Deltakelsesbudsjettering

Deltakelsesbudsjettering, often translated as participatory budgeting, is a democratic process where ordinary citizens decide how to spend part of a public budget. This approach empowers communities by giving them a direct voice in allocating public funds to projects that best serve their needs. The process typically involves several stages, beginning with the identification of needs and ideas from the community. These ideas are then refined and developed, often with the help of municipal officials or technical experts, into concrete project proposals.

Following the proposal development phase, citizens engage in a deliberation and voting process to select which projects will receive funding. This voting can take various forms, from in-person meetings to online platforms. The ultimate goal of deltakelsesbudsjettering is to foster greater transparency, accountability, and civic engagement in public spending. It aims to ensure that public resources are used more effectively by reflecting the priorities and desires of the people they are intended to serve. This participatory model can be applied at various levels of government, from local municipalities to regional bodies.