Pawtucket Central Falls Participatory Budgeting
Title
Pawtucket Central Falls Participatory Budgeting
Description
In 2023, the Pawtucket Central Falls HEZ organized a participatory budget process to vote on how to spend $385,000 for projects to benefit community health. This technique has been used in Brazil since 1989 as an anti-poverty measure and democratic decision-making method, and it is now being used in the U.S.
A residents Steering Committee created the rules and framework for the process and took the lead with Youth Equity Leaders in collecting more than 600 ideas from residents. Next, 40 “Change Agents” worked in committees with resident facilitators to turn these ideas into 11 project proposals. Then, like a government election, voter education and get-out-the votes campaigns were launched.
A residents Steering Committee created the rules and framework for the process and took the lead with Youth Equity Leaders in collecting more than 600 ideas from residents. Next, 40 “Change Agents” worked in committees with resident facilitators to turn these ideas into 11 project proposals. Then, like a government election, voter education and get-out-the votes campaigns were launched.
Creator
LISC Rhode Island
Date
2023
Format
MP4
Language
English
Citation
LISC Rhode Island, “Pawtucket Central Falls Participatory Budgeting,” CDC Museum Digital Exhibits, accessed October 23, 2026, https://cdcmuseum.teachingatlanta.org/items/show/1608.