Faced with low levels of citizen interest in community affairs, the Municipality of Reggio Emilio decided to experiment with participatory budgeting in District 8. 256 people took part in the process, which took place between September 2007 and February 2008. Of the 123 proposals which emerged from the neighborhood meetings with citizens, 17 were included in the 2008 budget. These proposals related to the general livability of the community. Participants felt satisfied with the process, and there is hope that future initiatives will be even more successful.
