In order to empower local communities in the city of Birmingham (UK), participatory budgeting pilot projects started in the small areas of Handsworth and Lozells, allowing residents to engage in democratic decision-making regarding the allocation of local resources.
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Problems and Purpose
In 2011, Be Birmingham, a Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) took part in the government’s Small Area Budgets Initiative. The areas of Handsworth and Lozells were designated as the focus of this activity. The Small Area Budgets aimed to explore models of participatory budgeting and to give residents a greater say on how services were delivered locally.
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Methods and Tools Used
This initiative uses participatory budgeting, an increasingly common method of democratic innovation broadly described as "a decision-making process through which citizens deliberate and negotiate over the distribution of public resources." There are many benefits associated with participatory budgeting including increased civic and democratic education; increased government transparency; and an increased opportunity for participation by historically marginalized populations [1].
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
Hampshire County's 'Have Your Say' Participatory Budgeting
Frodsham Participatory Budgeting (Cheshire, UK)
References
External Links
http://www.bebirmingham.org.uk/page.php?id=326&mid=45
Notes
Lead Image: Handsworth, Birmingham https://goo.gl/AMXSGY
Secondary Image: Lozells, Birmingham https://goo.gl/rpqRks