PROJECT
Participatory Democracy
COMPANY
WireMaze
YEAR
2018/2019
AUTHOR
Nataliya Kozhushna
Local councils faced a challenge in providing adequate resources and support in implementing participatory budgeting (PB) processes. PB is a democratic process that gives citizens a direct say in how public funds are allocated and spent in their communities. To address this challenge, WireMaze initiated a project to provide tools and knowledge to local council decision-makers to implement PB in their cities.
Challenge: Enable citizens to participate in the decision-making process and increase transparency and accountability in public spending.
Methodology: The project was carried out in three stages:
Results: The project resulted in the successful implementation of PB processes in several Portuguese cities. Decision-makers were empowered with the necessary knowledge and tools to carry out PB processes efficiently and effectively. The implementation of PB processes increased citizen engagement and participation in the decision-making process, leading to greater transparency and accountability in public spending.
Conclusion: The project demonstrated that providing support and capacity building to local council decision-makers is crucial for the successful implementation of PB processes in Portuguese cities. The project highlights the importance of empowering citizens to participate in the decision-making process and ensuring that public funds are allocated and spent in a transparent and accountable manner.