together to adapt. Democracy…
Read MoreOvercoming Barriers to Volunteer Participation
Real money, real power. This is more than a catchphrase, it is a requirement of participatory budgeting (PB). Of course, PB requires one more key ingredient: real people participating and leading the way. Participants from the cycle 7 PBNYC vote. PB is driven largely by volunteers who take on the responsibility, commitment, and power of…
Read MoreCelebrating this year’s biggest wins: revitalizing democracy in 2020
Happy Holidays from all of us at PBP! After a busy 2019 launching exciting new projects like Democracy Beyond Elections and PBCan, and working with incredible communities like students in Merced and educators in NYC, we took some time in November, during our staff retreat, to look at the big picture. We want to extend a big thank you…
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 MoreA PB Love Story: How Catherine and Neil Met
On Valentine’s Day, we bring you a story of love and democracy. Catherine Zinnel used to be the coordinator for participatory budgeting (PB) in New York City Council Member Brad Lander’s office. She met her now-husband Neil Reilly when he got involved as a PB volunteer. PB brings people together. For Catherine and Neil, PB…
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…
Read MorePBP News: Victory in NYC, New Video, Rockstars for PB
VICTORY: NYC Voters Approve Citywide PB Last week was big 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 moment for participatory budgeting: New York City voters approved a city charter revision that will create a citywide PB process! In…
Read MoreYou’re Invited! Brooklyn Fundraiser
Come celebrate taking participatory budgeting to the next level! For the past decade, we’ve built a movement in NYC – and across the country – to expand democracy and civic engagement. We’ve won big this year! From Mayor de Blasio’s announcement that all public high schools will launch participatory budgeting (PB) to NYC voters approving…
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,…
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