At the end of October The Participatory Budgeting Project is sponsoring two public talks in New York City, featuring Chicago Alderman Joe Moore, who launched the first US participatory budgeting process this past year. See below for info. If you are interested in setting up similar events in your city, send us an email.

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From Budget Cuts to a People’s Budget?
Connecting Participatory Planning and Public Budgets in New York
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WHEN: Friday, October 29, 2010 – 5-7pm
WHERE: Pratt Institute Brooklyn Campus, Higgins Hall Auditorium – 61 St. James Place, at Lafayette (G to Clinton-Washington)
SPONSORS: Pratt Institute Programs For Sustainable Planning and Development, Community Voices Heard, The Design Trust for Public Space, The Participatory Budgeting Project
This panel discussion will explore how New York’s budget crises and lack of accountability might be addressed by opening up budgeting to the public. Chicago Alderman Joe Moore will share his experience with participatory budgeting, in which he invited residents of his ward to directly decide how to spend his $1.3 million discretionary budget. Invited New York City Council Members, Community Board representatives, and community activists will then respond to Moore’s presentation, discussing if and how community members could be more involved in budget decisions in New York.
Speakers include:
– Joe Moore, Chicago Alderman
– Brad Lander, New York City Council Member for District 39
– Fernando Tirado, District Manager, Bronx Community Board 7
– Anne Washington, Community Voices Heard
RSVP to Josh Lerner at joshalerner(at)gmail(dot)com
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Public Control over Public Money:
Participatory Budgeting at CUNY, Flatbush, and Beyond
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WHEN: October 28th, 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn College Student Center, 2901 Campus Road
SPONSORS: BC Dept. of Political Science, NYC Solidarity Economy Network, The Participatory Budgeting Project
This discussion will explore how public budgets could be opened up to public participation, at CUNY, in Flatbush, and elsewhere in New York. Chicago Alderman Joe Moore will share his experience with participatory budgeting, in which he invited residents of his ward to directly decide how to spend his $1.3 million discretionary budget. Other speakers include Professor Michael Menser (Brooklyn College), local elected officials, and representatives from community organizations and student groups.
RSVP to Michael Menser at morphospace(at)gmail(dot)com
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More information:
– Chicago’s $1.3 Million Experiment in Democracy, YES! Magazine
– Spending out in the open for 49th Ward, Chicago Tribune
– Participatory Budgeting in the 49th Ward Website