participatory budgeting
Pissoirs and PB
The phrase participatory budgeting (PB) is widely recognised but perhaps not fully understood – at least not in the way that it’s being practised elsewhere in the world. PB Scotland is hosting a major conference later this month at which some of the US and Canadian experience of PB will be shared. In many other countries, PB is completely normal and has been mainstreamed for years. For instance, Paris commits 5% of its capital spend (£89m) to a participatory process. That’s the equivalent of 45 euros for every citizen – no wonder Parisians engage in such numbers.
By The Guardian
Arnaud Carnet was crossing Paris on his bicycle one day when something strange caught his eye: a dilapidated old urinal stationed at the foot of the high walls of the last operational prison in the city.
This graffitied, ripe-smelling structure was far from a standard street pissoir. Carnet discovered that it was in fact the last remaining 19th-century vespasienne urinal in the city. He decided he needed to save it.
“It no longer conforms to the comfort standards of today,” he says of the urinal (an understatement). “But it’s a piece of heritage and it’s in a terrible state in the middle of the boulevard – it’s not possible to just leave it like that.”
In January, Carnet submitted a proposal to restore the vespasienne to Paris’s participatory budget scheme, which allows residents to vote on how they want the city to spend €100m (£89m) – 5% of its capital budget.
The urinal is “part of the great Parisian history of public sanitation,” he says, though he admits he’s never used it himself. “The participatory budget is an opportunity to give it a second youth.”
Carnet’s project was one of 430 that went to public vote between 6 September and 22 September this year. Sadly for him, the vespasienne was not one of the 11 major projects and 183 smaller propositions that earned enough votes to become reality. Instead, Parisians chose projects that ranged from better recycling facilities to upgraded cycling infrastructure to programmes to help women who are experiencing homelessness. Read the rest of this entry »
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns
There is still (just!) time to apply to this fund if you have a project which will enhance health, wellbeing or community links in Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven or St Cyrus. Forms and FAQs are available from Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount, Stonehaven, the KDP office 42 – 46 Barclay St, Stonehaven, and What’s On Inverbervie shop, 75 King St, Inverbervie. The closing date is next Friday 26 May, so don’t delay, apply today!
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns is nearing the end of this year’s application phase!
Do you have an idea for a project which will help make a positive difference to health, wellbeing or community links for Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven or St Cyrus?
If so, you could apply for up to £10,000 from a total available fund of £30,000. There is still time to submit an application for this year’s funding before the deadline of Friday 26th May.
Application forms are available from:
Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount, Stonehaven
KDP Office, 42-46 Barclay St, Stonehaven
What’s On Bervie Shop, 75 King St, Inverbervie
You can also download the form from the website: www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/Application-Form-South-Mearns-2017
What is this?
This is an exciting initiative where decisions on which projects get funding are made not by politicians or officers but by the people who will benefit the most – the people who live in the Coastal Strip villages of Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven and St Cyrus. ‘Participatory Budgeting’ as this process is known is all about removing barriers and getting communities directly involved in local decision-making – putting the power in the hands of the local community.
Who can apply?
Anyone who has an idea that will benefit people living in the eligible Coastal Strip villages above. This can be any community group (including informal groups), voluntary or non-profit organisations.
Where can I get further information?
If you would like some advice or support with making an application, please get in touch – we have a team of advisors who would be delighted to help.
Email: yourvoiceyourchoiceKandM@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Tel: Aberdeenshire Council Community Planning (01569) 768327
Your Voice Your Choice Drop-in Sessions
The Participatory Budgeting initiative is aimed at improving health, wellbeing and community connectedness in the Mearns coastal villages of Inverbervie, Gourdon, Johnshaven, Benholm and St Cyrus. Groups and individuals interested in applying for a share of the £30k funding are warmly invited to come along to informal drop-in sessions to find out more. These will run from 10am – 1pm then 7pm -9pm as follows:
Monday 8th May – St Cyrus Hall
Tuesday 9th May – Harbour Bar, Gourdon
Visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Your-Voice-Your-Choice-Kincardine-Mearns-1682423285392707/ for more updates, or contact Lesley Robertson on 01569 7683274 for further information.
Feedback: Community Empowerment Conference June 2016, Laurencekirk
Community Empowerment is big and supported by new legislation. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act received Royal Assent on 24 July 2015.
Local partners is Kincardine & Mearns are putting in efforts to prepare themselves and communities for the opportunities it is bringing and the event held in Laurencekirk on June 16th was part of this. Read the rest of this entry »
New website for participatory budgeting in Scotland launches
PB Scotland is a new website for sharing and learning about the great work being done by participatory budgeting (PB) initiatives around Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government, the website will provide updates on events, policy and resources relevant to PB in Scotland, and
profile good examples of PB across the country and beyond.
Visit PB Scotland at: http://pbscotland.scot.
K&M Communities 