In this 2012 case, the Bishop of Lichfield's annual Lent Appeal proceeds were divided via the participatory budgeting method within the Diocese of Lichfield in Canterbury to address poverty, thereby engaging local community members in the democratic process.
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Problems and Purpose
Each year the Bishop of Lichfield has a Lent Appeal, which raises about £40,000, of which half is distributed locally. For 2013 he decided to use a PB approach, inviting projects from around the Diocese to apply.
Background History and Context
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Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The organization was supported by the Diocesan Transforming Communities department, and additional charitable funding covered the running costs.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Applications were invited from projects working within the 100 parishes with IMD scores in the highest 10% nationally [1]. All projects were to address poverty and the causes of poverty.
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 [2].
Deliberation, Decisions, and Public Interaction
On the day 22 projects spoke to their proposals. 116 people attended, and 16 projects received funding [1].
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Organizers encouraged local areas to adopt PB using a follow-up 'promotional day.'
Analysis and Lessons Learned
Several people were concerned that those with many supporters secured their funding.
See Also
Participatory Budgeting: Porto Alegre 2005-2007
References
[1] All Christian Learning and Discipleship Projects, Churches and Community Engagement (2015). Practising Generosity. Saint Peter's Saltley Trust. Retrieved from http://www.saltleytrust.org.uk/practising-generosity/
External Links
https://pbnetwork.org.uk/diocese-of-lichfield-participatory-budgeting-day/
Video of the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJmkMtst5BY
https://sharedfuturecic.org.uk/casestudy/pb-partners-supports-practising-generosity-lichfield/
Notes
Lead Image: https://goo.gl/6Nu9gL
