PB: Global visions and getting the job done

Participatory Budgeting (PB) has developed in other countries far beyond what English politicians are willing to discuss. Portuguese activists have produced valuable compendia in English of how to do effective PB, without reproducing existing inequalities. Some local councils in England have realised that they can act without waiting for the Westminster talking shop.

PB has been working in Europe for a long time, where community-based approaches are seen as desirable in contrast to the timidity often displayed by English politicians, even during the present crisis. This initiative in Paris is a striking example although not explicitly part of PB.

Nelson Dias has been committed professionally to developing PB for 30 years, focusing on the importance of thorough discussions to develop realistic implementations of agreed needs. He has been employed as a consultant by the UN in Cape Verde, the World Bank in Mozambique, Mexico, the Russian Federation and various Portuguese local authorities. English-speaking readers interested in the full scope of PB worldwide can refer to the impressive guide he has co­ authored, entitled Hope for Democracy, and another compendium the PB Atlas.

A recent initiative in two areas, near Lisbon, is the development of PB in micro communities, such as municipal public housing neighbourhoods. Two young residents of the neighbourhood - the PB ambassadors - have received training to join the coordination team for this initiative.

Two London Boroughs, Newham and Brent, have been featured in newspaper articles about PB recently: both are Labour-run.

Brent is currently reviewing their progress on PB and felt that now was not a good time for an interview. Sadia Ur-Rehman discusses the PB model that Newham has chosen to implement. People can begin a change without waiting for Westminster.
I talked with Nelson and Sadia by email for The Prisma, and the full conversation can be read with links and images, here:

https://theprisma.co.uk/2023/07/10/pb-global-visions-and-getting-the-job-done/