Date of label : 29/10/2024
The image captures a moment of unity and camaraderie among a diverse group of people in a professional or educational setting.
Summary
Valongo’s participatory youth budget is aimed at young people (aged 6-35) living or studying in Valongo (PT). It gives them the power to decide how part of the municipal budget will be allocated. For the 11th edition, the amount allocated will be EUR 250 000, distributed among 25 winning projects, which corresponds to EUR 10 000 for each project. There are four project categories: School, Generations, Community and Green. The aim is to foster the involvement of young people in the community so that they feel heard.
The solutions offered by the Good Practice
Valongo’s participatory youth budget encourages participation from an early age in public decision-making, so young people feel heard and involved in the community. It also takes advantage of the opportunities arising from projects of this scale.
The participatory budget cycle is divided into two phases:
- Decision: Involves preparing and submitting proposals, recording a pitch to support the campaign process, canvassing for votes, evaluating proposals, the vote itself, and publishing the results.
Implementation: Involves the implementation of the most voted projects, according to the previously defined budget allocation.
This cycle culminates with the inauguration of the project. A unique plaque is created for each project, including the name of the person proposing it, which is unveiled in the presence of a politician.
Started in 2014, the participatory budget has completed 10 voting cycles and is on its eleventh, with progressively more ambitious budget allocations, rules and methods of participation.
Given the years of experience of the Valongo participatory budget and the need to continually improve the process, so that it is both an effective instrument for promoting youth participation and a school of participation for young people, the municipality has invested in an impact assessment study.
Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach
Valongo's participatory youth budget uses an integrated approach to encourage projects having environmental, economic and social benefits.
Environmental: Young people can propose and vote on the Green project category, which contributes to environmental sustainability. Examples include the creation of green spaces, community gardens, and initiatives for waste reduction and recycling.
Economic: The approach prioritises spending on projects that are most needed and valued by the community, ensuring more efficient use of public resources. It also ensures that public funds are allocated to projects that directly benefit the community, including those that support small businesses and local markets.
Social: Social inclusion is present since engagement in decision-making strengthens community bonds and encourages active citizenship. It builds capacity because young people gain valuable skills in budgeting and civic engagement, empowering them to subsequently take on leadership roles within their communities.
Based on participatory approach
Participation is important at all stages of the process:
Public Call for ideas: Young residents are invited to submit project proposals, ensuring a wide range of ideas are considered.
Workshops and meetings: The municipality organises events to help young people develop their proposals, ensuring that all voices are heard, and that participants understand the process.
Educational support: Schools participate by incorporating the participatory budget into their curriculum, encouraging students to get involved, and providing a platform for them to develop their ideas. Parents also encourage and support their children’s participation in the process, ensuring they have the guidance they need.
Open voting process: The selection of projects is done through a public voting process, allowing the community to choose the projects they believe are most beneficial.
Clear criteria: The criteria for project selection is transparent, ensuring that participants understand how decisions are made.
Public announcements: Results of the voting are publicly announced, reinforcing transparency and accountability.
Involvement in implementation: Young volunteers are often involved in the implementation of the projects, providing hands-on experience.
What difference has it made?
Key results include:
- 100% implementation rate.
- 380 projects submitted for voting.
- 119 winning projects
- 95 153 votes in all editions.
- EUR 1 190 000 invested directly, and EUR 500 000 invested indirectly by replicating highly relevant projects throughout the territory.
- Replicated projects include 28 Future Classrooms in primary schools, and Outdoor Gym Parks distributed across parishes.
Some conclusions from the impact assessment study of Aveiro University:
- From the start, the participatory youth budget reflected a political commitment by the municipality to promote a culture of citizenship.
- It is not an isolated initiative, but part of a broader change in municipal practices and policies.
- The gradual increase in the number of implemented projects allows for more proposals to be addressed, and a greater territorial coverage.
- The sustainability of the participatory process for voting was demonstrated by its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Valongo’s participatory youth budget has served as an inspiration for other participatory budgets, nationally and internationally.
Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities
The participatory youth budget is a model for enhancing young people’s involvement in the community, fostering sustainable urban development, and promoting inclusive governance.
It is relevant for other cities because it promotes:
- Civic engagement.
- Government transparency and accountability, which are crucial for building trust between citizens and local authorities.
- Identification and funding of projects that meet the needs and preferences of the community.
- Fresh and innovative solutions to local challenges.
Valongo’s participatory youth budget contributes to broader agendas:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions).
- Urban Agenda for the EU.
- EU Youth Strategy, and the 11 European Youth Goals.
It promotes active citizenship and empowers young people, aligning with national policy in Portugal, especially the National Youth Plan, where participation is one of the key areas of intervention with young people.
Participatory budgets are easily replicated to any context, where there is a political will to do so.
The Valongo team have shared their experience with several other municipalities, including Ílhavo, a Municipality in Japan (through the Network of Participatory Municipalities). They have also participated at international level in INOVA Juntos (Innovate Together) in Brasil.