Increasing participation using Participatory Budgeting

With more emphasis on alternative and innovative methods to reduce public sector spending and increase participation, many organisations are moving towards Participatory Budgeting (PB). It is regarded as one of the most successful innovations in participatory democracy. PB is an asset based approach to co-producing public services. With benefits focused on the hardest to reach and most deprived members of the community.

Participatory Budgeting can really empower citizens and help drive innovation in public services. Major developments such as devolved Community Budgets, elected Police

Commissioners and the establishment of NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups all cry out for effective ways of letting local people have an input on spending priorities.

Group of Diverse Multiethnic People Teamwork

PB has a proven track record of increasing levels of participation, engagement and empowerment in a range of community settings; and with ongoing pressures on public spending, it has never been a more appropriate time to find effective ways to engage and share responsibilities. Quite often only a fixed and relatively small amount of total public spending is opened up to public decision making through PB. But often they are the funds most important to local people, and trusting citizens can have a big impact on their respect for and engagement with representative democracy.

As a PB Partner we are skilled and experienced in helping with training packages for a variety of organisations and can advise on the practical implications. Your staff can be empowered through training to deliver PB, and through putting in place a comprehensive internal train the trainer programme, your organisation will ultimately deliver longer term savings through its existing staff to ensure delivery of PB for many years to come.

If you are interested in finding out more about how we can help your organisation to consider the possible uses of Participatory Budgeting, understand its key principles, best practice application and implications and identify the requirements for a successful Participatory Budgeting event then please contact us.

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