Participatory Budgeting

Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.

In NYC Council Members choose to join Participatory Budgeting in New York City (PBNYC), giving at least $1 million from their budget for the whole community to participate in decision-making. It’s a yearlong process, beginning in the fall with people from each district proposing project ideas. After, community members discuss local needs and develop some of the project into proposals to meet these needs. Through a public vote, residents then decide which proposals to fund. School improvement projects are among those that are eligible for the process. To find out which Council Members are involved with PBNYC and what type of projects are eligible for funding, see the Participatory Budgeting NYC section of the City Council's website below. Before proceeding with a project proposal, you should present the idea to the PA/PTA general membership and the principal.