2024 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"
18th Edition
Durham : Humanizing the Budget Process Through Participatory Design and Innovation
Durham Participatory Budgeting (PB) launched its initial cycle in the autumn of 2018 to involve residents in decision-making on public fund allocations, marking the city as the second in North Carolina to adopt PB. PB Durham is a vital link between the City of Durham and its inhabitants, empowering communities to voice their priorities effectively.
During the inaugural cycle, PB Durham engaged over 10,000 residents and students, receiving 500+ ideas in the idea-gathering phase. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Durham City Council allocated $1 million to support organizations assisting those affected by the crisis and combating racial, economic, and social injustices in the city. PB Cycle III, which started in 2022, prioritized equity, innovation, and community empowerment rather than mere fund allocation. PB Cycle III focused on promoting equitable outcomes through projects and fairly involving the community.
The winning projects of this cycle include Security Measures at Durham Housing Authority, Lighting at Parks, Sustainable Park Improvements, Pedestrian Safety on East Trinity Avenue, and Teen Equipment at Recreation Centers. The city made efforts to engage residents facing barriers to participation in PB processes, including children over 13, justice-involved individuals, and low-income communities of color. The idea-collection phase attracted diverse participation, with notable percentages of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino/submitters and engagement from youth and those with lower incomes.
The voting phase saw over 12,000 residents participating, including a significant representation of Durham Public Schools students. Targeting underserved communities and fostering diversity, Cycle III aimed to gather 60% of project ideas from areas classified by an equity map. Through comprehensive community engagement efforts like pop-up events and canvassing, over 600 project ideas were collected, reflecting the diversity and needs of Durham's population.
PB Cycle III stood out for its commitment to continuous improvement, incorporating self-assessment, academic partnerships, and direct resident feedback to remain responsive to community needs. The winning projects from Cycle III exemplify the equity-driven approach PB Durham strives for. By engaging diverse populations, implementing projects for the underserved, and enhancing community engagement, PB Durham acts as a beacon of empowerment and inclusivity in Durham's civic landscape.
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It's fantastic to see Durham's PB program continually raising the bar, especially in the United States where there can be doubts about the concept of PB. Durham's program has been a trailblazer in promoting equity and integrating design to enhance residents' project proposals. User testing conducted by the city's Innovation Team was pivotal in ensuring that both paper and online ballots were user-friendly. This initiative exemplifies true innovation!
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